REUTERS, 14th March 2022 (watch on Reuters.com) @ReutersScience @MattReuters
What happens to a horse when it stops racing? Scientists in the UK are developing a global standard for retraining retired racehorses into therapy horses. Rosanna Philpott reports.
We are very excited that our research project with the University of Bristol Veterinary School, funded by John Pearce Foundation has been highlighted by Reuters this week.
They share a glimpse of what represents many months of hard work towards creating a robust methodology, providing rigorous research, collaborative assessment, encouragement and dissemination of best-practice strategies for off-track Thoroughbreds.
The research is only at the ‘audit’ phase and to already see so much enthusiasm in the media is hugely encouraging. If you are involved in the Equine Assisted Sector there is still time to participate in this first phase, the research team want to hear from all programmes working with all breeds of horses to assist people, be that therapy (physical or mental health), learning, personal development and coaching, or indeed whatever terminology you would use to describe your work. This is such a richly diverse sector and finding out just what is going on out there already and understanding more about the programmes and the horses and people involved is a vital first step for our team as they look at how and where Thoroughbreds fit now and in the future in these roles.
So many people helped to bring this piece together, that’s why we’d like to give a huge thanks to everyone who gave their insight, time, talent and permissions for this filming.