Keep horse problems in context - Horse Sport Ireland
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Keep horse problems in context - Horse Sport Ireland
February 13, 2011
Horse Sport Ireland has moved to quell concerns over widely reported equine welfare issues in the country, saying the matter needs to be kept in context.
Dunsink has been an area of major concern for horse welfare agencies.
Ireland's horse problems, branded an equine welfare crisis by the Irish SPCA, have received international publicity, including coverage in the New York Times.
Horse Sport Ireland has described some of the claims made over horse welfare issues in the nation as inaccurate.
However, just two weeks ago the Irish SPCA said the "equine welfare crisis gripping the entire country" was worsening, and called on the government to take increased ownership of the "massive problem".
The SPCA said the issue was threatening to damage the reputation of the Irish horse industry.
Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh said: "While everybody in the sector is very conscious of the need for responsible horse ownership, the way this situation is being presented by some individuals and groups is overstated and unbalanced.
"While there are incidences of straying and neglected horses - which is totally unacceptable - this is a complex societal problem which pre-dates the economic boom.
"Love of the horse is a deep-rooted tradition in Ireland and the vast majority of horses in Ireland are very well cared for by their owners," he said.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) said recent statements that 20,000 horses are abandoned and neglected in Ireland are exaggerated and cannot be substantiated.
"There are incidents of straying horses in some urban areas and in other pockets in Ireland," the organisation said in a statement.
"A small number of these horses are neglected which is unacceptable, but the perception being created abroad that straying horses are all former racehorses or sport horses that have been abandoned due to the economic decline is not accurate.
"The problem of urban and straying horses is a complex societal issue and one that pre-dates the economic boom and subsequent decline. Legislation to deal with this matter of straying horses, namely The Control of Horses Act was introduced in Ireland as early as 1996."
It said the act is is enforced by local authorities. Provisional figures show 1825 horses were impounded by local authorities under the act in 2010.
More than 1000 of these were seized in Dublin, Cork City or Limerick City. Subsequently, 1478 of the animals were actually reclaimed by their owner or re-homed.
"Many straying horses have owners, as evidenced by the reclaim rate at local authority pounds," the governing body for horse sport in Ireland said.
"However, many of these owners have insufficient knowledge on how to look after horses and consequently this occasionally results in incidents of neglect, which is totally unacceptable.
"Our sector regularly produces booklets and information on responsible horse ownership and horse welfare for distribution to our members. However, the challenge is to communicate effectively with horse owners who are not involved in any organised equestrian activities."
It said it was important that horses at the end of their competitive or breeding career were sold to a reputable source for an alternative use.
"However, this is not always possible and, while nobody likes to see a horse being destroyed, humane destruction/licensed slaughter is often the most responsible way of disposing of an unwanted horse.
"There is increased recognition of this across the sector including by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, which comprises representatives from a number of organisations including veterinary and animal welfare bodies."
In 2010, more than 7000 horses were slaughtered in licensed abattoirs in Ireland under official veterinary supervision. This was over double the 2009 number.
Horses slaughtered in licensed abattoirs
2008: Number of horses 2,002
2009: Number of horses 3,220
2010: Number of horses 7,009
Horse Sport Ireland acknowledged that the increase in the production of horses in Ireland had made horses more accessible and reduced their value.
"However, the number of foals being born in Ireland has declined significantly over the past two years. Between 2009 and 2010 the number of foals registered fell by almost 25 per cent."
Foal registration numbers
2008: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 12,419. Non-TB HSI 10,424
2009: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 10,100. Non-TB HSI 9,142
2010: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 7,588. Non-TB HSI 7,004 (to date)
It noted that is a traceability system as effective as that used for cattle, sheep and pigs was introduced, more horses owners could be held to account for the condition of their animals.
February 13, 2011
Horse Sport Ireland has moved to quell concerns over widely reported equine welfare issues in the country, saying the matter needs to be kept in context.
Dunsink has been an area of major concern for horse welfare agencies.
Ireland's horse problems, branded an equine welfare crisis by the Irish SPCA, have received international publicity, including coverage in the New York Times.
Horse Sport Ireland has described some of the claims made over horse welfare issues in the nation as inaccurate.
However, just two weeks ago the Irish SPCA said the "equine welfare crisis gripping the entire country" was worsening, and called on the government to take increased ownership of the "massive problem".
The SPCA said the issue was threatening to damage the reputation of the Irish horse industry.
Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh said: "While everybody in the sector is very conscious of the need for responsible horse ownership, the way this situation is being presented by some individuals and groups is overstated and unbalanced.
"While there are incidences of straying and neglected horses - which is totally unacceptable - this is a complex societal problem which pre-dates the economic boom.
"Love of the horse is a deep-rooted tradition in Ireland and the vast majority of horses in Ireland are very well cared for by their owners," he said.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) said recent statements that 20,000 horses are abandoned and neglected in Ireland are exaggerated and cannot be substantiated.
"There are incidents of straying horses in some urban areas and in other pockets in Ireland," the organisation said in a statement.
"A small number of these horses are neglected which is unacceptable, but the perception being created abroad that straying horses are all former racehorses or sport horses that have been abandoned due to the economic decline is not accurate.
"The problem of urban and straying horses is a complex societal issue and one that pre-dates the economic boom and subsequent decline. Legislation to deal with this matter of straying horses, namely The Control of Horses Act was introduced in Ireland as early as 1996."
It said the act is is enforced by local authorities. Provisional figures show 1825 horses were impounded by local authorities under the act in 2010.
More than 1000 of these were seized in Dublin, Cork City or Limerick City. Subsequently, 1478 of the animals were actually reclaimed by their owner or re-homed.
"Many straying horses have owners, as evidenced by the reclaim rate at local authority pounds," the governing body for horse sport in Ireland said.
"However, many of these owners have insufficient knowledge on how to look after horses and consequently this occasionally results in incidents of neglect, which is totally unacceptable.
"Our sector regularly produces booklets and information on responsible horse ownership and horse welfare for distribution to our members. However, the challenge is to communicate effectively with horse owners who are not involved in any organised equestrian activities."
It said it was important that horses at the end of their competitive or breeding career were sold to a reputable source for an alternative use.
"However, this is not always possible and, while nobody likes to see a horse being destroyed, humane destruction/licensed slaughter is often the most responsible way of disposing of an unwanted horse.
"There is increased recognition of this across the sector including by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, which comprises representatives from a number of organisations including veterinary and animal welfare bodies."
In 2010, more than 7000 horses were slaughtered in licensed abattoirs in Ireland under official veterinary supervision. This was over double the 2009 number.
Horses slaughtered in licensed abattoirs
2008: Number of horses 2,002
2009: Number of horses 3,220
2010: Number of horses 7,009
Horse Sport Ireland acknowledged that the increase in the production of horses in Ireland had made horses more accessible and reduced their value.
"However, the number of foals being born in Ireland has declined significantly over the past two years. Between 2009 and 2010 the number of foals registered fell by almost 25 per cent."
Foal registration numbers
2008: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 12,419. Non-TB HSI 10,424
2009: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 10,100. Non-TB HSI 9,142
2010: Thoroughbreds - Weatherby's 7,588. Non-TB HSI 7,004 (to date)
It noted that is a traceability system as effective as that used for cattle, sheep and pigs was introduced, more horses owners could be held to account for the condition of their animals.