Charity becoming sad charity case ..

Byline: Dunwoody

IN THE final part of his series on the mechanics of racing, three-time champion jockey Richard Dunwoody looks at equine charities.

THE current financial crisis is causing plenty of concern in the racing industry.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that prize-money could be cut by as much as pounds 6million next year, because of a drop in levy returns.

It is also bad news for those who have the interest of the horse at heart.

According to Nikki McDonald at The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre in Halton, Lancashire, it is already seeing a massive drop in funding.

She said: "We have the capacity to house 31 horses that we try to re-home each year. There are 27 on the waiting list and we are finding that we are turning away five or six a week. It is getting worse.

"We rely on funding from the general public, because the grant we receive from the RoR (Retraining of Racehorses, British Horseracing's official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing) is nowhere near enough.

"What we receive from them each year would not even cover the running costs for a month."

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is one of only four - along with Greatwood, HEROS and the Moorecroft Racehorse Welfare Centre - that receive funding from the RoR.

Nikki added: "People have less money and they can't afford to keep horses.

"Well-meaning people are going to the sales to buy ex-racehorses that are sold off cheaply with a view to riding them at home, but when they take them home and try them, they find they can't manage them. Because people are feeling the pinch, they are also donating less to charities and we are getting more people who can't afford their horses.

"We have suffered a 25 per cent drop in funding through donations since last September and we wouldn't be the only centre that is suffering."

Roughly 5,000 horses leave the racing industry every year - the same as the number who enter it [+ or -] and only a small proportion live to enjoy a happy retirement.

Owners and keepers have a moral and statutory duty of care for the horses they own andmanage, and are responsible for their horses' health and welfare. A lot of owners and trainers do their utmost to try and find good homes for retired racehorses, but it isn't easy.

There are many horse welfare charities, and 60 of them are members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC), the united voice for the industry on equine welfare matters. Their work includes support for small welfare organisations, making representations to Government and advising individuals.

Of course, there are many welfare issues to think about inside the sport, such as injury, care of horses and the use of the whip. The British Horseracing Association's website www.britishhorseracing.com has an excellent Q & A section on Veterinary Care and Welfare, and is well worth a look.

As for racing charities, unless we all try to do something about it, they will continue to feel the full force of this bitter recession.

Please support their good work if you can.