DEVELOPMENT OF A WELFARE INDEX FOR THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSES Alison Glen Mactaggart M. Qual. Psychology A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2015 School of Veterinary Science Abstract A uniform method capable of measuring animal welfare within the Thoroughbred Racing Industry (TBRI) does not exist. The aims of this study were to first investigate the importance of different welfare issues for Thoroughbred Racehorses (TBR) in Australia and then to incorporate them into a TBR welfare index (TRWI) that could be utilised in the industry. The second aim was assisted by the first, which utilised the expert opinion of stakeholders with in the TRWI, highlighting those aspects of husbandry requiring most improvement, and validated with behavioural measures. National and State Associations linked to racing were invited to send two delegates (experts) to a stakeholder meeting to determine key welfare issues, which they considered may have negative equine welfare implications. Following this a survey was created which posed vignettes of different combinations of welfare issues, which was subsequently presented to stakeholders around Australia. Fourteen key welfare issues were identified, each with two to four levels that were related to common husbandry practices. The 224 respondents identified the following welfare issues in declining order of importance: horsemanship > health and disease > education of the horse > track design and surface > ventilation > stabling > weaning > transport > nutrition > wastage > heat and humidity > whips > environment > gear. Further analysis of data tested the statistical significance of demographic factors, which determined that the respondents were relatively uniform in their answers. The TRWI which emerged from the responses could potentially be used to identify and improve welfare in training establishments. The TRWI was validated by an assessment of Thoroughbred racehorse welfare through behavioural observation measures in 13 Thoroughbred racehorse training establishments and by an Australia wide survey of TBR trainers. This determined how key welfare issues relate to the behaviour of TBR’s. By highlighting the most critical aspects of TBR welfare issues the TRWI has the potential to improve TBR practices, lower wastage within the industry, improve TBRI’s profitability, improve the safety of riders and workers, and improve the public’s perception of the industry. i Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis. ii Publications during candidature “No publications” Articles in Conference Proceedings Mactaggart A.G., McGreevy, Waran,N. and Phillips, C.J.C. 2010. Development of a thoroughbred racehorse welfare education index and associated programme for youth groups. Proceedings of the Australian Equine Science Symposium, volume 3 page 66. Scientific meetings Mactaggart, A.G. Development of a Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare Educational and Assessment programme for Youth Groups. Australian Equine Science Symposium. Gold Coast, Queensland , Australia. June 3-5th 2010. Mactaggart. A.G. Development of a Welfare Index for Thoroughbred Racehorses. College Science Week. Scientific Meeting. Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Gold Coast, Queensland. Australia. July 2nd 2011. Mactaggart. A.G. Developing a Racehorse Welfare Index. College Science Week. Scientific Meeting. Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. July 11-13th 2013. Mactaggart. A.G. Development of a Welfare Index for Thoroughbred Racehorses. College Science Week. Scientific Meeting. Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 9th-11th July 2015. Publications included in this thesis ‘No publications included’ iii Contributions by others to the thesis The design and concept of this research project was achieved through discussions and consultations with my principal advisor, Professor Clive Phillips, who also assisted with the analysis and interpretation of research data. Miss Amy Denyer contributed to the data collection by assisting in the continuous recording of the behaviour of stabled Thoroughbred racehorses. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree ‘None’ iv Acknowledgements Firstly I thank Professor Clive Phillips, my principal supervisor, for his immense patience and encouragement, his meticulous guidance, and correction of papers, especially with statistical methods and data analysis, and for his inspiration during the entire duration of the study. Without his kindness, enthusiasm, generosity of time, and comprehensive review, I would not have been able to complete the Thesis. I express my sincere gratitude to my co-supervisor, Professor Natalie Waran, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, for her help and guidance, her encouragement, support and inspiration throughout the whole process of developing the Thesis and especially for facilitating at the Stakeholders’ meeting. My sincere thanks and gratitude to Professor Paul McGreevy, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia, for his help and commitment, his guidance and encouragement during the early days of developing the Thesis, especially his assistance at the Stakeholders’ meeting, and in the organisation of the Stakeholders’ survey. Their valuable contribution, understanding and encouragement is greatly appreciated. In thanking all those who supported and helped me in the development of this Thesis special mention is due to the Thoroughbred breeders and racing trainers and their staff for their generosity of time, their interest and kindness, and the many discussions of Thoroughbred management and behaviour, for which I am indebted. I especially acknowledge those Thoroughbred racing Trainers who allowed myself and my assistant, Amy Denyer, Reading University, England, to carryout observations in their stables. I give special thanks to Amy, who worked tirelessly with me in continuously recording the stable behaviour of Thoroughbred racehorses. I am also indebted to the University of Queensland and The Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics for providing the funds for Amy’s accommodation, at the University of Southern Queensland, while collecting observational data from TBR training establishments in Toowoomba and on the Darling Downs. My sincere thanks to Ranvet Pty Ltd.,for the welcome donation of 16kg of “Salkavite”. This provided an added incentive for trainers’ to complete the Trainers’ Survey and enter an optional draw, resulting in an improved response rate. v I am most grateful to Dr.Kris Descovich, Dr.Vivek Gusumany and Ms Michelle Sinclair for their valued technical assistance, and Ho Vu for his considerable assistance and guidance with the Saw Tooth Software program, once again of immeasurable importance. To all the volunteers, who helped during my research and observational studies, I am indebted for their freely offered help and assistance. A special mention, to my grandchildren, especially Dougald, Phoebe and Fergus Mactaggart, for their generous help with various software programs and formatting, as well as addressing survey envelopes, and general computer help, my most sincere thanks. Special thanks are also due to Zina Hulbert for her computer help during the early days of developing the Thesis. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge and thank the University of Queensland, especially the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, and the School of Veterinary Science, for the opportunity to undertake this research. I value and greatly appreciate this opportunity and thank the staff and all those who study in the School of Veterinary Science, especially Kris, Ben, Karen, Eduardo, Vivek, Joy, Andrew, and Michelle from the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, for their support and friendship. vi Keywords thoroughbred, racehorse, husbandry, index, welfare, training Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) ANZSRC code: 070799 Veterinary