Racing To Relate
Why Research ?
Kindly funded by the John Pearce Foundation
"Although there is a wealth of evidence to suggest we humans benefit from Equine Assisted Therapy, there is - as yet - little research on the role of former racehorses in this field. Sensitive, responsive, and used to being handled by humans, they can be uniquely suited to supporting people in need; but what traits makes an individual horse right for the job? What is the best practice for retraining horses for this purpose? How can we ensure their welfare even as they help people with theirs?
At a time when racehorse welfare is gathering significant global attention, Racing To Relate CIO stepped up and said “let’s find out”. Their collaborative research with the University of Bristol aims to create an evidence-based standard for off-track racehorses working as therapy animals, using their Thoroughbred Assisted platform to share guidelines, champion best practice, and engage with audiences both in racing in beyond. I couldn’t be more thrilled that the John Pearce Foundation is supporting this important step in their journey, joining colleagues at the British Horseracing Authority, the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and the Childwick Trust - to name a few!”
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- Emilie Greener, Charity Manager at The John Pearce Foundation
Collaborative
PhD Research
Project with University
of Bristol Vet School
Funded by The John Pearce Foundation
The Selection and Education of Former Racehorses (Thoroughbreds) for Equine Assisted Services:
Developing the Evidence Base for a Global Standard
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In undertaking this focused research, Racing To Relate gain a broad understanding of the diverse ways in which horses are used within programmes to assist people. It will also indicate how former racehorses might fit into this picture, both now and in the future.
Successful Pilot at
Ballygraffan in NI
Funded by The Down Royal Corporation of Horsebreeders
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The pilot followed the transition of a number of Thoroughbred former racehorses in a monitored training/retraining programme at an EAS facility 'Horses For People' in Northern Ireland.
This experimental cross-industry collaboration was run in parallel with the first ‘Audit’ Phase of the Racing To Relate /University of Bristol PhD and was geared towards complimenting the Phase Two field studies across a number of EAS facilities.
Universal Language of
The Horse Symposium
Deauville 2023
In Collaboration with the Horses & Humans Research Foundation, USA
We had the privilege to co-organise this international symposium which took place at the Longines International Equestrian Centre, Deauville. Speakers arrived from all over the world to presenting on a variety of equine assisted service research.
It was a truly innovative format, bringing research from the lab to the arena, quite literally, featuring a number of live interactive demonstrations with research and equine-assisted practitioners and horses, including former racehorses and Veterans working with horses.
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