Sir, - I recently submitted a comprehensive racehorse aftercare proposal to Horse Racing Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and other stakeholders in horse racing, as documented in The Irish Field (October 19th, “Industry petition call for action on retired racehorses”).

In the November 9th edition, HRI outlined its opposition to all of these recommendations, conceding nothing (“Why centralising the rehoming of thoroughbreds is not the answer”).

Debby Ewing, in turn submitted substantive valid, factual reasons why HRI is incorrect and out of touch in their rebuttal. This was published in The Irish Field on November 16th (“HRI vision for thoroughbreds is way off what’s needed”).

Although HRI appears to have closed the book on this urgent issue, myself and a growing number of individuals working in racing or retraining, will leave no stone unturned in finding a better deal for the animals that the industry depends upon.

To this end, we will continue to make recommendations to the governing bodies until we reach a satisfactory outcome for each an every thoroughbred exiting racing and beyond.

One very simple recommendation to improve traceability of horses is that all sales companies facilitate a change of ownership with Weatherbys before handing a passport to the buyer.

This is a very basic recommendation that, we feel, could be implemented almost immediately.

Small steps. Yours etc.,

Ger Hussey

Horse Welfare Within Racing Ireland

Tyrrellspass,

Co Westmeath

Sir, - It is disappointing to see that the HRI’s director of equine welfare and bloodstock is so reluctant to accept the concerns voiced by many (The Irish Field, November 9th “Why centralising the rehoming of thoroughbreds is not the answer”).

The broad dismissal of Mr Hussey’s proposal, that the industry takes responsibility for horses leaving racing and the high numbers of horses bred for the industry and are unaccounted for, without a credible alternative is, in my view, unacceptable.

Undoubtedly it is a huge challenge and will require serious effort, but that a multi-million euro industry, that is also in receipt of state funding, appears so reluctant to take responsibility for the welfare of the horses that make up the industry is not only tone deaf but very short-sighted. - Yours etc.,

Margaret Coonan,

Sallins,

Co Kildare