![]() ![]() There are no prospective reports on the outcomes for horses after retirement from racing. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. ![]() Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily ( p = 0.03). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8–21) revealed that most horses (108/110 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110 46%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05 p = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21 p = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94 p < 0.001). Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. There was no association between voluntary or involuntary retirement and whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. ![]() Horses that were voluntarily retired (retired due to racing form or an impending injury), had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily ( p = 0.03). Medium-term follow-up (mostly 14 months, range 8–21) revealed that most horses (108/110 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110 46%). The decision for retirement was involuntary, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing in 56/110 horses (51%). It was found that 0.4% of horses in training per week were retired, and the season and training track did not affect this proportion. This study investigated the retirement of racehorses over a 13-month period. Whilst the fate of horses after racing has received widespread attention, there is little research into this field. ![]()
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