Tuesday 26 February 2002
Telstra Theatre
Australian War Memorial, Canberra

The horse has been human companion, worker, performer, competitor and means of transport since ancient times. These diverse roles have many different implications for horse welfare, from the pressure for excellence in the competitive horse to the disposal of Œunwanted¹ feral horses. Equine husbandry is steeped in tradition and myth, but with the input of science and new technologies, many traditional practices are now being re-examined and the treatment of horses generally is coming under closer scrutiny.

The 2002 RSPCA Scientific Seminar, Equine welfare: balancing tradition and science, focussed on four areas of concern for the welfare of the horse ­ (1) the demands of performance and competition, (2) the cost of neglect and inexperience, (3) re-assessing traditional practices in horse management, and (4) dealing with the unwanted horse. A group of experts in equine health and welfare were assembled from Australia and overseas to address these issues. The Seminar was chaired by Professor Ivan Caple of the University of Melbourne and opened by the President of RSPCA Australia, Dr Hugh Wirth.

Programme

Introduction from the Chair Professor Ivan Caple, Chairman NCCAW and RSPCA Australia Scientific Advisory panel,
Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne Summaries of talks

The contribution of equine science to horse welfare
Professor Reuben Rose, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Addressing the demands of performance and competition through science
Assoc. Professor David Evans, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Welfare issues relating to the racing of 2-year-old thoroughbreds
Professor David Hodgson, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Cruelty to horses- the work of the RSPCA
Steve Coleman, Acting CEO and Chief Inspector, RSPCA NSW

Welfare issues relating to the ownership of the hobby horse
Dr Penny Trevor-Jones, University of Western Sydney

Housing and management of the stabled horse
Professor Andrew Clarke, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne

Stereotypic behaviour in the stabled horse: causes, effects and prevention
Dr Paul McGreevy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Conflict behaviour in the domestic horse and how to avoid it
Andrew McLean, Australian Equine Behaviour Centre

Controlling wild horse populations (the wild horse killers)
Assoc. Professor Kevin Stafford, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Studies, Massey University

For a complete summary of this seminar please click here to download » (140k document - print friendly)

This project is supported by the Commonwealth Government through a grant-in-aid administered by the Department of Finance and Administration