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Key
longterm strategies
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disease
prevention, diagnosis and treatment
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industry
development, environment and welfare
Background
The
horse industry is one of Australia’s biggest industries and is worth more than
$8 billion a year. There are about 1.2 million horses used for racing,
equestrian sports and recreation, and there is a large breeding industry with
Australia producing the second highest number of thoroughbred foals in the
world, after the United States.
In
1995, RIRDC appointed an Equine Research and Development Advisory Committee to
oversee a national R&D program, following agreement by the then Australian
Conference of Principal Racing Clubs (now the Australian Racing Board) to
provide significant financial support. The Committee oversees the investment in
equine R&D projects of partnership funds from industry and government. Since
the commencement of the program, additional financial support has been received
from the Australian Harness Racing Council, the Equestrian Federation of
Australia, the Australian Stock Horse Society, the Australian Quarter Horse
Association, the Australian Equine Veterinary Association, the Australian
Thoroughbred Breeders Club, Hawkesbury, Mr Gerry Harvey, Magic Millions,
International Racehorse Transport, the Paint Horse Association, Dolly van Zaane
and Ms Barb Vial. The Committee has worked closely with the Australian Horse
Industry Council in promoting and integrating the R&D program to meet the
needs of the horse industry. The Five Year R&D Horse Industry Plan is
reviewed annually by the key stakeholders. A major review to formulate the new 5
year plan was undertaken in November 2000 involving all sectors of the horse
industry and researchers. This review led to the collaborative development of
the new Five Year R&D Plan, 2002-2006, for the horse industry.
Some
Key Performance Indicators
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analysis
and availability of new technologies and their significance for the future of
the horse industry
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data
on the size and economic significance of the Australian horse industry
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identification
of causes, and approaches to management, of major respiratory diseases that are
important to the export/import activities of the horse industry
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information
transfer to the horse industry via symposia, electronic and print media
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information
available on more scientific approaches to training and fitness in athletic
horses
availability of information to assist racecourse managers in racetrack
management.
Strategies
for 2004–05
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develop
research for the diagnosis and treatment of common equine diseases
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research
the problems of the growing and developing horse
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research
reproduction in horses
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research
health and safety issues affecting the horse industry
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research
common problems of racehorses in training
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research
racetrack organisation, development and design
Expected
key outputs in 2004–05
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a
detailed examination of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and the potential
detrimental effects on athletic performance in Thoroughbred racehorses
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development
of an ‘on board’ fitness monitoring system for the Thoroughbred racing
industry
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a
review on ‘tying up’ in athletic horses
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final
report on incidence of musculo-skeletal injuries in 2 and 3 years old horses in
training
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updated
reports on disease surveillance in thoroughbred breeding farms
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a
new independent confirmatory test for total plasma carbon dioxide (TCO2)
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communication
and information programs for the horse industry
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RIRDC
support of Australian Veterinary Association with seminar session at annual
meeting
Expected
key outcomes in 2004–05
provide
the horse industry with the latest research and technical information to enhance
adoption, through the RIRDC web site, newsletter, reports, publications and
books
attend
major horse events and veterinary conferences to disseminate the latest research
findings
continue
our commitment to improve our understanding of common horse problems
advance
our commitment to improve health and safety issues and environmental programs
increase
the awareness of the importance of research and development to horse welfare and
the horse industry.
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RIRDC
