Researchers at Hartpury are working with horse racing's Horse Welfare Board, Retraining of Racehorses and World Horse Welfare to run the UK's first census for thoroughbred horses to find out more about their lives after racing. 

Dr Jane Williams, Head of Research at Hartpury explains "It is really important that we have an accurate record of where horses are and what they get up to after their racing careers to help us be prepared for any major disease outbreaks in the equine population to ensure we have enough drugs for example to support horse health. We also want to know more about the relationships people have with their thoroughbreds to showcase how versatile they are and celebrate the amazing animals they are. Understanding more generally will also help the racing industry in their commitment to support racehorse welfare throughout their lives and everyone at Hartpury is excited to support this project."

Hartpury Alumni, we need you! if you currently own a thoroughbred, have previously owned one or know someone who does - please can follow us on social media, spread the word and help us to make the census the most up to date record we can. There are also some exciting competitions coming up during the final month of the census with some great prizes - open to all. 

To complete the census for current horses, please click here

To complete for your thoroughbreds who are gone but not forgotten, please click here

If you would like to find out more please get in touch: jane.williams@hartpury.ac.uk