RSPCA Hopes New Grand National Safety Measures Will Help Protect Racehorses
RSPCA Hopes New Grand National Safety Measures Will Help Protect Racehorses Positive talks with the British Horseracing Authority and Aintree management lead to course changes |  |
"The RSPCA has monitored the Grand National for many years and we are thrilled that these new safety measures have been introduced.
"Much has been done to make things better for horses in recent years, thanks to our positive dialogue with the managers of the Aintree course and also the BHA.
"The Grand National is without doubt the most testing jump race in the world and as such will always be of concern to the RSPCA. We will continue to work with the race organisers and the BHA to look for areas where things can be further improved," he said.
New run outs at each fence mean horses will be able to exit the course once their jockey has been dismounted. Previously there were no obvious run outs between the first fence and Canal Turn.
Work has also been done to angle the edges of the jump cores on the take-off side to help prevent injury to the horses. High quality padding has also been added to the jump cores for the same purpose.
The RSPCA has previously been involved with the introduction of other safety improvements at Aintree.
These include:
- More forgiving chase fences, which are rounded, more inviting and have a clear toe boarder, making it easier for the horse and jockey to sight the approaching take off zone.
- Improvements to Becher's Brook, which now has a higher landing zone and a rubberised area over the ditch to help prevent injury.
- A safer approach to Canal Turn by the re-positioning of the running rails to encourage jockeys to use more of the fence and creating more individual space for the horse to jump rather than bunching.
- The provision of going no faster than good.
David has also appealed to jockeys to pace themselves and their horses at the start of the Grand National, to ensure injuries are kept to a minimum.
He said: "It is essential jockeys give plenty of thought to their speed at the start of a race. The Grand National is a long and difficult challenge for both horse and rider. The more tired a horse is, the more likely it is to make a mistake at a fence - and that's when tragedies can happen."
Added on: 01/04/09.
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