RACING TO RELATE – Thoroughbred Assisted™

About us

Racing To Relate is a small independent charity recognised by The International Forum For Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and their official retraining charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and an increasing number of international racing authorities and their respective official Thoroughbred welfare and aftercare bodies. Our methodologies include veterinary-led research and specially commissioned international pilot schemes as well as analysis and reporting on the use of off-track Thoroughbreds within the wider Equine Assisted Services (EAS) context.

We have pioneered a collaborative research PhD with the University of Bristol (UOB) with the aim of developing an evidence-based standard for selecting and educating post-racing Thoroughbreds for EAS. The John Pearce Foundation has very kindly funded this PhD study which represents a significant component of our long-term R&D aims under our Thoroughbred Assisted™ banner.

We are incredibly grateful to have received guidance and crucial early stage funding from established organisations including The Childwick Trust and The Voice of Racing – The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, generous support for our PhD research project by The John Pearce Foundation and The Down Royal Corporation of Horsebreeders for our latest Thoroughbred Assisted pilot project.

How to support Racing To Relate

Collaborate

Participate

Donate

Why support Racing To Relate?

Our Mission

Racing To Relate adopts a holistic, evidence-based approach to help protect the welfare of Thoroughbreds after careers in racing and breeding, in particular to support horse-centred transition and re-employment of retired racehorses in Equine Assisted Services.

Our Vision

Global communities of practice collaborating to support ethically sustainable Thoroughbred-Human relationships where horses and people flourish.

Better Understanding of and Access to Equine Assisted Therapy

One of our priorities is to gain a better understanding of the diverse ways in which horses are incorporated into programs to assist people, and how former racehorses might fit into this picture, both now and in the future and to develop evidence-based guidelines on selection and retraining for EAS in collaboration with the Racing, Retraining and EAS sector.

How?

How ?

Empathy

Advocacy

Research

Dissemination

Implementation

Collaboration & Engagement :

Thoroughbred industry
Equine Assisted Sector
Equestrian sectors
Equine health, behaviour & welfare
Medical and Mental health & behaviour
Researchers and academic institutions
Governments & NGOs

Evidence-based storytelling

Pilot Schemes

Events

Our Strategic Aims

Benefit / Stakeholder Beneficiary Value

Informed, evidence-based leadership on use of thoroughbreds in equine assisted therapy.
Improved access to equine assisted therapy.
Enhanced equine and human welfare in this sector of activity.

Capacities

Engage and align stakeholders, developing effective partnerships (including charities with similar and/or complimentary objectives)
Ensure high quality research and information.
Develop effective and joined up advocacy.

Learning & Growth

Effective communication ensuring shared understanding and buy in to our strategy.
Ensure adequate specialist / technical expertise.
Gather and disseminate sound research and evidence.

Resources