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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Used like Pawns or Treated like Kings? How Narratives around...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(19); 3137; doi: 10.3390/ani13193137

Used like Pawns or Treated like Kings? How Narratives around Racehorse Welfare in the 2023 Grand National May Affect Public Acceptance: An Informed Commentary.

Abstract: The 2023 Grand National steeplechase race was delayed when protesters from the animal rights group, 'Animal Rising', gained access to the course just prior to the race. The international media spotlight was focused on what is already a high-profile event and the social licence of both this race and racing in general was scrutinised. Both at the time and for several days afterwards, the general public was exposed to two different narratives from pro- and anti-racing communities. This paper discusses these perspectives and the potential impact on the general public's relationship with racing. Whilst well-meaning and aiming to promote racing, much of the racing industry's commentary inadvertently risked damaging its reputation due to a poor understanding of social licence principles. We explore the reasons for these two groups' alternative perspectives on welfare and suggest considerations for change. Ultimately, if 'the people's race' is to maintain its social licence, the racing community needs to both understand and embrace the concept. Welcoming independent opinions, engaging with different viewpoints, accepting that change is inevitable and, most importantly, being proactive in making changes to prioritise equine welfare will all help racing to move towards greater public acceptance.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-08 PubMed ID: 37835743PubMed Central: PMC10571961DOI: 10.3390/ani13193137Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research commentary explores the impact of negative publicity related to racehorse welfare during the 2023 Grand National steeplechase, and how understanding ‘social license’ principles can potentially improve public acceptance of horse racing.

Protest and Public Perception:

  • The 2023 Grand National race was interrupted by protests from an animal rights group named ‘Animal Rising’. This event attracted international attention, scrutinizing the ‘social license’ – the acceptance and approval granted by society – of horse racing as a sport.
  • There were two distinct narratives presented about horse racing – one from those who are pro-racing and one from those against it. The public was exposed to both narratives, influencing their perception and potential acceptance of the sport.

Missteps of the Racing Industry:

  • The racing industry, intending to protect and promote itself, made comments that may have inadvertently damaged its reputation. This was due to a lack of understanding of social license and how society approves or disapproves of practices and institutions that impact the general public or certain communities.

Alternative Views on Horse Welfare:

  • The paper discusses contrasting perspectives from proponents and opponents of horse racing on racehorse welfare. These conflicting viewpoints highlight the need for the racing industry to better comprehend and address public concerns about equine welfare.

Steps Towards Change:

  • To maintain public acceptance or ‘social license’, the horse racing community needs to understand the importance of public sentiment in their practices. This involves welcoming independent opinions, engaging with various viewpoints, accepting that change is necessary, and implementing proactive changes that prioritize horse well-being.
  • Implementing these steps may help the racing industry to forge a path towards improved public acceptance and maintain its social license.

Cite This Article

APA
Pearson G, Douglas J, Wolframm I, Furtado T. (2023). Used like Pawns or Treated like Kings? How Narratives around Racehorse Welfare in the 2023 Grand National May Affect Public Acceptance: An Informed Commentary. Animals (Basel), 13(19), 3137. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193137

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 19
PII: 3137

Researcher Affiliations

Pearson, Gemma
  • The Horse Trust, Slad Lane, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire HP27 0PP, UK.
  • Easter Bush Campus, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Douglas, Janet
  • World Horse Welfare, Anne Colvin House, Snetterton, Norwich NR16 2LR, UK.
Wolframm, Inga
  • Applied Research Centre, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Larensteinselaan 26-A, 6882 CT Velp, The Netherlands.
Furtado, Tamzin
  • Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Neston, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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