After the Race

What plans are there for racehorses after they cross the finish line in South Korea?

The main aspects of all this are passion, knowledge and inspiration.

The Korean Racing industry is one of the most up and coming in the world being innovative and constantly developing. However, understanding the current events within Korea in a sense of the aftercare of racehorses has recently been under scrutiny. With the negative light shone upon this, I believe that a sensible plan and opportunities can cause a domino effect of change. Showing a proposal that can be positive in reputation for the company domestically, internationally as well as benefactors and owners. But I believe most important is that the value and correct treatment of the horses themselves are at the heart of all of this.

I understand that being able to get this message of aftercare for these horses will be a long term goal for South Korea however, I believe there is a huge missed opportunity. With the right course of action and plans, I believe South Korea could become a centre of racehorse aftercare. This comes from the help from general society, and organisation professionality but is also hugely needed by the equine community. The need for comprehensive reform falls upon the new generation to address the proper care and awareness of the responsibility for these horses.

With rapidly evolving societal views there must be a way to prove to the general public promoting the good that there is at the end of the race. Thus showing the long-term sustainability of horse racing, giving the challenge to do better. Being able to set a vision that can adapt in its jurisdiction for a long journey that is a racehorse's life. Within the compassionate industry would be able to empower others to join on this path. This responsibility for the horse's lives cannot solely be placed upon the regulators.

This proposal of course is in personal capacity within my own opinion taken from personal experience as well as contemporary forecasting.

The main points of this being

• Normalizing retirement of racehorses - showing their value and versatility

• Shareholder & owner cooperation

• Ambassadors for racing - the horses themselves

• Benefits to society

• Long-term sustainability

• Lead to a positive change in reputation

• Create international communication

• Not one solution, but many goals

After the race, every horse should have the chance at a second life due to general retirement or injury. Giving back to giving opportunities to these horses can be beneficial in many ways. Such as equine therapy; for the general public, team building activities or even to help army veterans. The endless ways horses can help people out weights negative connotations. Letting horses give back a respite from life-changing or melancholy happenings.

The most important aspect of this is having a place for these horses to go to start their new life, containing a strong community I believe to be the key to this. Meaningful change can only come about when people whom are like-minded can come together. This includes owners, trainers, staff, shareholders, and people outside the industry. Anticipating the need for long-term sustainability for horse racing the aftercare is at the center of this.

This change is adaptable, the Korean racing industry will be able to shine a positive light upon its advancement, thus improving its international reputation. From here there are opportunities for international communication in the future interest or investment on a large scale.

Hereafter retirement, if horses are retrained and used within or outside the racing community creates an image for these horses, forming ambassadors for the sport itself. Rehabilitated horses give a second life to them as well as investment opportunities for the equestrian industry within Korea. Giving a path for several high-level performance horses domestically to rise drastically.

Proving racing can be an all-around beneficial force for good within the society, challenging perceptions thus creating long-term sustainability as well as an evolving opportunity.

The proposal of aftercare takes elements from other effective implemented systems combining the main idea. To understand there is no one solution but there are clear paths to goals. Doing so by first categorizing to sort out where each horse would best prosper. This can be in private homes too riding schools to even going to a sanctuary. Thus activating a market demand for racehorse second career, allowing a quality life after race retirement. the future would show the current equine industry within South Korea helping support this transition opening up a huge opportunity to join the sports horse/warmblood and thoroughbred industry.

Breaking the stigmatism and creating a sustainable industry creates an open chance for many future opportunities. Most commonly everything is judged by its weakest point, I wish to change this to show aftercare can be the strongest point in a positive light.

This proposal thus far is a draft of the main idea having many paths but containing one goal, a promise for a better future.

Inspired by the IFAR 2022 Webinar.