The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will host its webinar on the role of behaviour change in equine welfare next week. Scheduled for Tuesday, 24 October, the webinar will be led by applied behavioural scientist Dr. Denise Goodwin and moderated by renowned media personality Caroline Searcy. It will begin at 11 a.m. (BST).
The IFAR webinar will focus on who needs to do what differently in horse racing and how to achieve those goals. The webinar is free, but registration is required. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. To register, please click HERE.
“I hope the session provides people with some practical approaches for understanding and tackling some of the challenges that currently exist with equine welfare,” said Denise. “Alongside some behaviour change knowledge, the presentation will include some reassuring and practical examples of what is happening in the aftercare of racehorses.”
Denise’s presentation will examine why behaviour change is necessary, three common mistakes in changing behaviour, the importance of problem definition, and drivers of behaviour. A question-and-answer session will then follow.
Co-Director of Health & Social Programs at BehaviourWorks Australia, at Monash University, Denise specialises in translating research evidence into policy and practice. She also serves as a member of Racing Victoria’s Equine Welfare Committee, where she applies her skills to help promote the safety and welfare of the racehorse at all stages of the horse’s life.
“It is important for horse racing to embrace the research that is available to us and apply it into meaningful change within the industry,” said IFAR Chair Di Arbuthnot. “Denise’s vast knowledge on the subject will help us all as we work to improve the welfare of our equine athletes.”
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses