Research commissioned by Great British Racing to support the launch of National Racehorse Week has revealed a disconnect with animals and the countryside among the West Midlands’ city dwellers, including the startling finding that over one third (34%) of 12-40 year olds has never seen, or can’t remember seeing, a horse in real life.
Across the UK as a whole, 27% of those surveyed had not seen, or could not recall seeing a horse ‘in person’, rising to 50% of 18 to 24-year olds.
Coming into close contact with a horse is also something that many of those surveyed in the West Midlands have never experienced or could not remember doing. Almost four in ten (37%) have never been physically close to a horse (within two metres) and 45% have never touched one.
Photo credit: National Horse Race Week / Chris Hughes
Across the UK, 34% of city dwellers surveyed have gone through life without ever coming into physical contact with a horse.
This may be explained by the fact that people in cities aren’t venturing into the countryside frequently. Nearly two thirds (65%) of people surveyed in the region had not visited the countryside in the last year, while 6% have either never visited, or can’t remember ever visiting, despite 58% saying they would like to do so more often.
There is clearly an appetite among people to remedy the situation: 35% of those surveyed in cities across the West Midlands said they would like to have contact with animals more regularly.
If people living in cities can spend more time with our four-legged friends, it is likely to have a positive impact on their wellbeing, with 82% of those in the region saying they feel happy when they do get a chance to be close to animals.
The research was commissioned by Great British Racing to support the launch of National Racehorse Week, a nationwide annual celebration of the racehorse and a chance to see first-hand the love, care and attention that goes into looking after them.
Commenting on the research findings, Gabi Whitfield, Acting Head of Welfare Communications at Great British Racing said:
“Spending time in the countryside and coming into contact with animals is excellent for our well-being and is something we want to encourage everyone to do more of. With almost four in ten people in the West Midlands’s cities having never seen a horse up close, National Racehorse Week is the perfect opportunity to put that right, and to experience first-hand the outstanding level of care these beautiful animals receive.”
From 10-18 September 2022, in an experience like no other, over 150 events across the country, including training yards, studs and retraining centres, will open their doors to the public to show what life as a racehorse is really like. Places are free and you can book your tickets to attend at nationalracehorseweek.uk.
TV personality Chris Hughes, who is a racehorse owner and ambassador for National Racehorse Week said:
“The impact of getting up close to a horse cannot be underestimated. And racing has created a unique opportunity through National Racehorse Week to help people meet these incredible animals, experience the life of a thoroughbred and talk to the dedicated teams who care for them 365 days a year. There is nothing quite like this in any other sport. More than 11,000 places will be available to book free of charge at locations up and down the country with everyone welcome to join.”
This year’s event will be bookended by the open days taking place at major racing centres including Epsom and Malton on 11 September and The Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket on 17-18 September, with trainers across the country, together with studs and aftercare centres, opening their doors to the public throughout the week.
In the West Midlands, trainer Ian Williams will open his Worcestershire yard to the public on Thursday 15 September, when guests can tour the stunning facilities of Dominion Racing Stables and meet some of the equine residents.
Olly Murphy’s exciting yard in Stratford-upon-Avon opens on the same day, when he will also host a visit from a local school; while Dan Skelton’s Warwickshire yard will be welcoming Summerfield Stables for their own private visit – Summerfield Stables is an inner-city equestrian centre in Birmingham, which supports children who are struggling for various reasons, helping to grow their confidence and arm them with skills for use in later life.
For more information check out: National Racehorse Week
