Equipment, methods of constraint and other aids in horseracing.

After a brief introduction to the most important aspects of the current spo rt of horse-racing the equipment and tack will be described with respect to the horses wellbeing: bridles, tonguestrap, blinkers, saddle and girth. Wi th reference to incorrect equipment for the rider, the wip and its misuse w ill be discussed. Problems with saddling and at the starting gate are often indicators of the incorrect application of aids. Then the misuse of the au tomatic horse trainer, treadmills and swimmingpools will be explained. Fina lly, the three most important requirements for improving the protection of racehorse are summarized: the racing regulations should conform to animal w elfare laws and the application of these laws should be in the hands of an independent veterinary surgeon, who has the authority to enforce its requir ement.