The AVA has lodged a detailed submission to Racing Queensland on proposed amendments to the Rules of Racing, reinforcing that animal welfare and racing integrity must go hand in hand.
Developed in consultation with Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) and Australian Veterinarians for Animal Welfare & Ethics (AVAWE), the submission advocates for clearer, nationally aligned regulation that prioritises the health, safety and long-term wellbeing of racehorses.
A key focus is the management of horses that collapse during or after exercise. The AVA is calling for mandatory, timely veterinary examinations, stronger diagnostic standards and specialist oversight where required. Importantly, the framework should not only outline a pathway back to racing but also include welfare-based criteria for permanent retirement and appropriate aftercare where repeated or severe collapse occurs.
The AVA also addressed the use of beta-2 agonists such as clenbuterol for the management of equine asthma. While recognising their therapeutic role, the submission highlights integrity and welfare risks associated with misuse for conditioning or performance enhancement. The AVA recommends treatment remain under veterinary discretion, supported by verifiable diagnostics, with safeguards to ensure medication restores health rather than pushes horses beyond their natural limits.
Other areas of advocacy include retaining meaningful consequences for whip misuse and ensuring veterinary reporting obligations are grounded in clinical significance and the Five Domains of animal welfare, not merely public perception.
The submission reinforces the AVA’s position that robust veterinary oversight, transparent rules and welfare-first decision-making are essential to protecting horses, maintaining public trust, and supporting the long-term social licence of the racing industry.
The full AVA submission can be found here.