news Jenny Hall appointed Head of Welfare for Retraining of Racehorses

Dr Jenny Hall, the current Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee and former Chief Veterinary Officer for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has been appointed Head of Welfare for the charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) with immediate effect.

Prior to her current senior FEI appointment, Hall was team vet to the British Three-Day Event team at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics and then Veterinary Services Manager to LOCOG at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

She served in the role of Chief Veterinary Officer for the BHA for four years, leaving at the end of 2016. She has also worked in equine veterinary practice in Lambourn and acted as a Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon at Epsom Downs, Sandown Park and Kempton Park.

Di Arbuthnot, RoR Chief Executive, said: “As well as being a hugely respected veterinary surgeon, Jenny’s great strength is the depth of her understanding of both the racing and equestrian sport worlds, an asset of considerable value to RoR.

“She has long been an advocate of RoR’s work and appreciates the wide range of disciplines that thoroughbreds can adapt to in their post racing careers. Furthermore, she fully understands what the Head of Welfare role entails, along with the charity’s stated objective of providing a nationwide infrastructure that protects the welfare of former racehorses.”

RoR is British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. As Head of Welfare, Hall will be responsible for identifying and assessing former racehorses deemed ‘vulnerable or unwanted’ and monitoring their progress within RoR’s Vulnerable Horse Scheme. Using a network of approved rehoming centres located around the country, the scheme takes in on average 100 horses a year and oversees their rehabilitation and rehoming.

She will also work closely with recognised welfare organisations, such as World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA, in promoting and protecting the welfare of former racehorses.

Hall succeeds Dr Jeremy Mantell, who resigned from the post in August. Previously, Brigadier Paul Jepson was RoR Welfare Consultant for five years.

Di Arbuthnot continued: “In terms of our welfare strategy, RoR’s approach in recent years has been one of prevention being better than cure. Through education progammes and the staging of hundreds of classes and competitions, we have developed a genuine demand for former racehorses in the wider equestrian world. In addition, we have in place, through the Vulnerable Horse Scheme, a safety net to take in and care for those former racehorses that could be at risk without RoR’s intervention.

“Jenny will oversee this side of the operation, building on the work done by Paul Jepson. As the focus on all welfare related issues in horseracing increases, we recognise how important it is that RoR continues to develop its welfare role and ensures that the interests of former racehorses are protected throughout their retirement from racing.”

Jenny Hall, RoR Head of Welfare, added: “My entire professional career has been dedicated to the health and welfare of equines, and in particular the Thoroughbred. I have worked extensively with racehorses and I am committed to supporting and improving the care these amazing athletes receive. This role provides me with the opportunity to make a worthwhile contribution towards ensuring former racehorses receive the levels of care they deserve.”