Horse Euthanasia Victoria Initiative – Helping Retired Racehorses End Their Journey with Dignity

An Urgent Welfare Gap in the Racing Industry

Horse Euthanasia Victoria Initiative – Helping Retired Racehorses End Their Journey with Dignity . In Australia the transition from the racetrack to retirement for thoroughbred racehorses often ends with unanswered questions. Research shows that while each week roughly 0.4 % of racehorses go into retirement, the outcome for many is unclear. (MDPI)
Another report estimated that about 9,000 horses are slaughtered annually in Australian abattoirs and approximately half of them were ex-racehorses. (Horses and People)
These facts illustrate a troubling reality: many retired racehorses face uncertain futures, and the choice of humane euthanasia is often blocked by cost, access or awareness.

Our Partnership With Racing Victoria

We at The Kindest Goodbye are proud to partner with Racing Victoria under their On-Site Humane Euthanasia Program (OHEP) to ensure that eligible retired racehorses can receive euthanasia and after-care support without the barrier of excessive costs.
Under this program eligible owners can be refunded up to A$660 towards humane euthanasia.
This initiative reflects both a compassionate service offering and a data-driven welfare intervention in the racing industry.

Why The $660 Refund Matters

• Many owners of retired racehorses face escalating veterinary costs, large animal disposal costs and remote location logistics.
• By offering a clear financial contribution of up to A$660 we remove a barrier which might otherwise delay or prevent humane end-of-life care for a horse suffering from chronic injury, advanced age or other welfare concerns.
• This framework offers measurable impact: a tangible financial incentive tied to a welfare outcome.

Data Science Meets Welfare: Measuring Impact

In designing our strategy we refer to industry-data and welfare research:

• Studies on racehorse retirement reveal that musculoskeletal injury is the most common reason for retirement (36 % in one Australian study) and that outcomes post-retirement are rarely tracked. (MDPI)
• Moreover welfare audits show that retired racehorses are at higher risk of poor outcomes in the absence of structured support. (ava.com.au)
  By combining this kind of data with our program we can monitor how many horses benefit, what kinds of conditions led to the euthanasia decision and whether the support model reduces poorer welfare outcomes.

What the Process Looks Like for Owners

1. Owner of a retired registered racehorse (thoroughbred) in Victoria identifies welfare concerns – for example chronic laminitis, irreparable injury, age-related decline.
2. Racing Victoria’s welfare team reviews eligibility under OHEP (horse must be registered, located in Victoria, meet welfare criteria).
3. Once approved the owner engages The Kindest Goodbye mobile large-animal veterinary team for on-farm euthanasia.
4. Vet carries out compassionate euthanasia and documentation.
5. The Kindest Goodbye invoices Racing Victoria (or owner then claims refund) up to the A$660 cap.
6. Data is captured: horse age, condition, reason for euthanasia, location, cost. Over time this builds a data set for analysis and welfare planning.

Why This Matters for Industry and Community

• It raises the standard of care for retired racehorses by making humane euthanasia more accessible.
• It gives owners a clear pathway when welfare issues arise and reduces the likelihood of rushed or sub-optimal outcomes.
• It provides data and transparency in a space where previously outcomes were often unknown or unreported.
• The program supports the social licence of the racing industry by showing a systemic commitment to welfare beyond the racetrack.

Our Commitment and Vision

At The Kindest Goodbye we believe that every horse deserves dignity, respect and support through its final chapter. This partnership with Racing Victoria is a milestone in our mission to bring ethical, affordable large-animal end-of-life care to the forefront.
We commit to:

• Delivering high-quality veterinary care in the field with compassion and calm presence.
• Reporting on the outcomes and sharing aggregated data (respecting privacy) to spotlight welfare trends.
• Advocating for wider industry adoption of similar models across other states and breeds.
• Ensuring that cost does not become a barrier to giving a horse a peaceful, dignified farewell.

Do you own a retired racehorse ?

If you own or care for a retired racehorse in Victoria and are facing welfare concerns, please reach out. Explore whether you meet OHEP eligibility, speak with our team about on-site euthanasia options and let us support you, your horse and your peace of mind.
Contact us at The Kindest Goodbye to learn more about how we work together with Racing Victoria to ensure a gentle ending for horses who have given so much.