Racing alarm as Werribee equine centre to shut emergency services and reduce hours

Victoria’s horse racing community has sparked animal welfare concerns as the equine hospital at Werribee is set to shut its emergency and 24-hour services.

International horses at Werribee Trackwork ahead of the 2019 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

The equine hospital at Werribee is to close its emergency and 24-hour services by the middle of the year, sparking horse welfare concerns among Victorian trainers, breeders and owners.

The Melbourne University-run U-Vet hospital will “rationalise” the operations of the centre which offers treatment for breeding and injured horses, as well as support for the Werribee international quarantine centre run by Racing Victoria.

The centre will remain open for some treatments, but from June emergency cases will no longer be accepted and the hours of operation will shrink to 8am to 5pm weekdays.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock owner Darren Dance said the loss of emergency services and limited opening hours would be a major blow to trainers and breeders, and feared for horses’ welfare.

Darren Dance from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

“What happens when I have a sick foal at three in the morning? Mr Dance said.

“It’s going to leave us with no facility to treat sick foals and horses in the area.’’

Mr Dance said his business has spent $300,000 in the past five years at the centre, keeping horses alive and fit for racing.

“So we have to ask ourselves, do we continue to breed in Victoria or do we relocate, or just walk away from the game?’’

The closure of the services as breeding season approaches has also alarmed breeders.

Trainers also need after-hours services for Melbourne night and twilight meetings.

Racing Victoria’s veterinary services general manager Grace Forbes last night emailed all of the state’s 800-plus trainers, advising them of the impeding changes.

Equine clients would be referred to facilities at Goulburn Valley, Ballarat, Narre Warren, Bendigo and Euroa in the meantime, she said.

“Our commitment is to ensure the current level of veterinary services provided to horses’ racing in Victoria continues, and we will take every necessary step to ensure this support is provided to racehorse trainers and owners,’’ Dr Forbes said.

The equine centre is based at U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital

The cost-cutting measures come after the Herald Sun revealed in December concerns that the equine hospital was under threat as the university cut costs and shed 450 jobs.

About 20 employees are being offered redundancies while equine vet staff are being offered work in the U-Vet small animal clinic.

A university spokeswoman said the equine centre would remain open as a research hub and the provider of clinical services to clients and research partners, including the racing community.

“The equine centre will continue to provide equine clients with referral lameness investigation and treatment services, and advanced diagnostic imaging services like radiology, ultrasound, scintigraphy, standing CT, and high field MRI.’’

The centre also runs an acclaimed program researching equine limb injury prevention.

Vet students will also move to the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital at Congupna near Shepparton for their practical experience.

Equine specialists are concerned about being pushed into jobs outside their field such as treating small animals.

A Racing Victoria spokesman said it had been liaising with the university over the changes.

“RV will continue to work closely with the UoM to understand what impact this will potentially have on the racing industry,’’ he said.

@IanRoyall

Originally published as Racing alarm as Werribee equine centre to shut emergency services and reduce hours