Kuninkuusravit celebrates 100th edition in Jyväskylä, highlights horse welfare issues

This weekend marks the 100th edition of the Kuninkuusravit horse racing event, taking place at Killeri in Jyväskylä. Known as Finland’s largest and most demanding harness racing event, Kuninkuusravit has heightened awareness in recent years regarding issues such as mouth injuries caused by bits, as well as the use of whips.

Heta Rautiainen, a trainer with 15 years of experience working with horses and soon to graduate with a master’s degree in animal behavior science, acknowledges progress but urges for greater attention to the stress caused by sensory stimuli. Rautiainen points out that the festive atmosphere can be a vastly different experience for horses, who intensely perceive loud music and announcements, and can sense stress hormones released by other horses around them.

Research conducted in the UK and US indicates that noise-induced stress can significantly impact a horse’s behavior and physiology. Rautiainen suggests that lowering the volume of music and announcements can be an effective way to reduce sensory overload and promote calmness among horses. Additionally, ensuring that resting areas are located far from the noisy competition zones is essential for their recovery.

The recognition of stress signals in horses can vary among trainers, with some observing signs of discomfort that may be misinterpreted as laziness when they could simply be fearful. Antti Ojanperä, trainer of the pre-race favorite Evartti, states that noise has not been an issue for his horses, who are shielded from sound during competitions and monitored closely for any behavioral changes. In Finland, the Hippodrome employs veterinarians to oversee horse welfare during races, adhering to the growing body of research on how sound affects horses.