Researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) are undertaking a hugely important survey of sport horse breeding in Ireland. To this end a detailed and easy to complete questionnaire has been emailed to a large number of horse producers and breeders.

According to the research team: “Survey answers will be used to understand the general structure of sport horse breeding in Ireland, the challenges breeders face and an overall snapshot of the value of the sport horse sector to the Irish economy.”

It is also emphasised by the researchers that the data obtained from all answers will remain anonymous. In order to encourage participation Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has also contributed a prize draw for trips to important international equine events whenever they resume. People can opt to be part of the draw and in that case contact details will be necessary.

Summarising the purpose of this exercise the organisers say: “Research findings will be presented to government to identify opportunities to support sport horse breeders in Ireland.”

Fact searching

This survey will enable those championing the sector to approach Government ministers regarding funding there with solid, well-researched facts in hand.

We know that at the moment some world leaders shun the truth and the facts that go with it. Some commentators even refer to what they call “alternative facts” or refer to what they do not like as “fake news.” So it is solid facts that this survey seeks and one can only hope that these will emerge.

So what are the kind of facts they are after?

The researchers say they want to discover the exact numbers of horses by age category that are involved in the sport horse industry, the number of people employed, the costs of raising and producing a young sport horse, veterinary, stallion and feed costs etc.

The process is easy – just a matter of ticking relevant boxes and moving on to the next question.

They just want the facts. So do get ticking!

One final note on facts – I once had a wonderful working donkey who would drive perfectly on grass or on a dirt track. But when it came to a bit of newly tarred road he just stopped dead because by not knowing the facts he saw it as a deep black hole. More than ever we need the facts for any future negotiations on government funding for the Irish Sport Horse industry.