A pilot observational study to assess drinking water consumption by racing greyhounds while kennelled during NSW race meetings.

The Commission is responsible for implementing and developing policies related to the welfare of greyhounds. One such policy is the Race Day Hydration and Hot Weather Policy which applies throughout the year at all greyhound race meetings in NSW. A study was recently conducted by the Commission to provide evidence which enables ongoing assessment and monitoring of this Policy. Animal ethics approval was granted to the Commission to conduct the study. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by Emeritus Professor David Brynn Hibbert, University of NSW.

A link to the complete Study Report and Statistical Analysis Report are provided here.

The small pilot study involved measuring the drinking water consumption of 70 greyhounds at 12 TAB race meetings held at Bathurst, Casino and Lismore between March 2020 and April 2021.

Enrolment into the study was voluntary and consent was provided by each greyhound’s trainer for their greyhound to participate.

Participating trainers were surveyed to obtain information on hydration measures prior to and after racing.

The study involved placing each greyhound’s water bowl onto digital scales, before and after racing, to weigh the amount of water in the greyhound’s bowl and to record any spilt water or knocked over water bowls inside the kennels.

Greyhound water bowls were weighed at the following time points:

• When the greyhound was first placed in its kennel during kennelling
• When the greyhound was retrieved from its kennel for its race

The difference in weight, allowed calculation of each greyhound’s pre-race water consumption.

• When the greyhound was placed back in its kennel after racing
• When the greyhound was removed from its kennel to go home

This allowed calculation of each greyhound’s post-race water consumption.

The study included temperature and humidity recordings which were taken outside the kennels (ambient conditions) and inside the kennels to assess any effects of environmental conditions on water intake.

Study Results:

• A total of 70 greyhounds were enrolled into the study.
• 45 individual trainers participated. 3 trainers declined to participate. The overall participation rate by greyhound trainers in this study was very high (94%).
• Trainers/greyhounds travelled on average 49 km to the race meetings, with a range of 3 km to 150 km.
• The study showed that most greyhounds (65.2%) will drink some water prior to racing, however the amount that they drink prior to racing is generally quite low. The average water intake pre-race was 29 mL, with a range of 0 mL to 305 mL.
• 92.2% of greyhounds drank water in the kennels after racing. The amount that greyhounds drink after racing is much higher. The average water intake after racing was 234 mL, with a range of 0 mL to 508 mL.
• Overall, the total water intake (pre-race + post-race intake) for greyhounds during a race meeting was on average 263 mL, with a range of 2 mL to 606 mL.
• Nine greyhounds spilt some water or knocked over their water bowls pre-race and three greyhounds knocked over their water bowls post-race. Use of clips to secure water bowls in place can assist in preventing spills.
• Statistical analysis of the data showed that the distance a greyhound travelled to the racetrack (km) had an impact on water intake – greyhounds which travelled further, drank more water while in the kennels (approx. 2 mL extra water drank per 10 km travelled). This was despite many trainers providing water to the greyhounds while travelling to, or after arrival at the track.
• Greyhounds which raced over longer distances (in metres) drank more water after racing (approx. 50 mL more for every 100 m of race distance). Also heavier greyhounds (males) drank more water than lighter greyhounds.
• Analysis of the data showed that drinking water prior to racing did not impact on a greyhound’s performance (i.e. placing) in the race. Therefore, having access to water prior to racing was not detrimental to the race result.
• ‘Pre-hydration’ measures by trainers, such as providing water on the way to the racetrack; providing water prior to kennelling; or using hydration products (e.g. coconut water, milk, electrolytes etc.) prior to racing, did not affect the amount of water a greyhound drank while in the kennels at the racetrack. These ‘pre-hydration’ measures had no impact on water consumption in this study. This demonstrated that water in kennels is a valuable resource which greyhounds do use, despite being pre-hydrated.
• Ambient (outside) temperatures were between 13.9°C - 31.5°C during the study. Kennel temperatures were between 16.2°C - 21.5°C. Analysis of the data showed that there was no impact of kennel temperatures or ambient temperatures on water intake by greyhounds in this study. However only 16 greyhounds were enrolled into the study during summer and there were no ‘heat affected’ days during the study (i.e. 32°C or above). More research is needed to assess the true impact of high temperatures on greyhound water consumption.
• None of the greyhounds sustained any type of injury or illness relating to consuming water, or as a result of chewing, playing with or knocking over their water bowl.

The Commission suggests that trainers should consider the results of this study, particularly when travelling long distances to race meetings; for greyhounds racing over longer distances; and for heavier greyhounds. The amount of water provided to these greyhounds in the kennels can greatly assist with ensuring that they are well hydrated and recover well after racing.

The Commission would like to thank the Bathurst, Casino and Lismore Greyhound Clubs for their support of this research project. The Commission would also like to thank the many greyhound trainers who participated in this study.

For further details regarding this research project, please contact Dr Kasia Hunter (GWIC Veterinarian) – vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au

Next Steps

Is the Commission going to get rid of the Hot Weather and Hydration Policy as a result of the study?

No, the study did provide some excellent insights, particularly that water consumption prior to racing did not appear to affect racing performance. The results of the study regarding post-race under hydration of greyhounds tends to support the need for water to be provided in the kennels. Generally, however, the sample size of the study is considered too small to reach definitive conclusions.

Will the Commission make changes to the policy?

Not at this stage.  Further research is required.

What next?

The Commission is considering conducting a larger study during hotter months.