Every year thousands of thoroughbred racehorses are retired from
racing for a variety of reasons. It can be to disolve a partnership, where
the horse is sold at public auction, unable to cope with training, either
physically or mentally, doesn't enjoy racing and re-occuring minor
injuries. Unfortunately many owners have little knowledge of horse
welfare and some horses can suffer as a result.
   These horses then often fall into the hands of people that themselves
are inexperienced in dealing with, and again the horses suffer. Retired
racehorses can and do go onto make good hacks, showjumpers, dressage
horses, western, polo, show horses and so on. But only with time,the
right training and understanding.
    Those who wish to give a retired racehorse a good home, can contact
any rehab centre for information on a perspective horse, but do not go
to a dealer. If you have the experience and knowledge to retrain a
retired racehorse you can contact you local trainers, many will have
something that is due for retirement or go to the bloodstock sales, if
you know what you are looking for. The disadvantage of this is you
will have to take the horse on face value.
                  Check out the LINKS page for rehab websites.

  Pictured top right is my previous horse, now at a good home. She ran
just twice as a three-year-old, was rehomed to a young girl who couldn't
manage her as she was too sharp. The mare was then given to someone
who breeds eventers, who'd had her for a couple of years and bred a
foal before contacting me. She'd lived out all that time and wasn't in a
very good state, rainscaled and slightly underweight. I took her on,
I had no idea what she was like to ride or anything, so once she was
in better condition I started working her on the lunge. She couldn't go
round in a circle without almost falling over, but with patience and
perserverence she turned into a lovely horse, very willing to learn.
Although still quite lively, which wouldn't suit everyone, I taught her
some basic western, which she took to very well. Western training can
have a very calming effect on lively, high strung horses. Where the
horse is encouraged to use their brain more.
 
  Pictured right is a friend with her ex-racehorse, who came straight out
of  training. Another very lively character, but very smart with it too.
She had many a difficult moment with her but still managed to get
her reschooled to western training and compete in local western classes.



For more advice e-mail me: lynda@thethoroughbredmagazine.com
EX-RACEHORSES