Ex-racehorse Life

Ex-racehorse champions at Greatwood Open Day

2009-06-11T11:19:00.004+01:00

Some celebrity ex-racehorses will be strutting their stuff at Greatwood's Open Day on Sunday, 14th June. Bindaree ( former Grand National winner turned dressage star!), New Seeker, Cool Dawn and Edredon Bleu are just a few of the former champions who will be parading to delight the crowds. Also there, of course, will be Greatwood favourites Deano's Beano, Montendre, and Potentate, as well as all the current ex-racer 'guests' in the various stages of their rehabilitation.

As you'll no doubt already know, Greatwood Retired Racehorse Centre, ( on the A345 just outside Marlborough in Wiltshire) is a charity that relies on donations to fund its tremendous work rehabilitating and rehoming ( where possible) ex-racehorses that have fallen on hard times. ( And there are an enormous number of them these days!) Not only that, but Greatwood has now expanded its activities so that children with special needs can visit and interact with the horses. Two 'Special Needs' groups helping each other ! - the way the world ought to be.

So, the annual Open Day is an important opportunity for Greatwood to show what it does, and hopefully attract those much-needed funds and sponsorships. This year's event is sponsored by William Hill, and will be a fun-packed occasion. Apart from all the horses, there will be a display of working sheepdogs ( and ducks and geese!) by Bob Hogg,as well as various family entertainments, trade stands, refreshments, and a picnic area.

Tickets cost just £5, and children under 12 get in free. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Sunday 14th June 12.00noon - 4.00pm
For more info tel: 01672 514535

Royal Predica - Veteran Champion

2009-06-09T12:06:00.004+01:00

Ange and Perds have done it again ! Royal Predica won the Veteran Section in his TB/ex-racehorse class at Devon County Show , and came 5th overall. Not a bad achievement for this ex-Grand National steeplechaser who had never even seen a showring when Ange got him just over two years ago. Ange is thrilled. "He was an absolute star," she says. "He was sooo chilled, and went the best he's ever gone."

Perds' preparation for the show had been delayed due to him having a cough, so schooling and getting fit had only really been possible in the two weeks prior to the big day. Just proves, you can't keep a great champ down ! Well done, Ange and Perds.

ROR Showing classes rule change

2009-05-14T11:43:00.008+01:00

Some of the extra funding given to ROR by ROA is to go to supporting development of the ex-racehorse showing classes sponsored by ROR and Tattersalls. This is great news, as these classes are a wonderful opportunity for ex-racers to prove how well they can rehabilitate and strut their stuff successfully in the showring, once allowances are made for their history and any blemishes they may have acquired during their racing careers.

So often, otherwise beautiful and well-schooled ex-racers have been marked down because their legs carry the honourable battlescars of their racing days. In other cases, recently re-schooled ex-racehorses new to showing have lost out due to typical new-ex-racer behaviour letting them down compared to their less-lovely, but better-behaved, competitors. So, showing classes just for ex-racehorses are a much-needed development.

Precise judging criteria varies, depending on which organisation is sponsoring the classes, but generally allowances are made for racing-acquired blemishes , the length of time the horse has been out of racing, and the amount of rehabilitation progress made. In the ROR classes, judging is as for normal Riding Horse classes. Each horse is ridden by the judge, and marked separately for conformation and action.

This year, ROR has amended the entry rules so that every horse must have actually raced. In the past, any Thoroughbred that has 'been in training' was eligible to enter. This meant that some horses - perhaps already singled out for a showing career - have merely spent a few weeks in a race-trainer's yard to qualify for ROR and other ex-racer classes. They then left the yard as physically ( and psychologically) perfect as they went in, ready to trounce more genuine ex-racers in the showring. The rule-change will put an end to this, and leave the true battle-hardened ex-racehorses a level playing field to compete on. It will also make it easier for the amateur owner/riders, with their less-than-perfect ex-racers, to compete against the better-resourced professional producers.

The ROR/Tattersalls showing series is now in its fifth year with qualifiers’ nationwide going forward to the final at Hickstead's Show Jumping Derby meeting from 25th to 28th June (exact date to be confirmed). Those who qualify after the South of England Show in June, compete in the final in 2010. Judges will be from the RoR panel.

Coming dates are here:

MAY 3rd & 4th May* - LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Leicestershire10th May - NEWARK & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SHOW, Nottinghamshire Results: 1st TROPPI GUAI - Rebecca Peace; 2nd DOUBLE SPEY - SALLY Beeden; 3rd RUSTY PLUMBER - Miss D. ParkerVeteran - TROPPI GUAI15th May - ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW, Berkshire 23rd May – DEVON COUNTY SHOW, Somerset 23rd May - HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Hertfordshire23rd May* - HEATHFIELD & DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SHOW, East Sussex24th May* - HAMBLETON SHOW , Yorkshire27th May - SUFFOLK SHOW, Suffolk 28th May - ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW, SomersetJUNE 6th June - MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW , Staffordshire 11th June - SOUTH OF ENGLAND, West Sussex QUALIFICATION FOR HICKSTEAD 2010 17th June* - YORKSHIRE SPORTS HORSE SHOW, Yorkshire 20th June* - EAST OF ENGLAND, Cambridgeshire23rd June - CHESHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Cheshire24th June* - LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Lincolnshire27th June* - POTENTIAL COMPETITION HORSE SHOW, Merseyside28th June* - DERBYSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Derby25th to 28th June - FINAL 2009, Hickstead Derby Meeting (exact date to be confirmed) JULY 7th to 10th July - THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW, Stoneleigh 19th July - KENT COUNTY SHOW, Kent 24th to 26th July - TATTERSALLS IRELAND/WARD UNION SHOW, Ireland25th July* - BORDER UNION SHOW, Roxburghshire28th July* - RYEDALE SHOW, Yorkshire 28th to 30th July* - NEW FOREST & HAMPSHIRE COUNTY SHOW, Hampshire AUGUST 1st August* - BICESTER & FINMERE SHOW, Oxfordshire13th August* - WALES & WEST HUNTER SHOW, Monmouthshire23rd August* - NOTTS DERBY CHARITY HORSE SHOW, Derbyshire 31st August* - EDENBRIDGE & OXTED SHOW, SurreySEPTEMBER 5th September* - DORSET COUNTY SHOW, Dorset9th September* - NATIONAL HUNTER SUPREME CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW, Buckinghamshire12th September - THE BRITISH ELITE HORSE SHOW, Lincolnshire12th September - ROMSEY SHOW, Hampshire19th to 20th September* - ROYAL COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, Berkshire

ROA gives more to ROR

2009-05-12T11:24:00.004+01:00

In other words - the Racehorse Owners Association is boosting its annual donation to the Retraining of Racehorses organisation - which is great news, especially in the present economic climate, when all horse owners and carers are feeling the pinch. This is from the ROR website:

Racehorse owners, mindful of welfare concerns, have taken steps to bolster the funds they give to Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), as racing's central charity involved with promoting the welfare of the industry's retired racehorses.
The Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) has approved that the surcharge paid by racehorse owners on entry fees will be increased from 50p to £1 as from 1st May 2009.
Michael Harris, Chief Executive of the ROA, said: "The increase is a response to the ROA's concern about the welfare of retired racehorses and the need to ensure that there is an effective structure in place to monitor and respond to their needs. We hope it will enable RoR to continue its excellent work in promoting the options available to retired racehorses."
Peter Deal, Chairman of RoR, said: "This is terrific news. Unsurprisingly, RoR's funding is under pressure this year and, at the same time, we are expecting greater demand on our services. It is really very reassuring that the owners are prepared to increase their support, and the ROA Council agreed so readily, particularly in this current climate. This demonstrates again the responsible attitude of owners towards the welfare of their racehorses."

So well done, ROA and ROR - carry on the great work you both do.

Grand National to dressage - Royal Predica makes the leap!

2009-04-20T11:54:00.005+01:00

What happens to Grand National runners when they retire from racing ? If they’re anything like Royal Predica, they start a whole new life and career !

This big and beautiful chestnut gelding ( 16.3 hands and gorgeous – see photos! – despite some old battle-scars) won some £126,000 racing, mostly over the big chasing fences. He started his career as a 3-year-old in France, then went to UK trainer Martin Pipe’s yard to race over jumps. He won numerous chases – at Ascot, Warwick, Aintree, etc – over a long career, and in 2003 won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham at odds of 33-1 ! He tackled the Grand National no less than four times, completing the course twice to finish 8th and 12th. As he got older, he did a spell of point-to-point racing too. The snag there was that, due to his impressive reputation and form, he was usually asked to carry a stone more in weight than the other runners. So, great horse though he was, he wasn’t very successful.

Around this time, some three years ago, Anj Hughes was looking for a horse. Her friend Helen ( herself the proud owner of another famous ex-racer, Akarus) had a contact at the training yard and heard that Royal Predica was available. Anj saw him and fell in love. After a nail-biting few days, when another party was interested, the deal was done and Anj carried Royal Predica off to her Devon home for a whole life-makeover. His racing days were over – it was on to new stuff. And a new petname – ‘Perds’.

At first, says Anj, he was a typical racehorse – quick to take off at the gallop ( “an exhilarating experience, to say the least!”), a bit too handy with his back legs ( they knicknamed him Pistol Pete), and quite ‘institutionalised’, in that he was only used to the strict routine of a busy racing yard. He also had a scary nap-spin-rear trick that took some sorting out. “The first Boxing Day he was home,” recalls Anj, “I went to go on a circuit and spent 45 minutes in the same spot! Now, though, he may hesitate a minute, maybe bounce a little, but then he will settle and carry on. Loads of tight circles, and my hand on his neck for encouragement and reassurance, have worked wonders.”

Now, Perds is “the perfect gentleman” to ride in company ( though sometimes a bit sharp and playful when out alone). “ He cruises round the village as if he owns it.” He’s good and quiet to handle too, though Anj has to add that he still kicks holes in his wooden stable, flicking a back leg “just to hear the noise”!

He is a fantastic hunter. Hedges and ditches are easy-peasy for this Grand National veteran, and hunter trials are a piece of cake. Not only that, but Perds has also turned his hooves to both dressage and showing, with great success. He made his showring debut ( with Helen aboard) just six months after leaving racing, and drew admiring compliments on how well he was taking to his reschooling. This year, Anj has entered him in the Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier at the Devon County Show in May, as well as the Honiton Show in August.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, of course. In particular, Perds has had a lot of time off due to foot problems. “He’s got typical TB feet,” explains Anj. “He’s had several bouts of pus in the hooves, and then a piece of flint pierced his sole, so now his feet are padded in front.” But good farriery and remedial diet mean Perd’s hooves are steadily improving.

So Royal Predica, now 15 years old, is really enjoying life. He has a 2-acre paddock which he shares with Tara, a Connemara-cross mare, with the stable doors open 24/7 for free access. The yard owners, meanwhile, provide a constant supply of apples, carrots and polo mints. And with all his new activities – hunting, showing, dressage, hacking out ( sometimes ride-and-lead with his girlfriend Tara) - Perds is never bored. Like many ‘retired’ people, his life seems fuller, if less strenuous, than ever.

“I’ve ridden loads of horses in my 52 years,” says Anj “ but none quite like Perds. I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity to not only ride, but to own, the most athletic, speedy, intelligent, comfortable horse in my life. He’s my sports-car in that midlife crisis ! I love him to bits, and he has a home with me for life.”

Grand National winners parade

2009-04-08T12:14:00.005+01:00

There are ex-racehorses - and then there are ex-racing superchampions ! It was lovely to see eight of the Grand National's former winners strutting their stuff before the grandstand once more as they paraded before last Saturday's big race.

They may be leading quieter lives now than in their super-champ heydays, but they still all looked marvelously well and happy. And probably twice the weight they used to be ! Some looked more like chunky-hunky hunters than racehorses - and all had a very contented air.

Leading the parade came Miinnehoma, at 26 the oldest surviving Grand National winner and showing some venerable grey patches now. He won the National in 1994 for trainer Martin Pipe, with Richard Dunwoody in the saddle. Even at his great age the old warrior looked in good shape.

Then came Rough Quest ( winner 1996), and Lord Giyllene ( 1997) who is now enjoying life back at Hilda Clarke's. Papillon was led up by Katie Walsh, sister of jockey Ruby who rode Papillon to the winner's enclosure in 2000. A real family affair, Papillon was trained by Ruby and Katie's father, Ted Walsh. Pappillon is now a much-loved family pet.

Glowing chestnut Red Marauder looked rather smarter and shinier than when he battled to victory through the mud-plastered National of 2001, when only four horses managed to finish ( and two of them had been remounted after falls ! One of them was Papillon, under Ruby Walsh. He may not have won that time, but he still earned £25,000 for coming fourth.) Richard Guest, Red Marauder's jockey at the time, now keeps the horse at his Nottinghamshire yard. Richard said : " It gives him a real boost coming back here. He goes away and he's a different horse for a few months afterwards. He lives with us in a field with my fiancee's mare, Annie. He fell in love with her and I fell in love with Alison. He's 19 now and he's looking his age - he's had a few problems but coming here really perks him up."

Next came Bindaree ( 2002) and Monty's Pass, the 2003 winner who, we're told, never forgets he's a champ and is "very bossy" at home !

Last in the parade came the most recent winner, Numbersixvalverde, who won in 2006 and gave jockey Niall 'Slippers' Madden victory in his first-ever ride in the race. Trainer Martin Brassil explained that Numbersix only retired from racing at Christmas last year, so this was his first time in the parade of champions. He certainly seemed to enjoy it, and will doubtless be back for more. It will be a treat to see him, and the others, again next year.

R.O.R Helpline for Ex-racehorse Owners

2009-03-19T14:37:00.004Z

The Retraining of Racehorses organisation has long been a tremendous source of information, advice and support for ex-racehorse owners. Their website www.ror.org.uk is a goldmine of information, whether you need advice on care matters like diet and schooling, or are looking for competitions and events to take part in. They have had an email query service for some time.
Email: asktheexperts@ror.org.uk

Now they have also set up a telephone helpline for worried ex-racehorse owners.

The telephone number is 01780 740773

This is the phone number for the RoR consultants Fred and Rowena Cook of Equine Management & Training. If they are unable to answer your call immediately you're invited to leave a message and they will return your call as soon as possible. The helpline is available seven days a week.

Both Fred and Rowena Cook have extensive experience and expertise working with all types of horses from the various equestrian disciplines whether it be ground training, backing, schooling and jumping young horses or re-schooling and corrective training for older horses. Over recent years more and more horses off the track have benefited from their retraining and progressive schooling programmes, subsequently taking up new lives hunting, show jumping, eventing, dressage etc.

It's good to know that help is around when you need it. ( And with ex-racehorses, bless'em, that can be pretty often !)

Hohlethelonely takes a rain check

2009-03-17T15:33:00.006Z

The 3.40 race at Uttoxeter on Saturday (14th March) showed us an example of a racehorse apparently doing his utmost to become an ex-racehorse. Hohlethelonely (aptly named, since he was left on his own by the tape as all the other horses charged off !) quite simply refused to start. He was decently polite about it - no bucking or rearing or anything unpleasant. He just dug his toes in and said 'No'. And refused to budge.

I know I really shouldn't laugh ( though much of the crowd did, as well as cheering, when Hohlethelonely eventually consented to lope casually past the grandstand on his own while the rest of the field got on with the race.) It must have been bitterly disappointing, and frustrating, for his connections, especially since the horse has won and been placed before. "Plenty of ability, but a bit quirky," was how one TV commentator described him. Too true !

He had cantered down to the start well enough ( as far as you could tell from the TV screen, anyway.) And he seemed to walk up to the starting tape with the others OK . But then there was a false start ( not his fault), and that's where Hohlethelonely seems to have given up on the whole idea.

As the horses regrouped, you could see jockey Sam Thomas working hard on the leg-aids to try to coax Hohlethelonely to join up with the others. All seemed well - until 'They're off !' Well - they were, but Hohlethelonely wasn't. The field charged off down the track, and left him firmly planted behind at the start. You could glimpse poor Sam Thomas kicking away at Hohlethelonely ( who by now was probably being called something else) like Little Jimmy on a stubborn riding school pony, to absolutely no avail. Neither the best efforts of a top-notch professional jockey, nor the call of instinct to follow the herd, had any effect on Hohlethelonely. He had said 'No!', and that was that.

Which just goes to show that:
a) Thoroughbreds are clever beasties with minds very much their own.
b) No-one can 'force' a horse to race if it chooses not to.
c) Sometimes racehorses - even successful ones - just suddenly decide they don't want to do it.

There can be all sorts of reasons, physical and mental, for a horse to refuse to start. No doubt Hohlethelonely's trainer, Venetia Williams, is delving into all this right now and will come up with the answer. It could be something as simple and easy to fix as a small change in diet or tack. Then Hohlethelonely will be back winning races, which everyone knows he can do. But the answer may be something more complex, serious and longterm. It could be that Hohlethelonely was not just being 'quirky' ( ie. naughty, stubborn, and infuriating!), but was saying in the only way he could that he was deeply unhappy with something, mentally or physically. In that case, his connections may be considering giving him a long holiday, or even a retirement package to a different career and lifestyle.

Some horses love to race, and thrive on it. (Sometimes these can be the ones that are hardest to 'rehabilitate' into different, quieter lives. Like human high-achievers, they can seem to get addicted to the adrenalin, find it hard to wind down, and don't enjoy being under-employed.)

Other horses tolerate racing happily enough as an OK day-job. They are the 'good servant' types, that will probably adapt well in any lifestyle. Others hate it all, never settle to it, and don't usually last long because, deliberately or otherwise, they are just no good at it.

Whatever a horse's racing history and success, though, they all have to retire eventually. Sometimes injury ends their careers, or advancing age and slowness. Sometimes, it's a change in the horse's mindset. Their heart is just not in it any more, and they say so in their own way. Who knows what was going through Hohlethelonely's mind on Saturday ? ( Other than the word 'No' !) But if he says 'No' again, as emphatically as he did then, I fancy his connections will be starting to consider giving him a career change!

Ten Tips for Loaning Out Your Horse

2009-03-10T10:54:00.004Z

1. Decide exactly what you want before you start.
Be clear in your own mind what kind of home and workload you want your horse to go to, how far away, and for how long. You can always be flexible later if you choose, but don’t let other people decide these things for you. This will also help in your search for a borrower eg choosing local or national advertising, word of mouth, club networking, etc.

2. Check out all interested parties thoroughly, and don’t rush it.
Unless you know the potential borrower well, ask for formal references. Even if you do know them, check the grapevine and local gossip for opinions on their suitability. Don’t rely simply of personal recommendations (people can have blindspots about their friends.) Explore people’s motives and circumstances. (eg: if a person cannot afford to buy a horse, can they nevertheless afford to keep your horse properly ?) If more than one person is interested, take time to ‘vet’ them all.

3. Do mutual visits.
First, have the prospective borrower visit you and your horse at home, so they get to meet each other where the horse is comfortable. Watch how the ‘candidate’ handles your horse – catching, leading, grooming, tacking up. Then, if the horse is to be loaned for riding (and after you have given an appropriate demo) watch how the partnership tackles ridden work in the school, and maybe on an accompanied hack. If you have any doubts, say no.
If all seems well, though, do a visit yourself to the place where your horse will be kept. Check out all the facilities for safety and appropriateness to your horse’s requirements. If the new home is to be a livery yard, look up their website, and meet the Yard Owner/Manager. Ask him/her about the prospective borrower’s ability to look after and pay for your horse.
Ask about professional and emergency back-up (vet, farrier, dentist) and – especially if the horse will not to be kept on a big yard – cover for holidays and illness.

4. Make clear what the borrower will be taking on.
Take care to plainly point out any physical/medical conditions your horse has which will need special attention. Explain his diet, reactions to particular feeds, any allergies, and particular likes/dislikes. (Note the borrower’s responses to this information.) Make special mention of dates for flu and tetanus jabs, and any other regular treatments.
Be sure, before you agree anything formally, that both you and the borrower are happy with the kind of lifestyle and workload you want your horse to have.

5. Take are with identification
All British and European horses now need to have a passport, but it’s a good idea to take extra measures such as DNA testing, microchipping, freezemarking, etc. Make sure the prospective borrower knows these measures are in place.

6. Don’t be afraid to say ‘No’
If at any stage before making the agreement you feel that something is ‘not quite right’, or that a better loan home may be available, just say ‘no’. It’s your horse’s welfare and happiness at stake, after all.

7. Insist on a formal written Loan Agreement
Essential if you don’t know the prospective borrower – but equally important if you do! It’s vital that both parties understand and happily accept all the conditions of the loan, and that it’s quite clear who is responsible for what, and when, throughout the period of the loan. In particular, the exit strategy for both parties needs to be clear. Informal, verbal agreements (especially between friends) can very easily get forgotten or wrongly remembered – and much trouble and heartache can result.
When loaning to strangers, it may be best to use a solicitor to draw up the agreement. If you do not, then at least make sure you use a well-written document, like the sample on the BHS website.( http://www.bhs.org.uk/ ) Make sure you have it formally witnessed., and both you and the borrower have a copy.

8. Keep records
Take dated photos of your horse just before handing it over, to keep a clear record of the horse’s condition as it left you. This could prevent disputes later on if things go wrong.
Make sure you have all the borrower’s contact details easily accessible and backed up.

9. Stay in touch
Establish the fact that you will always care about your horse and want to be kept informed of its progress. Phone the borrower within 24 hours of the horse arriving at its new home, to make sure it has travelled and settled well. Ask for the borrower to send you photos at intervals (dateable ones are good.) Build in to the Loan Agreement opportunities for you to visit your horse, by mutual arrangement. Visit within the first two weeks if you can, then at intervals, to check on your horse’s wellbeing. Don’t natter – the borrower must be allowed to enjoy the loan! – but keep in touch, send congratulations if your horse has achieved something, enquire after it’s health if you hear it’s been ill, and always be available to offer information or advice if the borrower asks. Also, keep contact with any other people in your mutual network ( vet, farrier, instructor, friends, shows, social events) so that you can get information on your horse from other sources. This will also help to publicly reinforce the nature of the loan arrangement.

10. Amend passport
If the loan is working out well and you both want it to continue long-term, you can notify the horse’s passport issuers, who will note the loan on the passport and their records. This clarifies the owner/loaner situation to any outsiders who may view the passport.

And finally – however successful the loan arrangement is, never forget that the horse still belongs to you, and it’s welfare is ultimately your responsibility.

Horse Loan Arranger to the rescue

2009-02-24T16:07:00.006Z

I had almost committed to a new livery yard for Count. It was seven miles from home base, so not ideal logistically, but the facilities and people looked good.

And then, my friend ( and riding instructor) Laura mentioned a young pupil of hers. Meg was nearly eighteen, and an enthusiastic, capable and sympathetic rider who had long outgrown her pony. She ached for an ex-racehorse, but couldn't afford to buy one. Laura's suggestion: how about letting Meg take Miraed on loan ?

Out of the blue, a whole new scenario to consider! Actually I didn't need to consider long. I'd felt for some time that I'd taken Miraed as far as I could myself. We'd got past the ex-racer tantrums, through the re-schooling, and right up to winning at dressage and taking ridden showing championships. It had been long and hard, but we'd made it and I felt a real sense of achievement.

But Miraed was bored with all that now. ( She's a Lara Croft type of gal, and likes action !) Miraed needed to be going on now, doing more jumping, hunting, eventing - whatever - than I am fit enough for these days. I'd been vaguely looking out for a young ( and fearless!) rider for her ..... And here, it seemed, was the answer. I'd never intended for Miraed to actually leave the yard - but now, if she did, it would make room for Count.

I've loaned out - and borrowed - horses before. It can work very well for all parties, but it can also go very wrong, and it needs lots of checking out and safeguards. This time, though, it was all looking good. Although I didn't know Meg, I knew the livery yard she used very well - the facilities, the proprietors, and several of the horse-owners. I go there regularly for shows and socialising. Miraed would be in a well-run yard, with the same farrier, and same instructor, as before. I would have plenty of 'spies' to monitor her situation! And, lots of witnesses to the nature of the arrangement, to avoid any possible future 'misunderstandings' or wrong-doing. Importantly, Meg had the enthusiastic support of her parents. It was about as safe as these situations can be.

Even so, I took it step by step. First Meg came to see and try Miraed . Her Dad came too - a good sign. Meg stroked and talked to Miraed in a way I liked. We went into the school and I rode first, as you do when showing off a horse. Miraed was not at her most obliging but, thankfully, not too stroppy. Meg then climbed aboard and the two got to know each other while I watched carefully. Meg was quiet and tactful. Miraed tried it on. She jogged, swerved, and ran about with her jaw clenched and her head up in the air. Typical Miraed stuff. Meg sat through it, and then made her behave properly. I was impressed. Miraed is by no means an easy ride suitable for a novice, but Meg quickly had her sussed. After fifteen minutes Miraed had given in and was going sweetly, while Meg wore a great, soppy grin. She was in love.

We discussed loan terms, and I was glad to see Meg's Dad (clearly a horse-lover himself) was actively involved. We agreed a two-week trial.

I delivered Miraed the following weekend. Getting her ready to go, with all her kit, was like sending your kid off to college - and just as emotional. Miraed was finally growing up and going out into the world. When I led her down the horsebox ramp, and handed her leadrope over to Meg, there was a lump in my throat.

Miraed was not in the slightest perturbed. She walked into her new stable, received all the pats and polo mints from the assembled welcome committee, and tucked into her hay. Grub's Ok, job's a good'un!

There was never any doubt about the final decision two weeks later. Meg, and her parents, were both besotted with Miraed, and the yard owners told me the mare had settled in well. I made sure that they, and everyone else, understood exactly the nature of the loan, and in fact the yard owner signed as witness on the formal Loan Agreement.

We used the template of the sample loan agreement from the British Horse Society website. It's very comprehensive, and can be customised to suit your requirements. The BHS strongly advises that a legal advisor checks through any contract you might draw up and agree, but having already checked and used this document in the past I knew it was sound for my purposes. The BHS also advises that you seek references for any potential new keeper of your horse before you agree anything, and also that the keep facilities are approved in advance . Sound common sense - I can't imagine letting a horse go without doing that.

The BHS sample loan agreement can be found at http://www.bhs.org.uk/ . Click on Welfare, then click on Leaflets (at the side). There is a link at the top right corner to the sample contract. Also on this page is an advice leaflet on Loaning and Leasing Horses, which you can download. The direct web page address for this is http://www.bhs.org.uk/content/leaflets.asp?id=20&page=Welfare&area=4

Ex-racehorse livery needed!

2009-02-11T12:45:00.006Z

Count’s arrival presented me with a problem. Where was he to live? The yard had no spare stable for the winter, and even the summer grazing was just about full to capacity.(Yes, it would have been sensible to sort this out beforehand. But sensible and ex-racehorses seldom go together. Sensible can mean missing golden opportunities. I try not to do sensible these days.) I had to find somewhere for Count long-term, with the right facilities for re-schooling a racehorse – and I’d been given only three weeks to do it!

Finding the ‘right’ livery yard ( for those of us without our own personal country estates, ie most of us) is always tricky. So many things have to be taken into consideration: facilities, like types of stabling, amount and condition of grazing, outdoor and indoor schooling areas, off-road riding, and so on; number of other horses present; distance from home; care and management packages offered, safety and emergency measures, and, of course, cost. Not only that, but for people like me, who like to do as much of the ‘looking after’ stuff with their horses as possible, it is also important that the yard owner/manager, and any staff, are happy with this, and don’t get upset by owners coming in and messing up their tidy routines.

The people at the yard are almost as important as the horse facilities. If the management is any way unsympathetic, unreasonable, unhelpful or inefficient, it can affect a horse’s wellbeing and make an owner’s life an anxious misery. Every bit as bad, for an owner anyway, is any type of feuding, cliques or bitchiness.

It’s also a good idea to check out the other horses at any prospective new yard. Ideally you are hoping for happy, calm, well-behaved animals that will be a joy to accompany when out hacking, and will befriend your own horse in stable and paddock. Any nastiness ( eg persistent kicking, biting) , or infectious habits like weaving, or refusal to be caught, or bad behaviour in traffic, should act as big warning signals.

Finding suitable accommodation for an ex-racehorse, where his rehabilitation and retraining can make calm and steady progress, means considering all the above plus some additional ‘ex-racer issues’. Here is a list of what I look for.

The ideal yard for ex-racehorses should have :

Large and airy stables, with other horses in view for companionship.

Facilities for daily turn-out, all year round. Preferably grass paddocks, but an outdoor school, lunge-ring or sandpit is better than nothing. All horses love to roll, buck and stretch their legs, and it’s a great way for up-tight ex-racers to let off steam and relax.

Sound, safe, and well-maintained fencing and gates. Avoid barbed wire if at all possible. Electric webbing fencing is fine so long as the current is ON at ALL TIMES. Slack pig- or sheep-netting is just great for getting horses feet caught in it.

Constant clean water supply, in field and stable.

Well-maintained, clean and plentiful grazing, for summer at the very least. A regular poo-picking regime is a must.

Safe schooling area. Outdoors or indoors ( both would be great ) Indoors is super-safe for scatty recently-retired ex-racers – but used exclusively does not fit them for riding outdoors later on. An outdoor manege with a high, solid-looking fence ( post and rail, sleepers, etc.) is fine for all re-schooling activities, and will help your horse to learn to work despite distractions. NB: attempting to school an ex-racehorse in an open field is optimistic, to say the least. In fact – as you soon learn when your ex-racer gets fed up and high-tails it into the sunset, with or without you on board – it’s downright crazy.

A regular, appropriate and strongly-enforced worming policy that covers every horse on the site. ( No good worming your own horse if someone else’s poor worm-raddled beastie is constantly re-infecting the pasture.)

A sensible isolation policy for new horses coming onto the yard. ( Ex-racehorses, having in many ways led cosseted, high-maintenance lives where they have seldom had to rough it , can have lower natural immunities than their humbler horse-cousins. And, if they are unused to field turnout, they may be bullied by their tougher new fieldmates.)

Clearly-displayed safety-and-emergency signs: No-Smoking, Fire Drill, Emergency Contacts, etc. A noticeboard for news and messages is also a good social tool.

Somewhere safe to store your stuff – Grooming box, First Aid kit, lunging line and whip, exercise boots, etc etc. ( I always take my saddles and bridles home with me, as so many yards are burgled for tack these days.) If you are providing your own feed, you will also need somewhere vermin-proof to store it.

Knowledgeable, conscientious and sympathetic yard owner/manager, who cares about the horses in the yard and is neither nervous nor dismissive of ex-racehorses.

Personnel on-site 24/7. I need to know that my horses will be checked last thing at night, and if one starts with colic at 2.00am someone will hear it and take appropriate action.

At least one friendly, sensible person with a quiet horse to ride out with when my ex-racer is having one of its ‘there are wolves out there!’ sessions.

OK, so 13 may be unlucky, and you’ll certainly be very lucky to find all of these points together in one place. You’re likely to have to compromise on something – you pick. I spent a couple of weeks travelling round my locality visiting different livery yards and weighing up the pros and cons for each, trying to discover which would suit Count, and me, the best. It wasn’t easy to choose. And time was running out.

Windsucking

2008-12-01T15:03:00.003Z

Windsucking ( for the benefit of any non-horsey uninitiateds dropping by here) is NOT an new Extreme Sport, nor a racy party game, nor any kind of expletive deleted. It is, though, a very irritating, and occasionally dangerous, bad habit picked up by bored horses.

It involves the horse grabbing hold of almost anything sold – stable door, manger, fence posts, gates, wooden bars or sparring, even metal bars – and then arching his neck and gulping down air with a big grunt. This action forces the air down the gullet into the stomach, instead of into the lungs. There are two direct effects. Firstly, the air in the stomach impedes good digestion. Over a period of time, this makes the horse unthrifty – a ‘bad doer’ – because much of the food taken in is in effect going to waste. Sometimes, the horse can ‘binge’on the gulps of air and actually give himself colic.

Secondly, the grabbing hold with the teeth ( called ‘crib-biting’, for obvious reasons, though by no means limited to mangers ) gradually wears down the teeth in an unnatural way. This can be easily seen by checking the teeth – one reason why it really is a good idea to ‘look (even) a gift horse in the mouth’; at least you’d know what you were getting. The uneven teeth mean that food may not be chewed properly, leading to increased digestive and thriftiness problems. And all that chewing can wreck your stable, fencing and gates !

The primary cause of windsucking, as I said, is boredom, but ( like so many bad habits, equine and human) it can also be sparked off by nerviness and fretting. Some people say it is ‘infectious’, in that other horses in a stable yard, especially youngsters, will copy the windsucker/crib-biter. ( Just as ‘weaving’, that other nervous/boredom habit, will be copied by others.) I have never actually seen other horses copying windsucking myself – it isn’t, in my experience, as ‘infectious’ as weaving. But if a had a valuable youngster I dare say I wouldn’t want to risk it by letting him hob-nob with any horse with these habits.

Sadly, the ‘cure’ isn’t as simple as giving the windsucker more work and mental stimulation – though this will certainly help. Giving up your regular gulps must be like trying to quit cigarettes. Not easy. Traditionally, people have fitted ‘cribbing collars’ –basically a stiff leather strap that is fitted around the horse’s throat, with a heart-shaped piece ( of leather or metal) fitted close by the gullet, to prevent the sucking in of air. Bright horses suss this out quite quickly, and wriggle their way round it.

There is also the surgical approach – by piercing two holes, either side of the mouth. This makes it impossible for a vacuum to be created in the mouth to force down the air. But surgery is surgery – expensive and only to be considered in consultation with your vet, for sound medical reasons.

Unless your windsucking horse is really suffering , you may well decide to settle for removing as many chewable items as possible in the stable ( or at least the ones you want to keep !) and daubing Cribbox , or even something like Jeyes Fluid, on the rest. You can feed your horse off the floor ( more natural anyway) and then keep him as physically and mentally occupied as you can, with work, companionship, regular turnout-and-play sessions, and maybe even stable toys. ( I’ve never yet seen a horse able to crib-bite one of those huge footballs.) Windsucking is manageable – but it can be a darned nuisance.

Not surprisingly, windsucking ( along with crib-biting, and weaving) is officially a stable vice and technical unsoundness. It must be declared up-front by the vendor of any horse with the habit ( however slight or infrequent) – or else the hapless purchaser, on making the discovery, has every right in law to return the horse and demand a full refund.

Not that there was any hint of doubt where Count was concerned. Not only was it right up there in his catalogue entry (‘Has been seen to windsuck’), and announced by the auctioneer as he entered the ring, but Di pointed it out to me personally in the stable, even as she was extolling Count’s many virtues. “He does windsuck – but not all the time. Only a bit. He doesn’t do it when he’s turned out.” Di had a very winsome, winning smile. “And he’s such a sweet horse, he really is.” Hmmn… I had a look at his teeth. Not too bad, actually. And after all, there’s no such thing as the perfect horse…..Sometimes you just have to chose what you are prepared to compromise on.

In fact, Di was totally accurate. He doesn’t do it when he’s turned out – so all fence posts and gates are safe at our place ! But that’s not all. During the few weeks at the end of the summer that Count was able to be out 24/7 ( between winding-down from full training and then coming back inside for autumn nights) he didn’t windsuck at all, neither outside nor in the stable. Even when brought in for saddling-up etc, and for feeding and handling, he never even thought about grabbing and sucking during the weeks he was living out in the field full-time. Now it’s winter, though, he comes in for the night and gets straight in to windsucking for Britain .

This all makes me think it’s partly an anxiety-thing, related to his racing days, and that daily stable routine reminds him of this and triggers the habit. Which then makes me think that, with time and relaxation, together with interesting new work, he may well grow out of it. Certainly hope so; he’s doing terrible things to the stable door !

A Count and a Gentleman

2008-11-29T20:46:00.009Z

Count settled in quick and easy. He didn’t fret or fuss during his 48-hour quarantine and worming, and then was friendly and polite when introduced to the other horses over the field fence. When he was turned out with them, he tactfully slotted in to his lower-pecking order new-boy place and got on with grazing in perfect contentment. For the first few days he was only allowed a couple of hours grazing per day, to help his digestive system gradually get used to a new, high-fibre diet. But, despite the fact he was obviously enjoying the grass and sunshine, he was perfectly easy to catch again. In fact, he would walk up to me with encouraging friendliness and confidence – he obviously liked humans.

He was just as relaxed when the time came to try him out under saddle. ( That’s one of the drawbacks of buying a horse at the sales – you can’t have a test-drive first to see what they are like.) I cobbled together a bridle from my bag of bits-‘n’-bobs ( it’s amazing how much scrap leather you can collect over the years – but some of it always comes in useful in the end), and found a plain snaffle bit that would fit. ( Racehorses are usually ridden in simple snaffles, often loose-ring. So, it makes sense to start off an ex-racehorse’s reschooling with a bit they are familiar with, even though you may need to try something different later on.) Then I tried a couple of saddles before finding that Big H’s fitted, more or less, when perched on top of a cotton numnah, sheepskin fleece and prolite pad. Ah well …. At least nothing would rub !

Then it was off to the school with a lunge rein, a hard hat and a spirit of adventure . Plus, of course, a noble assistant – ostensibly there to scrape up the pieces if anything went wrong, but actually chiefly occupied with making rude comments about my saddle-padding and then taking photos.

Thankfully there was no need for First Aid. Count was the perfect gentleman. He didn’t quite see the point of lunging ( few racehorses do) but he humoured me obligingly. Then, when I went for broke and climbed aboard , he was positively courteous. He actually stood still as I got on from the mounting block ( something I’m still asking Big H to do after two years!) and then carried me round the school in walk and trot ,on both reins, with ears pricked and not a hint of awkwardness. He had lovely paces, did what I asked when I asked, and all with no hint of either jogging or arguing with the bit. He even consented to do circles, both ways, though he clearly thought it was a weird idea.

It looked like I’d found the perfect horse – quiet, kind, intelligent, obedient and good-looking . And definitely one of the most chilled-out, laid-back characters I’d come across in a long while. But why, then, did he windsuck ?

A new Account

2008-11-27T22:10:00.002Z

The dismal, soggy summer we suffered in the UK this year put paid to so many shows, displays, and similar outdoor events – so many cancellations due to rain and mud and haycrops not yet cut ( never cut, in some cases ! ) All that planning and training and preparation – from organisers and would-be participants – was wasted. No wonder some of us felt the need of a little cheering retail therapy occasionally…..

So one drizzly day in August, I took myself off to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales – to meet up with friends ( people converge on the sales from all round the country, so they are good get-togethers), to buy a stable rug from the tack-shop’s bargain box ( always something good there), to ogle celebrities, and to simply gaze at beautiful horses. I did NOT go to buy another ex-racehorse. Emphatically not.

So, I was heading back from my lunchtime sandwich in the grooms’ canteen ( cheapskate that I am, I eat there because it’s cheaper than the main café. And, of course, I can eavesdrop on gossip.) As I wandered up and down the rows of spanking new looseboxes in DBS’s new sales complex, gazing over the doors at the horses inside ( all in this row having now been through the auction ring), I almost stumbled over a girl sitting on the floor, reading a book. It was only polite to chat.

“What kind of horse are you looking for?” she soon asked.
“I’m not!” ( I’m hardwired to say that these days – though it is usually totally meaningless.) “And even if I was – which I’m not – it wouldn’t be a horse for racing. I’m only interested in ones that have finished their racing careers and are looking for a new type of life.”

“Oh, this one, this one!” The girl jumped up and pointed to a chestnut inside the stable.
“AND, “ I added, “ temperament is absolutely key. I can’t do problem horses these days. I need kind, genuine and good-mannered, so…”
“This one, this one!” she said again, nodding vigorously and making her curly hair shake.

And so I was introduced to Count. Proper name King’s Account, a six-year-old gelding by King of Kings out of Fighting Countess. Born in America, he had raced on the flat in UK quite successfully as a youngster – a couple of firsts and seconds, clocking up nearly £13,000 winnings. But then, as so often with young flat-racers, early promise faded, and neither a change to hurdle racing nor a tie-forward operation to help his breathing improved his form. Basically he was just too laid-back for the job. He had last raced just 3 days before, and flopped again, coming 9th of 13 after his jockey lost a stirrup and Count happily slowed down. Now Count’s owner was ill and having to sell. But it was a poor sale-day, bidders were few, and choosey. Count had left the auction ring unsold, attracting not a single bid. Now his trainer’s Head Lass, Di, was stationed outside Count’s stable, doing what she could to attract a new owner from idle passers-by like me.

She did a good job. She told me how gentle, kind, and quiet to ride Count was, how easy he was to look after, what a nice personality he had. She coaxed me inside the stable to meet him close-up…. She brought him outside and trotted him up and down for me, made him stand, turned him in tight circles, picked all his feet up…. Then she told me that the only other person who had expressed any interest was someone who wanted him to do ‘flapping racing’ – racing not under Jockey Club Rules, and a bit rough-and-ready. “And poor Count really doesn’t want to race any more,” she said. “ And we don’t want him to have to race any more, either. And certainly not flapping. The Boss asked me to see if I could find anyone else, do a bit better for him ….” She gave me a LOOK…

And so Count’s trainer was phoned, and after a short conversation a ( very modest) deal was done. Count came home with me.

Ex-racer Parade and Open Day - busy weekend ahead !

2008-09-10T10:16:00.007+01:00

Lots to do for ex-racer fans this coming weekend. On Friday 12th September, ROR ( Rehabilitation of Racehorses) is holding a parade of ex-racehorses at Doncaster Racecourse, as part of the grand St Leger Meeting. The parade will be held at lunchtime ( 12.00 noon-ish, animals and weather co-operating). With ex-racehorses coming from all around to demonstrate how well they have adapted to new lives, it should be a great sight to see.

Then on Saturday, 13th September, the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre , at Whinney Hill, Halton, Lancashire, is holding another of its Open Days. From 10.30am -1.30pm visitors will be able to look around the centre and its facilities, watch demonstrations of rehabilitation work and progress, and of course meet the equine residents. Although entry is by advance booking, I'm told there are still some tickets left, so hit the phone (01524 812649) if you'd like to go. Tickets cost £10 and include refreshments. This will be your only chance this month, as unfortunately the second scheduled day, ( Sunday) has been cancelled. But the two days for October ( 18th and 19th) are still going ahead.

And for anyone hoping to brave the mud and rain on England's soggy showgrounds, there are two shows scheduled for Saturday 13th Septemeber which ( if they go ahead) are holding showing classes for ex-racehorses. Bowes Agricultural Show in County Durham may have to cancel its livestock classes because of the mud, and Rampton Show near Cambridge has yet to make a decision. So- best check with the organisers before setting out.

Good luck to all involved with these events - which take so much planning. Here's hoping the weather is kind.

Additional livestock! - Magic and friends

2008-09-09T14:53:00.002+01:00

Magic arrived from the sales on a Friday evening, and seemed to settle happily into a warm stable and plentiful grub. By Saturday, though, it seemed that I’d bought more than I bargained for – it looked like Magic had brought some little friends along with him; ear mites ! The insides of his ears were covered in thick white crusty deposits.

I knew it could be one of several things, some more serious than others. I had not wanted to poke about too much on his first day, to avoid unsettling him further, but we had a yard quiz to guess what the condition could be. Suggestions ranged from a fungus infection to rain scald to cradle cap (?? Not sure about that one !) I thought it was plaques, but top votes went to ear mites – especially when, the next day being warm, Magic started shaking his head Was it flies, hayseeds – or pesky little mites jigging around in his ears ?

By Monday morning the white crusts were turning distinctly yellow – which signalled infection to me. Maybe the stress of going through the sale ring and moving house had lowered Magic’s immunity a bit, allowing the germs to set in ?

And so the vet bills for Magic started early ! And, it turned out, were a complete waste of time, and money. The young locum vet who came along (holiday relief for the main man) was very sweet. She was no doubt great with cats and dogs, and quite possibly a world expert on rabbits. But she knew very little about horses, it seemed. She was only little, and Magic is very big – so she didn’t actually touch his ears at all! Despite my offer of a standing block, she simply perched on tiptoe, murmured a bit, and then announced it could be one of several things ( well, whatdyknow!), she couldn’t be sure what, but it was infected and needed ear drops, three times a day. And, yes – (in reply to my immediate query) – it WOULD make him head-shy.

Well, she was right about that, anyway. Within two days Magic wouldn’t let me near his head, never mind touch his ears. ( And before the treatment started , he had been perfectly relaxed and happy about both.) Another two days and I gave it up. The treatment was proving worse than the illness – and in any case the yellow crusts had gone and more white ones taken their place. I was quite glad to see them !

Magic still has his crusty ears – it is plaques. They are caused by the papillomavirus and are related to warts, though clinically different. And, though they can look untidy, lots of finer-breed horses get them and generally present no real problems. Plaques are usually caused by flies biting, ( which is why hairy ponies, with hairy ears, seldom get them – because the flies can’t get past the hair to do the biting.) Once established, plaques are difficult to shift. Some people scrape them off and douse with iodine – but obviously risk head-shyness developing . Magic’s previous owner told me, ( some time later) that twice a year they would twitch Magic and then clean out his ears with baby oil, which seemed to keep on top of things. I did this recently, when Magic was sedated for having his teeth done. ( so we didn’t need a twitch.) .

And it has to be said there have been no more problems. For a while in the summer there were a lot of flies around, so I covered Magic’s ears when he was out in the field to prevent them bothering him, but I’ve had to do nothing else. Some horses do get very irritated and sore in their ears, especially if more flies get in, and then soothing ointments, like Mentholatum, can help. Dermofas is said to work wonders for soothing, and even helping reduce the plaque crusts. Thornit powder is also said to be good at reducing the crusts. The problem is always, how to apply such treatments without making the horse upset, sore, and increasingly head-shy? I only tried medication for a few days, but it took Magic several weeks before he would let me touch his ears again, and I had to find ingenious ways of putting on his bridle.

But he’s fine now, crusts and all. Magic has learned to live quite happily with his little plaquey friends – and so can I.

Magic Moments

2008-09-05T18:26:00.006+01:00

Blow in my ear and I'll follow you anywhere!

Wonder what the food's like here ?

Well, folks seem friendly enough....

Magic comes to my life

2008-09-05T18:19:00.003+01:00

I went to York Horse Sales to buy a riding jacket, and leadrope. Maybe two. (These nylon any-colour-you-like ropes are great, but mine always end up getting chewed, broken, or lost. An excellent specification for all who enjoy a spot of horsey retail therapy and socialising.) The auction sales at York (as at most other horse sales) includes a large section for new and second-hand tack and equipment. As at all auctions, you have to be careful you don’t get carried away bidding and end up paying more than you need have, or buying something that turns out to be rubbish. But I have certainly been able to pick up many a bargain there amongst the turkeys I’ve blundered into.

Having done the right thing and arrived early, in time to have a look through the items for sale in the tack section and note the lot numbers of suitable jackets and leadropes ( and reins, and bits, and numnahs, and other highly useful etcs….) I then did the wrong thing and went to have a wander round the horse pens.

Big mistake. ( From my bank manager’s viewpoint, anyway.) Because what should I encounter as I ambled up and down the rows of stables but an ex-racehorse……

There was this big bay gelding, quietly munching hay, accompanied by two men ( father and son, it turned out.) The bay was obviously thoroughbred, so obviously I lingered – from simple curiosity, of course, to pass the time between my tack lots. And I got chatting with his handlers, as you do…..

And so Magic entered my life. Magic Bengie, by full title, a 16.3hh 9-year-old , by Magic Ring, who had raced all his life from the age of 2, on the flat, over hurdles, and steeplechasing. ( With some success, too, winning and being placed ) He had last raced a month before, coming third. Consequently he was still racing-lean, but he was a big strapping lad even so, with lovely conformation – great front and fantastic hind quarters.

And then I was in the stable, with my hands stroking the horse and quietly exploring. I find you can learn an awful lot about a horse by touching it. At first I was a little wary because Magic was showing some of the white of his eyes. “Stop scowling” I told him jokingly. His owner leapt to his defence. “No, he’s NOT scowling! That’s just the way his eyes are. He’s a lovely kind horse….”

I didn’t take much convincing. It was obvious from the calm way Magic continued eating his hay, and the way he put his head down for me to stroke, that here was a well-mannered horse with a gentle nature who liked human company. The fact that his owner, Mr Kirby, clearly loved and cared for him also spoke volumes as a character reference.

But why, then, should this horse be for sale? I asked the obvious question out of curiosity only, since I really did not need or want another horse myself. (Nor was this ‘time-wasting’. When at the sales, anyone showing any interest in a horse automatically attracts interest from other people, who sidle up and eavesdrop… So I was actually helping the vendors’ sales promotion !)

Mr Kirby explained that he owned and trained just a few racehorses on his North Yorkshire farm. He had had Magic for six years and done well with him, but now there were youngsters ready to start racing and, for Magic, as the oldest, it was time to move on. Mr Kirby’s typical farmer’s no-nonsense logic had decreed this, and even decided to sell Magic with a low reserve and no warranty, to prevent any returns – but his soppy sentimental side wanted to try to get Magic a good home.

He asked me what kind of horse I was looking for. “I’m not,” I said, firmly. “I came here for a jacket. And a leadrope.” But we continued talking about Magic, and I continued stroking him. I pointed out his thickened right foreleg ( well, you could hardly miss it !). He’d done that, I was told, four years ago, winning a race. He’d had a year off to recover, and then raced successfully for another three years up till now. ( I later checked this in his racing record, and it was perfectly correct.) He was still sound, I was told. And certainly, the thickened tendon was as hard and cold as living flesh can be. “We think he’ll do eventing, or hunting,” Mr Kirby said. Magic certainly looked that type of horse, and I wished them well. Sometimes event riders do attend York Sales, and lots of hunting folk do. I really and truly hoped that someone like this would like Magic, buy him, and give him a good home and an interesting life.

Only – none of them did. Nobody seemed to want Magic at all. The bidding was slow-to-crawling. I looked round the crowded ringside, willing some nice person to put up their hand to offer Magic a chance. Nothing. After the meat-men bowed out at about 450 guineas, no-one seemed much interested. Except a couple of the gypsy dealers in their usual spot down by the auctioneer’s rostrum. And then me.

Hey-ho – what else could I do…..? So I paid over 675 guineas (about $1000) and Magic came home with me. He came with a headcollar of his own – so I only had to buy the leadrope. Never did get the jacket.

Racehorse Rehoming Centre Show Report

2008-09-04T17:44:00.005+01:00

I've just received this from Tessa Westlake, of the Racehorse Rehoming Centre in Chard, Somerset, reporting great success for their Open Show last month.

The show was a great success, the weather held and the turnout was very good and up on the last two years.
Sadly this year all the clear profit will be used to purchase replacement haylage as we lost our whole crop of winter feed due to the dreadful weather prior to the show. and we are finding out that (of course) haylage and straw will be at an all time premium so, IN one hand and OUT the other.

Also this is the time of year where inquiries come in thick and fast from owners asking for placements for horses they can no longer keep or are retiring through injury from racing. we have just had an request to take in 3 from the same racing yard all with tendon troubles, also its the time of year where inquiries from prospective loanees start to dwindle. So it looks like a long hard winter for us.

The show its self was fun and relatively stress free for most of the volunteers, although the St Johns Ambulance were considerably late in arriving, holding up the start of the Show Jumping and giving me a few palpitations.
And the second lorry to arrive, having taken a incorrect angle into the field, promptly got a back wheel suck in a ditch having to be rescued by our very old but thankfully still virile tractor.

Stan Mellor enjoyed judging the two racehorse classes with the knowledgeable help of World Horse Welfare (ILPH) officer Jeff Herrington and his wife Mary.
Winner of the Show Horse Class was Becky Hunt on Gordys Joy who also took the Performance class and obviously the overall championship.
Happily there were no similarities to the start of the Grand National and only one near miss where one rider lost a stirrup as the horse, aptly named Storm Damage, bronked slightly in his show. Rider Neil Ransford did extremely well to stay aboard! Showing is not Neil's forte, he is best known in the trail/hunting field.

So WELL DONE to all concerned, competitors and helpers. It sounds like it was a great success and a day to remember ! (And I'm intrigued by this 'still virile tractor' ! The mind boggles. Any chance of a pic, Tessa ?)

Ex-Racehorse Class Results from Blair Championships

2008-09-02T16:50:00.002+01:00

CLASS 1 In-Hand Champion of Champions

1st - & winner of Best Veteran Award

- Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham

2nd - and winner of Best Turned-Out Award

- Chasing the Stars and Karen Chisman/Tom Marshall

3rd - Getatem and Jennifer Lister

4th - Billy Bell and Natalie Innes/Sandie Byers

5th - Morteeno and Susan Beaton

6th - Ilsey Star and Alex Allan

CLASS 2 Open Ridden Ex-Racehorse

1st - King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge/J. Craig

2nd - One Step Beyond and Laura Smith

3rd - & winner of Best Novice Horse Award

- Chilalia and Heather Paterson

4th - Dr Deductable and Shonagh Steven

5th - Billy Bell and Sandie Byers

6th - & Best Young Rider under 21

- Judicious Charlie and M Inglis/Aaron Glen

CLASS 3 Performance Horse Class with Jumping

1st - & Best Potential Competition Horse Award

- King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge

2nd - & Best Turned-Out

- Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead

3rd - & Best Jumping Award

- Illegal Alien and Odette Smith/ILPH

4th - Clan Law and Alison Hood/Heather Graham

5th – Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham

CLASS 4 Ridden Scottish Champion of Champions

1st – Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead

2nd – Palabelle and Victoria Adams

3rd – Jad’s Lad and Jacqui Baird

4th – Billy Bell and Natalie Innes

5th – Mormond Lass and Helen Manners

6th – Chilalia and Heather Paterson

Many congratulations to all the prize-winners, and a huge WELL DONE to everyone who took part, demonstrating just how beautifully ex-racehorses can be retrained.

Ex-Racehorse Champions at Blair International Horse Trials

2008-08-23T18:39:00.003+01:00

Meanwhile at the opposite end of the UK, ex-racehorses are on show at the International Horse Trials and Country Fair at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland. Quite apart from the ones taking part in the horse trials themselves, retired racehorses reschooled for the showring will be strutting their stuff when the Ex-Racers Club holds its Scottish 'Champion of Champions' championship on Sunday 24th August.

The championship is supported by ROR, Bailey's Horse Feeds , Feedmark and Mountain Horse. All the entrants have had to qualify by coming first or second at one of the qualifying classes held at shows all round the country throughout the summer - so they really have reached an inspiringly high standard. The winner will receive a trophy from Rehabilitation of Racehorses, and there will be extra-luxurious rosettes up to sixth place. There are also special awards for the best veterans and best junior riders.

The ex-racers classes start at 9.00 am, in the Castle Arena. Day tickets are available at the gate, children under 12 years of age go in free, and there is free parking. It should be a wonderful day's outing, with a wide range of events and entertainments going on. And on a historical note, the Olympic Handover Flag will be raised, to celebrate the moment London becomes the official Host City of the Olympic Games.

Racehorse Rehoming Centre - Open Horse Show

2008-08-21T13:26:00.003+01:00

The Racehorse Rehoming Centre is based in the village of Combe St Nicholas, near Chard, in south Somerset, some 12 miles from Taunton. Run by Clive and Tessa Westlake, ( helped nowadays by a loyal band of volunteers), it was set up some 16 years ago to take retiring racehorses direct from trainers and rehabilitate them for useful second careers. Starting small, as such projects usually need to, it’s now a registered charity with Stan and Elaine Mellor as patrons. It remains a relatively small operation, compared to some of the perhaps more famous TB rehabilitation centres like TRC, but it specialises in providing a quiet and homely environment, set in gorgeous countryside, where stressed-out new ex-racers can relax, chill out, and gain confidence in their new lifestyle.

The horses all get loads of individual attention, so that the centre quickly gets to know their characters, foibles, strengths and weaknesses. Then the re-training can concentrate on the areas best suited to each horse, with a good idea of its future career possibilities. As well as doing basic flatwork in the school, all the horses are regularly hacked out. Then, when they are ready, they are taken on outings – local shows, hunting, pleasure rides, etc – so they are as prepared as they can be to start their new lives in suitable loan/foster homes.

If you want to know more about the Racehorse Rehoming Centre, check out their website here : www.racehorserehoming.co.uk

The important thing right now is that the centre is having an OPEN HORSE SHOW next Saturday, 23rd August – and it is GOING AHEAD, whatever the weather !
Obviously there are to be classes for ex-racehorses, but there are open showing and jumping classes too: - showing starting 9.00am, jumping 10.00am, minimus jumping 12 noon, and clear round jumping all day.( Great for introducing ex-racers to coloured fences). There is also going to be a BBQ and photographer. It should be a great fun day out for all, whether ex-racers or not.

More to the point, Tessa tells me that, due to the awful weather, they have just lost their whole winter haylage crop. Now this would be rotten for anyone, but for a small charity like RRC ( that receives no funding from any welfare organisations, can pay no-one any wages, and relies on goodwill donations) it’s a disaster. SO …. They are hoping for a flood of entries on Saturday, to fund buying in their winter fodder. So come on, all you folks in Somerset and all around – get yourselves over to Combe St Nicholas this Saturday, swamp them with entries, deluge them with donations, barrage the barbie with demands for double burgers….. and help fill that haylage barn to the rafters !

Racehorse to Showhorse - Big H does rosettes !

2008-08-15T15:46:00.004+01:00

Two years on, and a whole heap of therapy later, - (believe me, you don’t want to know ! At least, not now – it would spoil your day.) - Big H has finally made real progress and last weekend blossomed in the showring.

It wasn’t actually his showing debut. We took him to an indoor show just after he first arrived, which rather bemused him. Then 18 months ago, we took him and Miraed to a little local show, in a riding school field, to do some in-hand classes for experience. It was not a success, despite H winning the Handsome Horse class. The plan was that Miraed- by this time an old hand at showing - would settle H and give him confidence. Wrong. Big mistake. All that happened was the two of them bonded like hayseeds to velcro and then kicked up and unholy commotion whenever we tried to prize them more than two inches apart. They caused havoc in the ring, nearly trampled the judge, scattered spectators wherever we went and generally made us the least popular kids on the block. Ah, the joys of ex-racers !

Soon afterwards Big H started with his foot and back troubles ( full story later – promise) which led to him having virtually a whole year off to recover. So, it was only last weekend that Big H finally made it to another show – and this time it was just him and me ! I had no idea how he would behave, since he is a very sensitive horse and can get panicky when he’s on his own. There was only one way to find out.

We got off to an excellent start. He’s always good to catch, but this show morning he was actually laid down when I went to fetch him from the field, and made no attempt to get up till I had the headcollar on him and asked him to stir himself, if he wouldn’t mind. He then walked calmly round to the yard with me without a care in the world. No running-round-catch-me-if-you-can games from him – that’s Miraed’s speciality. When it came to loading into the horsebox, he walked up and in without a murmur. He whinnied a couple of times as we set off, but once I’d reassured him he tucked into his haynet and travelled quietly, even though on his own.

Despite H being so totally obliging, I messed up the timing and we arrived at the show late. The Thoroughbred In-Hand class was just going into the ring. ( I hate being late – so why is it I so often am ?) I splashed a dab of hoof-oil on H’s feet, crammed my hot-and-bothered personage into my showing kit, and tumbled H off the lorry. We almost entered the showring with his tail bandage still on and my tie over my ear. ( NOT the recommended way to proceed.)

Despite all this, Big H was a perfect gentleman, and strolled round like a complete pro. No prancing, barging or spooking, no stubbornness , no scowling and grizzling – just relaxed but interested, ears pricked and handsome, and doing everything he was asked without any fuss at all – even standing, which is not usually his strong point. In fact, the exact opposite of Miraed ! Despite us being late in, and H having some raggy plaits and no quartermarks, the judge gave us third. I was delighted, but to be honest, I was so thrilled with H’s behaviour, I wouldn’t have minded if we’d come 99th !

Then I just had time to spray H with some Showsheen and tidy his plaits ( and my wonky tie ) and we were back in the ring for the Handsome Horse class. And just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, H behaved beautifully once again, and seemed to be enjoying himself with this new type of experience. He even stood perfectly square when asked, and smiled nicely at the judge – who told him he was ‘gorgeous’ and gave him second place. (Discerning lady, that judge !)

So then we had to have the photo-shoot, with two big rosettes fluttering from H’s bridle. (This in itself would be a new experience for an ex-racehorse, so if you intend to be successful showing yours, get some practice in at home for pinning on all those rosettes you are going to win.) Now, Miraed has this reflex action whenever she spots a camera – ears back, swish tail, rest hind leg and adopt foul/bored-to-death expression. But not H. He posed like a star. Hence these nice photos I can post here.

I had no intentions of entering H in the ridden class this time. He’s just not quite ready for that yet, and I wanted this outing to be relaxed and stress-free for him. But, seeing as he was so very chilled out, I decided to saddle him up and potter round the showground a bit. He tensed as soon as the saddle went on, and jogged a bit at first. He quickly relaxed though, and we strolled around saying hello to the lunching judges, the secretary’s caravan, the litter bin, the practice jumps, the jumping blackboard and a tiny spotted pony the like of which he’d never seen before. He seemed to take an enjoyable interest in all of it and never spooked once.

Chuffed to bits, I ended on this good note and called it a day. Miraed can be a baggage to load; it can take several hours, sackfuls of feed, a natural horsemanship expert and a cast of thousands to help…..Big H just hopped in first time. And once again he travelled well. Despite a bit of noisy fuss when we stopped to refuel, he arrived home calm and cool.

So that’s my lovely Big H. What a star ! Despite his lack of experience at it, he gave me the easiest day’s showing I’ve had in a long while, and lots of fun – and rosettes as well. Who said ex-racehorses are difficult ? Ok, so it wasn’t Horse Of The Year Show – and never will be, with us. But whatever placings we do or don’t get in the future, Big H will always be Supreme Champion to me.

Big changes for Big H - b) R & R

2008-07-30T21:57:00.004+01:00

Though Big H became a retired racehorse the day I bought him at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, neither his mind nor his body realized it. Physically and mentally he was still very much a racehorse in training. And a tired one. He had raced over hurdles just three days before I brought him home. Since then he had travelled for hours in a horsebox to the sales, stood in a stable at the sales complex for 36 hours, ( no doubt feeling baffled and anxious), travelled again to my place, and been put into a strange loosebox in place he’d never seen before. He must have been stiff, aching, and mentally exhausted. He was probably expecting to go out racing any moment, and wondering with increasing apprehension when that might be, because this time all the routine was wrong. My first task, then, was to ease his mind and relax his body, as gently but swiftly as possible.

With ex-racehorses (as with men, I’ve found), food helps a lot. They may be unused to receiving affection and petting, and uncertain how they are supposed to respond, but food is a language they understand. So along with the racehorse mix and hay that he was used to, H was given a bucketful of sweet fresh-picked grass as a ‘welcome’ titbit. Then he was turned out into the sand school to stretch his legs and have a roll, and take a first look around his new home. If he wanted to go mad and have a buck-and-gallop-round session, this was his chance. Many horses in his situation would have taken it, sick of being cooped up, and would have enjoyed a proper giddy half-hour. But not H. We waited for the fireworks but nothing happened. Big H, it seemed, didn’t do giddy. Maybe he was simply too tired and disorientated. He just sauntered round, after rolling a couple of times, gazed about philosophically, and began nibbling bits of grass through the school fence. To catch him again, I only needed to tap a feedbucket, and H came straight over to me, quietly, slowly, head low, and with absolutely no aggression. And so I began my role as his Nice Feed Lady.

From an ease-of-handling point of view this was very promising. Of course, for all I knew, Big H could still have been under some sedation he’d received prior to the sale. It can happen. But not in this case. A couple of days showed H to be naturally docile and kind, truly one of life’s born ‘gentle giants’. It meant that, though H had to stay stabled for another 2 days for worming, I was able to lead him around the farm lanes quite safely, to give him some gentle exercise and in-hand grazing as we started to get to know each other.

I also gave him some simple massages and exercises the chiropractor had shown me, to help loosen up his muscles, legs and back. Physically as well as mentally, it was good ‘bonding time’ for us both and I kept it up even when H was able to go out grazing in the field with the other horses.

People working with retired racehorses have two ways of tackling this immediate, straight-out-of-training phase. Some say, keep the horse going in a full work routine, simply changing the type of work you ask him to do. Other say, turn the ex-racer out into a field and do nothing at all with him, letting him chill out for a few weeks ( or months) and ‘learn to be a horse again’. I say, it all depends on the individual horse. You need to take into account his personality, background, physical and mental fitness. You also need to consider your own time availability, your long-term aims – and even the weather. ( No point turning a newly-retired racehorse out into a cold rain-lashed field where he’ll shiver to death. That’s not the kind of ‘chilling out’ advocated.) It does seem to be generally the case, though, that at some stage in his re-training the ex-racehorse will benefit from – indeed need – a longish period resting and recharging his mental and physical batteries. And a couple of months lolling about in a pasture with a few horsey companions is a great way of achieving this.

Some people fear that, by having this rest phase immediately, the horse will loose its sense of discipline, respect and manners, and will then be more difficult to re-train. In my view, though, if this is going to happen, it will occur at some stage, no matter what you do, because it’s in that horse’s nature. I prefer to have the R & R period first, if at all possible. It can be used to relax and de-stress the horse, both physically and mentally, to get to know each other, and to establish bonding patterns between you. It can heal any slight injuries and can also help to reveal other unsuspected problem areas your new horse may have. By the time you are ready to bring your ex-racer back into work, you will know much more about each other ( for better or worse!) and have a good idea of what needs to be tackled .

( Please note – the list may be endless ! You won’t be spoiled for choice. Your main difficulty will be deciding where to start …. That’s ex-racehorses for you !)

Ex-racehorse Showing Tips

2008-07-23T11:08:00.008+01:00

'HORSE' magazine ( published by IPC Media) is currently running a short series called 'A Racehorse Transformed'. It details how Fiona Reddick and her ex-racer Whatawizard ( known at home as 'Mick') are helped by show-ring experts to prepare for competing in a qualifier for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship.

Last month's issue ( July 2008, 19th June-16th July) covered a flatwork session with top show producer Jayne Webber, to check out Mick's schooling and manners and work on perfecting techniques. ( There is no point attempting a ridden class if your ex-racehorse still doesn't understand about circles, standing still, or cantering round with other horses without going into training-gallop mode !)

This month (August 2008, 17th July-13th August) looks at turnout for horse and rider: correct and appropriate dress and tack, and some great tips-of-the-trade to get the best effect from trimming, plaiting, quarter marks etc.

It's an excellent article. The only thing I would add is - don't worry too much if you feel you and your ex-racer are not quite up to all this yet. The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship is a national competition with high standards - and it's wonderful, even inspiring, to see retired racehorses competing and flourishing at that level. But even national champions have to start at the beginning. It may take a season - or several years ! - before your ex-racer can appear at even a small local horse show without blowing a fuse. ( And if this is you and yours - welcome to the club ! It's par for the course. It passes, in time.)

This does not mean that you should just stay skulking quietly at home till you think your horse is 'ready'. He won't ever get 'ready' without lots of practice. You need to get out there and give it a go ! But - gently and gradually. Depending on your horse, you might start off by simply leading him round at a small show and not entering any classes at all. Then, you could try something in-hand. There are quite a few Ex-racehorse In-Hand classes available in UK now, even at local level. They are usually small and friendly affairs, and if a novice horse plays up no-one minds because they've all already been there. If there is no specific class for your ex-racer, try him in 'Handsome Horse', or 'Longest Tail' or 'Prettiest Ears' - anything low-keyed and easy, to get him in the show-ring without pressure.

If all this goes well, next time take his tack with you, and, if he is settled, try riding him about the showground a bit. Only when he is quite happy doing that is he 'ready' to try a ridden class. Even then, he will get excited once in the show-ring - your own competitive adrenalin will inevitably rise, and he will sense it.

Whilst you are doing all this practicing, do not worry too much about having the correct riding boots or bridle. Of course you want to do your best, and be respectful of the judges, so you will not be turning up in your mucky old jeans. But don't let the lack of the correct jacket, browband, plaits or double bridle prevent you giving it a go at local level. In fact, most ex-racehorse classes - unlike traditional showing classes - allow any kind of tack and bit. This is in recognition of the fact that these horses have come from a previous, very different, career, and are more than likely in a transition phase of their retraining. Here, a running martingale may be essential for safety. And any ex-racehorse class judge with a grain of sense would much rather see a horse going forward quietly and happily in a snaffle than one anxious and uncomfortable in a double bridle or pelham. (If you're not sure if your horse is ready for double-rein bitting, try experimenting with a rubber pelham. It's softer than the real thing, though thicker. It might work for you.)

The important thing is for you and your ex-racehorse to ENJOY the occasion. ( What is the point otherwise ?) So try to relax and have fun. Remember that all Thoroughbreds are super-sensitive, and pretty good mind-readers. If you start getting competitive, nervous and hyped-up, so will your horse. And to him, 'competition' means just one thing - racing! He'll flip back mentally to his old life, and neither of you will enjoy it ! So, just relax, have a laugh at whatever comes, and enjoy some special time with your horse.

Miraed - Ex-racehorse to showjumper ?

2008-07-21T14:25:00.013+01:00

I’m proud to report some real progress! It looks like moody Miraed has really turned the corner, and finally decided to stop being a racehorse, and a reluctant show horse, and to become an enthusiastic showjumper instead. Yesterday we took her to a small local show and entered her in the jumping classes for real beginners – which is what she is, in showjumping terms. All she has done before in this line is a few goes round the Clear Round course at shows ( where the fences are about 2 inches high, and you can have as many tries as you like till you get round. The first time, I led her round in-hand, because she’d never seen coloured obstacles before. It’s strictly for fun and practice – but for those not lucky enough to have a full set of show jumps at home to practice on, ie most people, it’s a great opportunity.) She really seemed to enjoy this, and is always much more enthusiastic in our schooling at home if our two sets of jumping poles are included somewhere. Clearly flatwork is just not exciting enough for her, and showing , whether in-hand or ridden, is in Miraed’s view totally dull and boring.

But this showjumping, now – that’s a bit more like it ! A proper job for a horse like me ! This seemed to be Miraed’s opinion of yesterday’s activities. In the Clear Round she had a refusal at one fence – a type she’d never seen before – but cleared it at the second attempt. Then Miraed’s motor started firing on all cylinders, and in the next Training Class she did a perfect clear round. Not only that, but she was obviously thinking about what she was doing, and enjoying it. My instructions to rider Becky were to not ‘interfere’, but let Miraed sort herself out as far as stride and take-off were concerned. It was wonderful to see Miraed doing this, adjusting her stride, putting some bounce into her canter, and starting to get a bit of rhythm going. And she can certainly jump !

Then came the jump-off, against the clock. I told Becky to forget the timing and just take it steady. (There is no point in pulling young horses off their feet and getting them flustered and confused. Far better to give them a quiet, confidence-boosting experience.) Even so, Miraed covered the ground well, and the time was not that slow. She was unlucky in clipping the top rail of the very last fence. (It fell for Miraed, but not for the next horse, a big cob who really booted it ! Ah well, that’s showjumping .) So Miraed ended with four faults in a respectable time. And came second ! Thus much rejoicing for me and many more polo mints and horse cubes for Miraed.

The day was already a great success for us. But, on a last-minute whim, we decided to enter Miraed in the late-running Ridden Ex-Racehorse showing class as well. After some hasty polishing, oiling and tail-plaiting ( no time to plait her mane), Miraed went back into the show ring. She must have still been in a happy and obliging mood; she went beautifully, and won !

Big Changes for Big H - a) diet

2008-07-16T12:05:00.006+01:00

When Big H came to live with me he was very much a racehorse, and had run a 2-mile hurdle race at Towcester only 3 days before ( He came sixth; according to Racing Post, he was ‘prominent till weakened 2 out’.) He did not know he had retired. Neither did his body, or his digestive system. They all needed to be introduced to the new situation gradually. ( Is there any other way of doing anything successfully with horses ?)

Before I left Doncaster sales ground, I made sure I asked H’s trainer about his current feeding regime. As expected, he was on high-performance, high-energy rations – lots of racehorse mix, comparatively little hay, loads of protein, little bulk. My ultimate aim was to have things exactly the opposite way round – masses of bulky forage, and just a little supplementary nutrition. I wanted him to relax and gain weight – to become as fat and lazy as a thoroughbred can be - without upsetting his digestive system, getting colic, loosing vital vitamins and minerals, or becoming fizzy and giddy. Luckily it was early summer, and I had access to good grazing, which would help him both physically and mentally. But it all had to be tackled slowly, in easy stages.

For the first few days H was not allowed out in the fields with the other horses. He was wormed, and closely observed for signs of anything unwelcome, and fed on racehorse mix and a little hay exactly as he was used to. He was turned out in the school for short periods, to stretch his legs, roll and relax, and ease off any post-race, post transit stiffness he may have had. And he was led around the farm in-hand, getting his bearings and picking at bits of grass beside the lanes.

Then he was introduced to his three new field-mates, but from across the fence and still in-hand. There were the expected snorts and squeals, but nothing worrying. The day after – wearing a light turn-out rug because he was still used to being fully rugged-up – H was let loose in the field . It was a great moment. After the initial snorts, all four horses set off galloping, round and round the field, bucking and squealing as they went. There were two other ex-racers in with him, but H was definitely the fastest ! We watched for half an hour, but long before that they had all settled down to grazing. All was going to be well. Big H was, as the newcomer, bottom of the pecking order, but seemed content with that, and his new herd – and the grass! – for now.

He was only allowed to graze for a couple of hours the first day. Gradually that became half-days at a time, then whole days but stabled at night, and, after five weeks and with some good dry weather, out 24/7 without a rug.

Meanwhile his feed rations had been changing. I needed to wean him off the racehorse mix, via increasingly high fibre fodder, onto grass. I started by adding chopped un-molassed fibre mix, like Hi-Fi and Alpha-A Oil, to his food, a little at a time. Then I introduced soaked Alfa-beet. I was wanting to put flesh on him if I could, but without increasing the carbohydrate/sugar content that would make him fizzy. Alfa-beet and Speedybeet are both low in sugar (unlike ordinary sugar beet,) while Alfa-beet, as the name suggests, has added alfalfa. (This makes it look, and smell, like cow-slurry when soaked – but horses love it !)
As these ingredients increased, the amount of racehorse-mix in each feed decreased. After a week I started substituting a handful of the racehorse mix with a handful of cool mix. Over the next couple of weeks the proportions gradually reversed, until the racehorse mix was out altogether with the cool mix replacing it. The amounts of this hard feed element were also gradually reduced, whilst the number of bucket feeds per day were cut from four to three, and then two. Meanwhile, he was given increasingly large quantities of forage – hay, and haylage - to get him used to eating more bulk, for longer periods of his day. I also gave him weekly old-fashioned bran mashes, to help ‘clear out’ his system.

It was important, though, to ensure he didn’t loose out on any vitamins and minerals whilst this dietary change was taking place, so I gave him Red Cell as a feed supplement to add iron and vitamins. Pink Powder is also very good for this, and lot of people swear by it as a nutrition balancer. Milk pellets are also excellent, though not on a long-term basis (you can have too much of a good thing !)

By the end of the summer, H was out in the field full-time, and putting on weight from the constant supply of grass . He still had one bucket feed a day though, to maintain his supply of vitamins and minerals. Apart from anything else, this routine was good for ‘bonding’. I was the nice Food Lady who provided goodies each day in return for simply being polite when caught and handled; a good deal all round !

I am not, of course, saying that this is the only – or the ‘best’ – way of changing an ex-racehorse’s feeding regime. It’s what I did with Big H, and with other horses who have come to me straight from a high-performance life and diet, to start a much more relaxed lifestyle. It has always worked well for me. But every horse is different, and will need it’s own individually-designed programme, depending on the horse’s health and temperament, and your own plans for him; what do you aim to do together, and to what timescale ? I wanted to hack H quietly through the winter, and then do some showing the following summer. If, though, you intend to be hunting or show-jumping your ex-racehorse in six months time, you would devise a somewhat different feeding and exercise plan.

The important thing, it seems to me, is – whatever you do, make the changes gradual. And always bear in mind that your newly-retired racehorse is having to cope with all your changes both physically and mentally. Be patient, and understanding.

Heatherlea Squire - racehorse, ( retired)

2008-07-12T12:10:00.004+01:00

There is nothing quite like the thrill of taking your new horse home from the sale. He’s wearing his new headcollar ( provided by the vendor, in theory), and possibly a new leadrope and stable rug. (Provided by you) You lead him out of the stable in the sales yard feeling proud as punch. If you’re a sentimentalist like me you pose for some photographs. You wonder, warily, if your new baby will load and travel well, and you glance round for likely helpers should there be any difficulties. If your horse loads easily, as Big H did, you are elated, and relieved. You know there should be no problems whilst actually on the road; travelling round the country for different race meetings is, after all, what your newly-retired racehorse used to do for a living. You can sit back and enjoy the journey home. Unless, that is, the friend who has volunteered to drive you in her horse transporter confesses, in passing, that this is the first time she has actually driven it…..

Despite this disturbing revelation, and the fact that we hit rush-hour traffic, and strong winds that buffeted us on the motorway, we eventually made it safely home to the stables. Big H unloaded easily enough, even though he had to exit backwards. ( He is so big – 17.2 hands – that normal procedures had to be re-jigged.) He looked around and sighed a little. He was understandably tired, and seemed to accept the fact that he was landing in yet another unfamiliar yard, instead of his own home stable, with a philosophical resignation. He was a racehorse; like a rock star, he understood all about life on the road, as well as cheering crowds in the audience.

I had made him up a deep, clean straw bed, and put ready a bucket of water and a pile of fresh sweet hay. He walked round the loosebox a couple of times, sniffing the straw. He grabbed a mouthful of the hay in passing, and paused to look out over the stable door. He called out (as best he could, being hobdayed; he can only actually manage a soft rasping noise) to attempt contact with other horses. One called back from the paddock, but it was distant: Big H was in quarantine isolation for a couple of days, for observation and worming. He sighed again, took another mouthful of hay, and then stretched his hind legs to stale. Then he felt better. The new quarters were adequate, the grub was satisfactory, the situation tolerable. He took a long dink of water, and then tucked in to the hay.

He did not object to the procession of visitors who came to ogle him. Indeed (perfect gentleman that he is) he would leave his hay to come up to the door to say hello; to check us out. But when I eventually brought him his bucket-feed (racehorse mix bought in specially for him) he did his rasping whinny as if to say, ‘Thank goodness for that ! I thought it was never coming!’ The excitements and upheavals of his past few days had not upset his appetite; I left him in peace to enjoy his supper.

For Heatherlea Squire – now my Big H – this was all just more of the same old same old. He’d been doing it most of his life. He was born in New Zealand in 1998. He raced there on the flat 24 times, winning twice and being placed 10 times. Then he was sold for a high-hatful of money and imported to Britain. Here he raced for two years over hurdles and, a couple of times, over steeplechase fences. But he never showed his earlier winning ways. And so, he was consigned to Doncaster Sales… and me. His racing days were over. Only he didn’t know it yet. In H’s mind, he was still very much a racehorse, merely resting in transit between races. As with most ex-racers, it took him a long time to realise he’d been retired from all that, and now a whole new – and often puzzling – life was about to begin.

Buyer Beware! - Gambler's Luck

2008-07-08T11:11:00.007+01:00

Following on my last post, I feel I ought to add : Don't try this at home, folks ! This is not a sensible way to buy horses. Or anything, come to that.

It was a gamble. I was lucky; as it turned out, H quickly proved himself to be the kindest, gentlest, brightest horse imaginable, and though he has had some soundness problems, he is now fine and we are having lots of fun together. He is, as his old groom Katie said, 'a very special horse', and even if he wasn't sound I wouldn't part with him for the world.

But then, I'm at a stage of life where my horses are pets. They do not have to earn their keep. I simply enjoy their company. If we can go to a show, or a charity ride, or a hunter trial, and enjoy a good day out, I am more than happy, regardless of whether we come first or last. I am not trying to improve them to add value or sell on for profit. All the reschooling and retraining we do is so that the horse can have an interesting and healthy new life, which we can enjoy together. That's why a horse's temperament is so important to me. Obviously, though, different people want different things. Someone wanting an ex-racehorse to retrain as a show-jumper, or team-chaser, or hunter, would be much more concerned with issues of ability and soundness.

Getting Big H could have turned out badly. Critically, from my point of view, I could have misjudged his temperament ( or been fooled by a tired and disorientated horse into thinking he was quieter than he was.) True enough, I tried to cut the odds as much as possible. I handled the horse in his stable, felt him all over, picked up his feet, jumped up and down and clapped my hands.... I quizzed his connections when there was nothing for them to gain by hoodwinking me ( since they had already sold H to someone else.) Crucially, I paid very little for him, so I knew that, if the worst came to the worst and H proved totally wrong for me in some way, I could easily recoup my money by selling him on, even as he stood. But it was a gamble. And as with all gambles, you have to be prepared to loose.

There - my conscience feels clearer now, having fessed up about the risks I took. I would hate for someone to go along to a sale with my cavalier attitude and end up buying a heap of expensive disappointment and trouble! But, it's true to say that great finds can be made at sales, and lots of people are keen to give it a try. So, by popular demand ( er-hem - well, a couple of folks suggested it) I am going to set to and write up a 'Beginners' Guide to Bloodstock Sales'. Watch this space !

And then there were Three - Big H arrives

2008-07-06T21:44:00.005+01:00

As with all my best moves, it was totally unplanned. I had no intention whatsoever of buying another horse. I simply agreed to go along with my friend Becky for a day out at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, because she’d never been before and wondered what it was like.

( A day at the sales can be great fun without buying anything more expensive than a cup of coffee. There is no entry fee, and these days they even give the catalogues away free at DBS ! You can while away many happy hours watching hundreds of horses – good, bad, and plug-ugly – and trying to guess what they will fetch in the auction ring. You can people-watch too, spotting celebrity buyers, owners and trainers. And you can marvel at bidding duels, and the vast amounts of money some people are prepared to invest in a living creature. You can even, if you work at it, get yourself a date with one of the attendant stable staff – though I grew out of that aspect some time ago. And if you really cannot resist spending money, you can usually find some bargain headcollars and rugs in the tack shop.)

So, there was absolutely no need for me to buy a horse. As we arrived at the salesground, ( later than planned, as usual) we could hear the auctioneer over the microphone, struggling to get anyone to bid on the lot he was handling. Eventually, he managed the minimum bid of 500 guineas ( £525 – about $760), and there it stopped. As the hammer came down I said, ‘Let’s go see what a five-hundred-guinea horse looks like these days.’

A large bright bay walked out of the sales ring into the holding pen , led by his girl groom. He looked alert and interested, looking round him to see what was going on. He also looked very thin, even for a horse in training. Out of sheer idle curiosity, we followed him back to his stable and began chatting with the girl.

And so I met and fell in love with Big H – or, to give him his proper name, Heatherlea Squire. ( You can see why I soon shortened it ! I don’t believe in changing horses’ names – superstition , I know – but that really was too much of a mouthful !) It turned out he had raced over hurdles just 36 hours before, then travelled 150 miles from his training yard in Cheltenham to the sales in Doncaster. No wonder he had run up a bit light ! But what was clear from the start was how intelligent and very kind this horse was. ( Don’t ask me how, but you can tell.) His groom Katie told me he was ‘a very special horse’ – and how she had cried when told he was going to be sold. I sought out her boss, the trainer. He had only good to speak of the horse too.

There was no reason not to believe them, because the horse was already sold – to someone else. I wondered who the buyer was ? Certainly not one of the big-timers, who were already spending thousands in the ring. So, either a small trainer looking for a cheap runner, or a dealer, or a private individual like myself. I enquired at the sales office , and eventually discovered that Heatherlea Squire had been bought by a dealer, one of their regular customers.

I’ve nothing against genuine horsedealers – I just didn’t want this particular horse to go to one, especially so soon after racing. I feared he might be quickly sold on to someone who didn’t know his background, and would feed him wrongly and ride him wrongly and cause all sorts of problems. And besides – Big H was blowing soft warm breaths into my hair over the stable door. What else could I do…. ?

With the help of the senior auctioneer, I located the dealer and did a deal. I didn’t offer him much profit, but the horse had not as yet cost him a penny in expenses and – as he very wisely said – ‘’When you start turning away a small profit you end up loosing it all’
He was actually a very nice guy and , by pure coincidence, turned out to know an old friend of mine from Wales. Small world !. I’ve met him a few times since at the sales, and keep him updated on H’s progress.

Of course, I didn’t have any money on me. But, with the help of my new dealer-friend, my bank card, and a bemused but obliging cashier from the sales office, we managed to make the transaction. Big H was mine.

I asked Katie to bring a headcollar for him and I bought him a rug ( bargain basement, but serviceable.) I left her alone in the stable with him to say goodbye – I knew she was crying. ( Which, from my position, was a good sign . A much-loved horse is unlikely to be a rogue.) It must be very hard, working in a trainer’s yard where you often have to bid farewell to creatures you have come to know and love. I made sure I sent Katie updates and photos of H, which maybe helped a bit.

I had no transport to get Big H home. I asked around to seek a lift or part-load, but couldn’t find anything both practical and affordable. So, I left Big H in the stable overnight ( it was a 3-day sale), rustled him up some hay, and put the transport question off till tomorrow. Then I phoned the owner of my livery yard and asked – very sweetly- if there was any chance he could fit in another horse….? As I listened to the stunned silence at the other end of the phone and awaited his answer, I mulled over possible Plan B’s if he said ‘No’. Like I said, I hadn’t planned this….

Books on Ex-racehorse Retraining and Rehabilitation

2008-06-24T17:52:00.002+01:00

Compared with other areas of horsemanship, there are surprisingly few reference books available on the retraining and rehabilitation of retire racehorses. ( Though I'm working on it !)

The two main ones are:

Buying and Reschooling Ex-racehorses by Christopher and Victoria Coldrey

The Coldreys are acknowledged experts on breaking and schooling horses, as well as running their own successful race training yard. In this book they pack their wealth of expertise into 112 pages, illustrated with both diagrams and photographs. They cover everything from 'Finding Your Horse' ( where to look, what to consider and discount), then the early stages of retraining, and through to pole-work and riding away. The Coldreys are strong advocates of loose schooling, and give a detailed account of how it works with ex-racers. The book is full of helpful detail and sound common sense, and is a source of encouragement when you and your ex-racer have just had another set-back. ( I know !)

Reschooling the Thoroughbred: How to Buy and Retrain a Racehorse by Peggy Jett Pittenger

I have to confess I haven't read this one myself - it's not in the bookshops, and with a pricetag of £88.25 ( around $120 ) my local library refused to buy it in ! Still, you can sometimes hit lucky and pick up a cheaper copy on Amazon. Reader reviews are mixed. Some say it's great, and packed full of helpful information. Others say it has little new to offer to those who already know thoroughbreds. But then, many people don't - but want to learn ! Next time I come across a bargain copy I shall buy it for myself, anyway - on the grounds that there's always more to be learnt and, with my memory, I need regular reminders in any case !

Why have an Ex-racehorse ?

2008-06-23T17:11:00.004+01:00

There are several reasons why non-racing people have ex-racehorses, including:

They didn’t know it was an ex-racer when they bought it – it was described as a hunter/jumper/happy hacker etc.

They wanted a Thoroughbred mare to breed a foal from (only recommended for long-term investors with a deep gambler’s streak.)

They saw a thin, nervous horse at a sale and felt sorry for it. ( Later may feel sorry for themselves.)

They saw it as a way of getting a decent horse on the cheap .(Big mistake. Huge.)

They have a crush on the vet and want a good excuse for numerous visits

They enjoy challenges, falling off, and recounting hair-raising tales in the bar.

Not all horse-lovers are suited to ex-racehorses, and vice versa. Ex-racers have got themselves a reputation for being ‘difficult’ – and they very often are. But, in the right hands, they can become the most wonderful, responsive and rewarding horses. And ‘the right hands’ could very easily be yours, if you are prepared to be patient, to learn, and to give these amazing creatures a chance.

They do have a lot going for them, from the outset. They have speed, stamina, high intelligence and sensitivity, courage and willingness, versatility in both aptitude and performance, good, strong, dense bone, and elegant conformation – all desirable qualities in a riding horse. And, ex-racers come in a variety of types and sizes, from 15-hand ladies’ hacks to hulking 18-hand steeplechasers that could ‘jump a house and race a train’. So, if you are seeking a high-hearted, do-anything riding horse, you could easily find an ex-racer to suit you.

In addition, horses that have been in race-training yards usually have excellent stable-manners, - good to groom, lead, bath and plait etc. They tend to stand quietly for the farrier whilst being shod, load and unload easily from transport, and to be good in traffic ( at least when ridden out in company.) Any racehorses that do not fit these traits will have real issues to be dealt with ! (Professional trainers and stable staff do not have time, or inclination, to go pussyfooting around naughty horses. A racer has to be a real star to get away with misbehaviour. Generally, obedience is required.)

Of course they have weaknesses. Thoroughbreds - especially racehorses – can be highly-strung to the point of neurosis. They are notorious for having weak, crumbly feet. They are not hardy, being thin-skinned and fine-coated. They have small mouths and need careful bitting.

The racehorse – especially for flat-racing - will have been broken and worked at a far younger age ( 2 or 3 years) than most other horses. So, he may well have problems related to both physical and mental immaturity. Also, he is likely to have been trained in quite large, business-focused establishments – so he may be institutionalised, very reliant on routine, and not used to being petted.

He will have been broken in quickly, and given none of the patient flatwork schooling that a private pleasure or sport horse could expect. Consequently, he is likely to have an ‘un-made’, unresponsive mouth, and will interpret any pressure on the reins as a signal to go faster, not slow down. He may be unused to riding out alone, and become anxious if asked to do so. And he may never have met other horses coming towards him. Riding out with his companions, though, he will either want to lead or follow the string - whatever you yourself may have in mind. If he had any bad experiences racing, he may become a nervous wreck when anything reminds him of the racecourse. And if he enjoyed his racing ( which many do) , such reminders will urge him to give it another go - which may not be in your plan ! Then you may experience the infamous ex-racer repertoire of bucks, spins, bounces and rears.

A racehorse is not often left tied up - so do not try leaving your ex-racer tied to a ring or trailer until you've practiced this safely a lot ! And racehorses are not trained to stand still - even when being mounted ( jockeys are legged-up into the saddle). Your ex-racer is only used to going forward, and simply will not see the point of keeping still. The commands 'halt' and 'stand' are not in his vocabulary. Neither will he understand about going round in 20 metre circles - a ridiculous and frustrating notion, in his mind. On the other hand, he will be used to running round a large circular racetrack - usually left-handed - so he is likely to be one-sided in his mouth and body muscles, and these will need gradual remedial work. In addition, he will only have been ridden with stirrups at jockey-length ( even during training) so he may well feel uncertain and uncomfortable when he first feels a rider's legs stretching down his sides.

And yet …all of this negative stuff can be overcome with patience and careful management. A few weeks chilling out in a meadow, followed by sympathetic re-training, can work calming wonders. Poor feet can be strengthened by remedial diet, careful farriery and, if possible, a few months going barefoot. And even a delicate TB can, over a period of time for acclimatisation, become hardy – and hairy! – enough to winter out.

Once persuaded to stop being a racehorse ( though he will never entirely forget !) the ex-racer can shine in any discipline – showjumping, eventing, dressage, endurance riding, hunting, showing, even sidesaddle and western riding. Some ex-racehorses, due to their exceptional sensitivity and intelligence, can actually make wonderful therapy and assistance horses. They are increasingly being used in programmes of physical and mental therapy, training for confidence building and communication skills, and even in the rehabilitation of inmate offenders in prisons.

Many more, like mine, become pure pets, ‘happy hackers’ and occasional special-outing horses, loved and cherished by doting owners who recognise and value a very special, hard-won and mutually sustaining bond.

Why have an ex-racehorse ? Why on earth not ?!

For Queen and Country - Royal Ex-racer Recruited !

2008-06-17T12:44:00.008+01:00

Yet another great career opportunity has opened up for ex-racehorses, encouraged by The Queen. First Love - once one of the late Queen Mother's favourite racehorses and now owned by Queen Elizabeth II - is joining the army.

Twelve-year-old First Love - a huge but surprisingly nimble brown gelding - enjoyed a sparkling racing career. He won nine races, over both hurdles and steeplechase fences, and in 2002 became The Queen's first winner over jumps in more than forty years. ( Some comfort there for less exalted owners !) First Love retired from training at Nicky Henderson's Lambourn yard in March this year, and is now moving to London to take up his new post with the Household Cavalry.

According to the Royal Stud at Sandringham, the plan is for First Love to take part in ceremonial occasions like Trooping the Colour once his retraining is completed. So much for all ex-racehorses being nutters ! ( Though I have to say, having watched the Queen's Birthday Parade on TV the other day, and seeing how beautifully behaved the cavalry horses were, I will be interested to see how an ex-racehorse copes with having to stand still for one-and-a-half hours ! The most mine can manage is fifteen minutes - on a good day.)

Miraed finally gets it right !

2008-06-15T12:15:00.004+01:00

Just to prove even the most tricky of ex-racers do make progress - eventually !

Meet Miraed

2008-06-14T18:46:00.010+01:00

Thought it was time for Miraed to be properly introduced to you. You may remember her from earlier posts ( May 23rd, March 31st ) - my 9-year old brown mare by Project Manager. Miraed has lots of funky moves ( half -rear, sideways leap, camel-race plunge, full spin ) but I'm afraid formal curtsey is not among them. You may, however, be lucky and catch her with her ears pricked ( when she looks really rather pretty.) Unless she spots you pointing a camera, in which case you will receive only her most disdainful scowl. All our best prizewinning moments are recorded in pictures of Miraed a-flutter with rosettes and looking murderously bored.

She is actually quite well bred, in racing terms. Through her dam, Cherry Country, her line goes back to the great Arkle. Like him she was bred in Ireland to race over fences. Sadly, though, Miraed did not quite have Arkle's talent for it, and as a five-year-old she was sold cheaply at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales. To me. I bought her as a schooling companion for Dara, with the intention of selling her on when she'd been re-trained as a pleasure horse. She's not very big - about 15.3hh - and I knew she would make an ideal Riding Club horse for someone. But, well .....

She's taken a very long time to re-school. She's ornery and stubborn and wilful, with a mind of her own and an eternal Why? in her head. As in - 'Why should I ?' The old saying, 'tell a gelding, ask a mare' should be re-worded for her to 'negotiate patiently with Miraed.' She's not stupid - she's too darn clever !

Our first attempts at in-hand showing were comedy-on-legs, with Miraed bouncing all over, jumping on the judge, and knocking me over and running loose more than once. Later on when we tried ridden classes, it was frankly hilarious. I got used to hearing ripples of laughter and cries of 'Well sat!' as we careered round the arena in our distinctive runaway-camel mode. As I've said, sense of humour is vital equipment for anyone involved with ex-racehorses, along with a well-stocked First Aid kit.

And yet ....last year Miraed won riding club championships for Ex-Racer In-hand, Ex-Racer Ridden, Working Ex-Racer , and Handsome Horse classes (despite the scowling. ) Ok, so we are talking local riding club stuff here, not County Show or anything. But, heck! - it's great progress to me ! (Even if it has taken four years.) We have a table full of trophies, a wall full of red and blue rosettes - and some lovely recollections of fun times together. We've done unaffiliated dressage ( and came first once !), charity fun rides, hunting, and ex-racehorse parades. Now we've started jumping, which Miraed loves. As a rider, my showjumping days are long-gone , so I've brought in my friend Becky to partner Miraed in what I hope will be a long and enjoyable career as a working hunter and showjumper.

Miraed is still ornery and wilful - but we've kind of got used to each other, and I love her dearly. So, it looks like she's staying. ( Oh well, I never was much good as a horse-dealer.)

Greatwood Lecture-Demonstration

2008-06-03T19:22:00.003+01:00

If you're thinking about perhaps taking on an ex-racehorse - or have recently succumbed to this lunacy and already have one - and if you're within travelling distance of Marlborough, in Wiltshire, you'll be interested in the lecture-demo being held by Greatwood racehorse rehabilitation centre on Thursday 10th June at 6.30pm.

There will be a riding demonstration by Jamaican event rider Sam Albert ( who has already secured a place for the Hong Kong Olympics). Sam has had great success at bringing on former racehorses into eventing. He has a wealth of experience, advice and handy tips to help ex-racer owners get the best from their horses, whatever riding discipline they want to follow.

Also speaking will be Helen Yeadon, Greatwood's founder, and Dr Sven Kold, of the Willesley Equine Clinic, who is one of the UK's leading equine vets. A nutritionist from Dodson& Horrell will also be on hand to answer questions.

Tickets cost £5, plus 50pence for postage. Places are limited, so best to book beforehand by phoning Greatwood on 01672 514535.

I just wish I lived near enough to go ! Perhaps someone lucky enough to be there can send in a report on how it went ?

Racehorse Rehabilitation Centres

2008-05-28T15:47:00.007+01:00

Sheikh Mohammed is not, of course, the only one involved in giving ex-racehorses a good life when they retire from the track. Caring owners and trainers have always done it, and many a retired racehorse has enjoyed a new lease of life in private hands in the hunting field or showring. Some went on to find new fame, even years ago - remember David Broom's great ex-racer-showjumper Philco, and Pat Smythe's Prince Hal even earlier on ?

Horsedealers - both high-class and , er, less-so - have always made a tidy profit buying racers out of training and quickly turning them round as hacks, hunters and jumpers, with variable success. ( It always depended on whether the buyer with the money also had the knowledge - some horses got lucky, some didn't.)

But over the past fifteen years or so, certainly here in the UK, there has been a growing public concern over the fate of racehorses, both on and off the track. Partly in response to this, the British Horseracing Board set up an official charity called Retraining of Racehorses - or ROR - to support and oversee welfare developments for former racehorses. ROR, based in London, acts as a contact and information centre, as well as making large contributions to the running of the four racehorse rehabilitation centres it officially supports.

Contact : http://www.ror.org.uk/ tel: 020 7152 0000

Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC)

This was the first of the four main centres, ( and the first in Europe), set up in 1991 by Carrie Humble, MBE ( awarded this honour by The Queen for her work with ex-racehorses.) TRC now has its own farm premises in Lancashire, where it can board 30 horses. There is always a waiting list ! It's founding philosophy is summed up in its brochure - " We breed them, we train them, we push them to their limits to provide us a sport - we owe them, either a decent life or a decent exit". And that's what TRC provides; as many horses as possible are rehomed, (always on loan, to approved homes, and remaining in TRC legal ownership.) Horses that cannot be rehomed, for physical or mental health reasons, are humanely euthanased.

Contact: http://www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk/ tel: 01524 812649

Greatwood

The Greatwood centre was founded in Devon in 1992 by Michael and Helen Yeadon, and now operates from a farm in Marlborough, Wiltshire. It's motto is " The finishing line is only the beginning", and, like TRC, has a tremendous success record of rehabilitating and rehoming ( again, on loan) ex-racers.

Contact: http://www.racehorsesgreatwood.org/ tel: 01672 514535

Moorcroft

Based in Sussex and running on very similar lines to Greatwood and TRC, Moorcroft can cater for 28 horses at a time.

Contact: http://www.mrwc.org.uk/ tel: 01403 791916

Whilst not one of the original 'big three' ex-racer charities, Heros, based at Wantage in Oxfordshire, is also now recognised and supported by ROR. Begun by Grace Muir in the 1990's, the charity's name stands for Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme. It's motto is " to pastures new", and it has successfully rehomed over 300 retired racehorses. Unlike TRC, Greatwood and Moorcroft, Heros does sell some of its horses, as well as placing others on loan, though of course the same careful matching process is required for horse and new homer.

Contact : http://www.heroscharity.org/ tel: 01488 638820

There are many more rehabilitation centres in the UK, of course, both privately run and charitable. ( Anyone know of any they can recommend ?)

Racehorse rehoming is now growing world-wide, too. I know of three organisations in USA:

CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses)

This is a not-for-profit organisation, with affiliate branches throughout the US. It takes a special interest in rescuing ex-racers from slaughter, and has strong links with the on-line club, Ex Racers.com , with joint members working on shared rescue projects.

Contact : http://www.canterusa.org/

ReRun Inc

To help the adoption of retired thoroughbred racers.

Contact: http://www.rerun.org/

New Vocations

Racehorse adoption organisation.

Contact: http://www.horseadoption.com/

Anyone out there with any details of the work of these groups, or anything similar elsewhere in the world?

Sheikh Mohammed's Racehorse Rehabilitation Centre

2008-05-26T19:27:00.004+01:00

This week's Horse and Hound magazine ( 22nd May) carries a very interesting article on Sheikh Mohammed's new 'in-house racehorse rehoming scheme'. A retraining centre has been set up at Badlingham Manor, in Cambridgeshire, for which the residents are all horses owned, funded, and specially chosen by the Sheikh himself. They are unlikely to be his best champion stallions, or any mares, since these will naturally be retained for breeding. But all of Sheikh Mohammed's horses are superbly bred, so anyone who is lucky enough to eventually acquire one of the retrained ones will be getting a fantastic horse - and a real bargain, as the new owners are only asked to make a donation of £100. Some horses go out on loan. (Of course, prospective rehomers have to pass a vetting and matching process first.)

The project is still quite new and small, having been started in 2006 and being able to take 20 horses at a time. No doubt the Sheikh - who owns thousands of racehorses worldwide - will be wanting to expand the programme as it gains momentum. It's good to see influential owners like him demonstrating a responsible and caring approach to their retired racers. Anyone wanting further details of the Badlingham Manor scheme can contact the manager, Sophie Candy by telephone : 01638 569130

The article has some details on racehorse rehabilitation methods, some of Badlingham's success stories, (Summoner, Beatnik, Old Kent Road), and an important note on the issue of overproduction of racehorses. I can't find a direct link to the feature at the moment, but will post it if I do. Meanwhile, the full article is on pages 28-32 of Horse and Hound (22 May 08)

It's Showtime !

2008-05-23T15:43:00.017+01:00

Here in Britain the showing season is upon us. (The pictures are of my mare Miraed, the only one of my present ex-racers that I've had any real showring success with so far. I'll introduce her to you properly in a later post) For me the show season is a time of frenzied late-evening and early-morning activity every weekend; bathing horses, washing and plaiting manes and tails, cleaning tack, retrieving the show jacket from the corner of the horsebox and trying to scrub and iron it back into respectability....

All this to get up at some stupid-o'clock dawn hour, drive your now-beautiful horse to a muddy ( or dusty) windswept field, meet up with a lot of like-minded lunatics, and then run up and down all day in driving rain or baking heat. It's a ritual called the Great British Horse Show, and people actually do it for fun. ( Some folks even take it seriously - but ex-racehorse owners are seldom able to do so, because ex-racers have a real talent for making their humans look complete idiots in public. A healthy sense of humour is pretty essential.)

Attending all these shows, large and small, throughout the summer months has always been a great way to accustom young horses to travelling and to riding in different situations. It works well for ex-racers too. Though they are usually good at loading and travelling ( after all, it was part of their former day-job), they benefit enormously in their retraining and rehabilitation process by getting out of a horsebox at a big gathering that ISN'T racing. The first couple of times, of course, the horse will get himself all excited and geared-up to race. He will be confused when you then ask him to do nothing more than trot up in hand once or twice. (In-hand classes are the safest to start off with. It's also best to have someone along to help you if, through nerves or frustration, your ex-racer decides to show you exactly what he used to do for a living.)

Gradually though, over the weeks, the horse will realize that travelling does not always result in racing, and he will learn to relax. He will come to enjoy the long, lolling-about hours between classes, with nothing to do but be petted and fed endless grass, hay and carrots. Eventually he will be blase enough to listen to you when you ask him to walk, trot and canter circles under saddle in the showring. That marks a great watershed achievement !

The biggest drawback to showing ex-racehorses ( for those interested in prizes, anyway) was always that, likely as not, these horses had various blemishes, scars, lumps and bumps acquired during their racing days. This meant they were heavily marked down against the flawless beauties who had never had a hard day's run in their lives. Recently, though, several groups have grown up which, in order to promote the rehabilitation and retraining of racehorses more widely, have begun to organise or sponsor show classes specifically for ex-racers.

Here are some of their details :

ROR - Retraining of Racehorses ( the largest official ex-racer charity in UK.) Presently they are organising the Tattersalls Show Series, the Retrained Racehorse Challenge, and the RoR/SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse series through shows around the country.

web: http://www.ror.org.uk/ email: info@ror.org.uk

Ex Racers Club - an online forum club that sponsors classes nationwide

web: http://www.exracersclub.com/ email: exracers@horse-directory.co.uk

Scottish & Northern Ex-Racerhorse Club - Similar to the above, but concentrating on events in Scotland and northern England.

web: http://www.scotnorthexracers.co.uk/ email: scotnorthexracers@fsmail.net

TARRA - Thoroughbred & Retired Racehorse Association - organizes classes in England
web: see http://www.ror.org.uk/ email: petergunn3@aol.com

In addition to these, more and more small local shows are now including TB/Ex-racehorse classes of their own in their schedules, so it's always worthwhile enquiring.

I'm guessing that similar things are happening in other countries too. Anyone out there know ?

Racehorse Rehabilitation on Display

2008-05-15T12:18:00.004+01:00

Two of Britain's top centres for racehorse rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming are inviting the public to visit this summer.

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, at Whinney Hill, Halton, near Lancaster, used to hold annual Open Days, but this year is offering a series of eight Open half-Days. The first ones are this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th May, 10.30am - 1.00pm. Further dates are June 14th-15th, September 13th-14th, and October 18th-19th. The tours will be hosted by TRC Director Julie Robinson, and Founder, Carrie Humble. Tickets cost £10, including refreshments, but each day is limited to 50 visitors, who must book in advance. TRC feel that this system will allow more people to visit overall, whilst reducing the stress and upheaval to the horses of one hugely busy event.

To book tickets telephone 01524 812649,

or get further information online at www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk

Meanwhile, at the other end of the country in Marlborough, Wiltshire, the retraining and rehoming centre Greatwood is planning an Open Day for Friends of Greatwood on 28th June. Friends of Greatwood have been pioneering a programme called Horse Power for children with special educational needs, who develop their learning and communication skills through interaction with the horses.

Peter Deal, Chairman of the BHA-backed Retraining of Racehorses organisation, was very impressed by his recent visit to see Horse Power in action. "I, and my colleagues, fully endorse Greatwood's innovative work with racehorses and special needs children, " he says, "and would encourage others to lend their support to this worthwhile cause."

Joining Friends of Greatwood costs just £5 per month. For details,

telephone 01672 514535

or for more information go online at www.racehorsesgreatwood.org

Greatood's founders. Helen and Michael Yeadon, are seeking to promote Horse Power nationally, and they have taken on Claudia Fisher ( former head of fundraising at Racing Welfare, and now running her own consultancy) to help. Initiatives such as this open up whole new life possibilities for ex-racehorses. As Greatwood's motto says, "The Finishing Line is Only the Beginning."

Ex-racehorse blues

2008-05-14T11:43:00.015+01:00

That was two years ago. And we are still no nearer solving Dara's puzzle. The cycle goes on and on. Dara is good, sweet, obliging, only occasionally stroppy, and (sometimes) even interested in doing something like work. We have enjoyable hacks out, and short schooling sessions where we seem to be making real progress. We can walk, trot, and canter very nicely, and without arguments. We can even pop over a low cross-pole jump, which Dara seems to enjoy. And just as I'm thinking the Bad Times are finally over - he does it again. The full, explosive bucking bronco bit - out of the blue and for no apparent reason.

The last time he did it ( back in the school again, fortunately) I'd only just that second sat on him. He'd been gentle as a lamb to tack up, and lead round - almost dozy, in fact. He was in no way stressed, or excited. Nor was I - he'd schooled beautifully the day before, and I was expecting only another short-but-sweet little session. The day was warm, calm and windless. There was nothing at all to spook him.

I led him to the mounting block , got aboard cleanly, and said 'Walk on.' As he took his first step, Dara wobbled a little, and his left leg brushed against the mounting block....

Six gigantic gazelle-leaps later, I was on the floor, being gently scraped up by a hansome but shocked workman who had been plastering a nearby wall and had run to help this maiden-in-distress. So, we were back to Square One, it seemed - and the manly arms so caringly around me did absolutely nothing to cheer me up !

I have tried every kind of check and therapy I can muster. Dara has always had his teeth and shoes tended regularly, and his saddle checked for fit countless times. There have been a whole variety of consultations with vets, back specialists, chiropractors, McTimoney practitioners - even a reading with a psychic horse- whisperer. ( Why not try everything ?) Most of the time there is nothing, or very little, to see. So we do the recommended exercises, and all seems well - till next time. The consensus thinking at present is that the root of the trouble could be a nerve that occasionally gets trapped somehwere. The next stage, then, would be to have scans done, and possibly surgery - all very expensive! And meanwhile Dara grazes and grows fat, vastly enjoying being purely a pet, without a care in the world. ( He should have my vet bills !)

With hindsight, would I have done anything differently ? Hmmm.... I could have been sensible, of course, taken the vet's advice and not bought Dara at all. But like I said, it seems I don't do sensible, where horses and money are concerned.

Perhaps I should have done more diagnostic tests earlier on, and at last saved some time. With an older horse this would have made a lot of sense. But everyone thought Dara, being young and immature, would simply grow out of it; after all, he had never had a fall racing, or any other injury. Maybe I should have worked him harder, sooner, and brought the problem to a head early on ? So many maybe's....

Ah well, we are where we are. Dara is fat, idle, and happy as a little piggy, and I'm saving up to fund the next round of investigations. Maybe I need my head straightening out... ?

Ups, downs, and puzzles

2008-05-08T20:55:00.010+01:00

A week later my bruises had (almost) gone, and I had convinced myself the whole episode was all my own fault. After all, Dara was sweet-natured and obedient, basically. Well, apart from the occasional bits of stroppiness when having his rug put on, or being led back into the stable.....But, he was, in any case, now in the throes of his 'awkward teenager' phase, both physically and mentally. I had to make allowances.... More than anything, I should have reminded myself that Dara was a young ex-racehorse. All his training had been to go-like-hell on the racecourse - nothing about dainty, well-mannered hacking round country villages. Gingerly I continued our daily rides. Dara was good. No more bucking. leaping and plunging. I - perhaps both of us - forgot about the bit of unpleasantness, and we regained our confidence in each other.

Dara blossomed physically when turned out to summer grazing. And mentally, too, he matured and relaxed. Every day I caught him up, and lunged him for fifteen minutes, and then climbed aboard for half an hour's ridden work. Sometimes we schooled in the field, and Dara finally got it with circles ( even though he was still a little stiff on the right rein, and seemed rather bored by the whole thing.) Other times we doodled around the village lanes, enjoying an outing in the sunshine. Nothing ever went wrong. I was mighty pleased.

But you should never count on progress being permanent, with ex-racehorses. Winter approached, and Dara came back home to the stableyard. And within a month he's done it again. The full buckaroo thing. This time I stuck on for six bucks and he landed me in the school shavings - so at least he didn't go runabout down Main Street again. And this time I put it down to naughtiness.

There had been no cold wind, no standing about. We were just walking a large circle, as so often, in the home schooling area. Dara was fresh - being stabled, now, and corn-fed. And I no longer had the large paddock space to turn him out every day for the giddy gallop-round he so enjoyed. But that was no excuse ! Was it ?

Even so, I reviewed everything, looking for a possible cause. ( Even daft young racehorses are usually only naughty for a reason.) Firstly, I altered Dara's feeding, cutting out the corn, reducing the sugar beet, and adding more fibre. I had his teeth checked again, to see if there was any discomfort there that might trigger his 'episodes'. I had his saddle checked too, to make sure it still fitted and hadn't started to pinch anywhere as he gained weight and muscle. But all was well in all these areas. He was not in any way unsound, or unwell. So what on earth was causing these sudden wild outbursts ?

Dara blows it

2008-05-07T12:35:00.005+01:00

With hindsight, I know it was bound to happen. Dara had had a very long vacation doing nothing much at all. I had wanted to give him time to mature and muscle-up physically, so had not pushed him with work. And, he had come from a very structured, disciplined environment, as most racehorses do, to one that was relaxed, quiet, unpressured. I've often noticed that horses who move from a hard-working life to a cushy one go through a giddy phase a few months later. It's as if they suddenly realise what fun not doing much can be, and they decide to retire from work altogether. Cue naughtiness, stubborness, sudden phobias for dogs or bicycles or bridles.....

And of course, I was expecting it - or at least, something , though thus far Dara had been amazingly good. One Saturday afternoon in February I was hacking him round the village, as usual. It was cold and windy, but despite this and the fact that we were on our own, Dara was reasonably settled; the worst he did was try to jog a bit, but he responded obediently when I told him to 'walk steady'. We went up a lane beside a stubble field, and I decided I'd try a few circles with him there ( we were allowed to ride on the stubble), and then go home and get warm.

At the top of the lane I discovered my friend Glynnis, filling up her ponies' water trough in the paddock opposite. I drew rein and made Dara 'stand' whilst I chatted - good training for him, in obedient patience if nothing else ! But the wind was cold, and we didn't linger too long. I walked Dara over onto the stubble, and started the large sweep of a right-rein circle.

I don't know exactly what happened next ... I remember Dara resisting the rein-pressure, and then suddenly, he wheeled, and reared ( I think), and then I was up in the air and Dara was taking huge leaps, like a gazelle....(Afterwards Glynnis said she'd never seen anyhing like it !). I think I stayed on for four, maybe five, of these almighty bucks, and then I hit the stubble and Dara hit the bolt-for-home button.

I remember crouching on my hands and knees in the mud ( thank goodness it was mud ! Hard ground would have fractured something for me) and watching Dara disappear at full gallop into the distance. Glynnis came running over, but though I was badly winded, and couldn't move or speak, we both realised I was going to survive. Gynnis left me there to regain my wind whilst she drove off to find Dara, who was now clattering along the road headed for the village.

Eventually I managed to stand, and very sorely limped back down the lane, making mental notes to upgrade all my insurances. I hobbled half a mile back into the village, and eventually found Glynnis and Dara partway down Main Street, where a neighbour had shooed and cornered him into a garden. He was looking rather pleased with himself and his little adventure. Don't you just love a Thoroughbred ! Nobly, and against all my better judgement, I insisted on remounting and riding Dara home. Dara seemed quite taken aback, and swished his tail a lot, but I knew I had to do it, right now - or maybe I never would.

Back home at last, with Dara bedded down and happily munching hay in his stable, I soaked my aching body in a hot bath, and tried to figure it all out. What on earth had triggered that outburst ? It was so out of character for him. It had to me my fault, somehow. What had I done wrong ?

Honeymoon

2008-04-30T17:17:00.008+01:00

At that point, of course, any sane and sensible person would have sighed, maybe even shed a small tear, and then said 'No thanks'. After all, there are lots of nice horses out there, of all kinds ; and thousands of racehorses retire from training every year. But the words 'sane' and 'sensible' are seldom found in the same sentence as 'ex-racehorse owner' . ( Often not even in the same chapter !)

And so Dara came to live with me. I was very careful with him, doing nothing to over-tax him whilst he relaxed, grew and matured. He was very under-cooked, physically. Though he was four, he looked like a backward three-year-old. As so often with young racers, all his high-performance feeding had gone into producing energy for the racetrack, not bodybuilding. I was convinced this immaturity was the cause of his suspect hind action. With rest, food, and gradual muscle-building, I figured, he'd just grow out of it.

For the first four months I never even sat on him, just led him around the village, did some long-reining and lungeing, and concentrated on bonding and relationship-building. He was nervy at first, understandably, but soon settled and decided he liked being a pet. He was well-mannered , affectionate, communicative, and gave no problems. When I finally did climb aboard, he was good as gold. We were soon hacking quietly round the lanes in half-hour sessions. Dara was calm in the small amount of traffic we met, and didn't mind tractors, dogs or kids with footballs. (Though he did snort in disgust at one sweet child who started squealing loudly as we drew alongside. I almost did the same.) Dara was adorable. I loved him to bits.

And so the six months refund period passed, with nothing to report. All seemed to be going well with darling Dara.

Decisions, decisions......

2008-04-26T07:41:00.010+01:00

I wasn't there for the vetting. I couldn't leave work. But the Nice Vet Lady called me afterwards and gave a full verbal report.

Dara was a sweet horse, she said ( accurate, if not very clinical), and she thought 'he would respond well to being a one-person horse' - as opposed to one of many in a professional racing yard. His conformation and general condition were good, though he was a little underweight and immature for his age. He had good sound feet, with no signs of problems. She noted he had very tight , even sore, muscles over his back behind the saddle area, which was puzzling considering he'd been turned out to grass all summer.

And then came the big Buts. There was a bony lump inside the right hind fetlock below the joint in the pastern. It may not be significant, she said ( just as I thought) - but ' in a young horse it's rather worrying'. Ohhhh......
When moving, he turned in slightly with his right foreleg (and it WAS slight - certainly not plaiting) -but it indicated uneven weight-bearing. He moved very close, almost brushing with his feet, especially at trot and especially behind. Indeed, she was not happy with his hind movement at all, especially on his right side. His flexion tests had been fine, and he'd turned well enough - but there was a something that was not quite as it should be. Of course, some of it could be down to physical immaturity.....She was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt - to some extent. But I might find it hard, she said, to get insurance cover for veterinary fees.

In short, she concluded ( and was to follow it up in her written certificate) - in her opinion, Dara's 'noted conditions' were, 'on the balance of probabilities, likley to prejudice his use for general riding.' Eeekkk!
She advised me not to buy him. Double-eeekk.

This was devastating news. After all, I was in love - Dara was The One. What to do ? I contacted all my horsey friends and asked for advice. They all said something different. It ranged from the comforting 'he'll grow out of it' to the 'not with a bargepole!' line. I was still dithering when Dara's owner phoned me, wanting to know the results, and my decision. I blurted out the findings. The owner was offended. 'He's never been unsound, never had the slightest problem !' he assured me. He also reminded me that someone else had already asked for Dara if I didn't want him. Eventually - because I couldn't let go - he offered a small refund ( £250) if Dara proved to be unsound from his back or hind leg defects after six months. Take it or leave it.

I'd paid £200 for a veterinary examination and the vet's advice. Was I to totally ignore it ?

Meet Dara the Indecipherable

2008-04-21T21:19:00.010+01:00

So now that I've figured out how to post photos, I reckon it's time I introduced you all to my terrible trio of ex-racers. I'll do it in easy stages, to minimise shock and alarm....

I've kept ex-racehorses for over thirty years, one way or another ; honourably- retired old jumpers, failed flat-race youngsters, flashy stallions and venerable broodmares. At the moment I have three horses all taken straight out of training over the past four years; Dara, Miraed, and Big H. They are all different and, though the aim is only to re-school them into simply-for-pleasure riding horses, for my own enjoyment, they are all at different stages and their rehabilitation progress has been erratic, to say the least. From now on, I'll keep you posted; be ready for a lot of ups and downs !

So, first up, say hello to Dara .

Formal stuff, for those into bloodstock ;

Name: Laird Dara Mac, (GB) dark bay gelding , foaled 4th May 2000, by Presidium out of Nishara

Petnames - Darling Dara, or Dara the Divilment, depending on his mood. Which says it all, really !

Dara was foaled, reared and put into race training all on the same farm in Malton, North Yorkshire. He was a great favourite there, apparently, because of his sweet and gentle nature. He was easy and straighforward to break-in, was regularly hacked out by the trainer's 11-year-old nephew, and sometimes raced with a girl jockey aboard. Between the ages of 3 and 4 he raced seven times, on the flat and over hurdles. He was last, or nearly last, every time ( except the final race of his career, when he pulled up before the second hurdle ; Dara showing his dontwanna streak ?) His owner got the message and put him up for sale as a riding horse, a 'real gentleman'. ( If you sense a doom-laiden 'but then' - you're absolutely right !)

This is where I came in. I'd been searching for a pretty little horse ( just like my much-loved old mare, now deceased) for ages. I'd seen lots, and never felt right about any of them. This was to be a horse for ME - not chosen to suit someone else; it had to be 'right', in that subconscious, instinctive way that most women, and even some men, if they are true horse-lovers, will understand. I walked into the stable yard and a dark bay head, pretty as a picture with a white star, rushed to look over the door and whinny at me. I was in love.

As soon as I saw him, I new Dara was The One. Of course, being a sensible woman with years of horse experience , I didn't shout out loud 'That's it ! He's coming home with me !' Oh no indeedy. I did all the proper, sensible things. I had him walked and trotted out. Asked loads of questions. Spent some time with him unsupervised in the stable, and felt him all over, pulled his ears and tail, picked up all his feet, checked his mouth. All the stuff you do. I arranged to come back another day, and saw him tacked up and ridden, before getting on him to try him myself - walk, trot, and finally ( what the heck!) canter. Good as gold ! No bucking, jogging, or pulling. We even had good brakes . I was ready to talk money. And of course, because I was determined to have Dara, and it must have been pretty obvious from the soppy, besotted grin on my face, the owner levered out of me more than I had wanted to pay. But who cares? - not me ! The deal was agreed, and Dara was mine - subject to vetting.

Ah yes, I still had enough of my wits about me ( and a big enough hole gouging out of my bank balance) to insist on a veterinary examination. And - well - that's where the Dara saga starts getting more complicated.

On Parade at Newbury

2008-04-15T21:04:00.017+01:00

Last Saturday ( 12th April) some friends from the Ex-Racers Club gave a parade of their reschooled ex-racehorses at Newbury Racecourse. Fifteen of them - as glorious a bunch of recycled ex-racers as you could wish to see !

There were all different types, ages, race-records, and stages of rehabilitation, but all of them ( well - most !) behaved superbly, and every one was in tip-top condition and beautifully turned out. Handsome Badshah won the Best Turned Out prize, judged and presented by former Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion . Both he and John Francome, who was commentating for Channel 4 Racing, said how impressed they were with all the horses on parade.

All these ex-racers had been re-trained for various different activities, and the riders dressed according to their horses' new disciplines. So, people wore showing jackets , showjumping gear, cross-country kit - and one girl even wore a full side-saddle habit, her lovely bay looking the perfect ladies' hack, just to show how versatile the post-racing Thoroughbred can be.

Ex-racehorse parades are becoming popular at race meetings these days. People love to see how well the horses have retrained and adapted, physically and mentally - especially if they remember a horse from its racing days. But this event at Newbury was very special. It was done as a Memorial Tribute to Sian O'Gorman, who died last year, and was followed by a race held in her honour.

Sian was a long-time, and much-loved, member of the Ex-Racers Club. Witty and wise, and with a real talent for the written word, she was known for her informative and sometimes hilarious posts, and her willingness to help anyone, in any way she could. She lived and worked in the Lambourn area, in the heart of the racing world, and she loved racehorses, - both former and current - with a passion. She raced her own horse, Mother Says ( known at home as Philip), and when he retired from the track they went hunting and showing. Not only that, Sian also helped rehome dozens of other retiring racehorses over the years. It was no wonder that the crowds turned out to cheer the parade and race held to commemorate her.

So her beloved Philip, now in the care of Sian's friend Laura, travelled down from Yorkshire to head the parade on Saturday. He wore Sian's racing paddock sheet, and Laura sprinked him all over with golden dust. The other paraders came from all over the country. It had taken eight months of organising and hectic fundraising by the Ex-Racers Club to arrange it all, and pay for the race sponsorship and trophies. But it was worth it ! There were a few tears, but many more cheers , and the rain held off till after Sian's race. Sian's doing, we reckoned. Her race was won by the Queen's horse, Barbers Shop. Two of the other jockeys fell off. Wonder if Sian had a hand in that, too...?

After the Grand National...?

2008-04-11T14:07:00.010+01:00

So what happens to Grand National racehorses when they retire and become ex-racehorses ?

Everyone knows about Red Rum, of course ( winner in 1973, 1974, and 1977, and second in 1975 and 1976). He became a much-loved celebrity, touring the UK making public appearances to his adoring fans and raising big money for good causes. I remember seeing Rummy once at the Great Yorkshire Show. What a star ! The equine George Clooney of his day.

At the other extreme, there was poor Hello Dandy ( winner 1984), who retired to go hunting but then fell on hard times and ended up being rescued, in a pretty poor state, by the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre. Fortunately, they were able to pull him through and provide him with another dozen years of happy, 5-star comfort in his old age . He died last year, much mourned, at the grand age of 33.

But what of all the others ? The Grand National attracts huge fields - up to 40 runners every year. Where do they all go ? Most of the Aintree runners are geldings (Only 13 mares have won the race in its 170 -odd year history .) So, comparatively few will end up in the breeding paddocks.

Almost by definition, a Grand National horse - whether it wins or not - will be brave, strong, athletic, and clever. And since they can't really carry on at that peak level much past middle age, however good they are, they tend to be retired at an age when, if sound enough, they could easily forge a new, slightly less demanding, career. Lots of them go eventing, or find a new lease of life in the hunting field, doing for sheer fun what they used to do for a living. I know the 1975 winner L'Escargot gave his grateful rider some wonderful days hunting.
Others are kept on at or near their old training yards, cared for by doting staff and occupied as nursemaids and schoolmasters for all the incoming youngsters, equine and human. Miinnehoma ( winner 1994) was retired close to Martin Pipe's yard, in the care of former Head Lad Dennis Dummett, to become a huge celebrity and a regular in the annual Parade of Grand National Winners at Aintree.

Lots of these great horses have owners who truly love them, and take the decision to retire them early, even if still 'at the top', rather than put them through any more risk as they get older. Quite right too - they've earned it ! So well done to Trevor Hemmings, the owner of Hedgehunter, that brilliant National specialist and winner in 2005 whose retirement has just been announced. The old warrior ( and 5-times National runner) is going to live on the Isle of Man with his owner, hunting, hacking and , I bet, being spoilt rotten. Good old Hedgie !

It's harder, though, to trace what happens to the also-rans. But I do know of some. Akarus and Royal Predica both went to the same home when they retired from racing, were reschooled, and forged a successful new life as show horses in ex-racer classes. And also as beloved, pampered pets ! The same applies to Kendal Cavalier, who ran in the 1999 and 2000 Nationals, and is now a much-loved pleasure horse who enjoys charity Fun Rides. Burlu, ( National runner in 2003) , these days is a happy hacker, preparing for his first season as a just-for-fun riding club horse.

What about all the others ? Anybody know ?

Day at the Sales ( Bloodstock, not shoes)

2008-04-05T11:39:00.000+01:00

Last Tuesday I went with a friend to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales. Not that I was seeking another ex-racehorse. ( Though the bloodstock sales can be a good place to find one. I've bought several ex-racers this way over the years, including Miraed and Big H. I'll be mentioning more about bloodstock sales in later posts.) But on Tuesday we were really there just for an interesting jolly, and to check out the brand-spanking-new sales complex DBS have just built.

It was impressive - modern, hi-tech, light, airy and clean. ( Doubt it will stay clean for long, though, with horsey people around.) Not so sure about the carpet, however ( which, I was told, they'd only finished fitting the night before. Ahh - glad I'm not the only last-minuter.) This carpet was cream-coloured - just hope it will stand up to lots of washing !

And - shock! horror! - they've stopped selling in guineas ! All the bidding was in pounds. (Though some of the auctioneers kept forgetting, and saying 'guineas' anyway.) Now I know many people these days don't actually know what a 'guinea' is. ( One pound and one shilling, in old sterling currency. Historically the auctioneers took the shilling as their commission. Now DBS have replaced all that with a 6% buyer's premium - which I reckon works out a bit better for them !) But it's rather sad to see yet another tradition gone.

This particular sale, the Lincoln Handicap Sale, was specifically for younger racehorses, ready to enter training or to move up in their racing careers. ( And some beauties there were . ) So, although a few sold for low money ( £600-£800), most fetched healthy 4-figure sums. All the ones we specially liked sold well - (£12,000 - £38,000). Ok, so we've got good taste in horseflesh - pity our pockets will never match it!

Even so, anyone looking for a prospective retired racehorse to retrain as, say, a show-jumper, or eventer, or even a dressage horse, could have chosen from twenty or more in the £1000-£3000 bracket. That would be cheap for a sound young horse 'ready to go on'.

But of course, with ex-racehorses ( however lightly raced) it's never wise to assume those words 'sound' and 'ready' actually apply. In my experience they often don't - on one or both counts ! That's where the fun starts... and the expense. Oh, why do we do it...?

A non-flying start , but then...

2008-03-31T23:17:00.000+01:00

One thing's for sure - compared to setting up this blog, retraining retired racehorses is a doddle ! Easy-peasy. I'm late with this second episode of Ex-racehorse Life because I've been battling techno-gremlins. ( The ones that won't let you click on anything you want, and take you round in circles instead. Grrr!) I wanted to post some pictures of my Terrible Trio of ex-racers, but the combined efforts of myself, my best mate, a web designer and a savvy techno-wizz 10-year-old kid could not figure out how to do it. So, the photos will have to wait.

Instead, I'll boast about Miraed's triumph of an outing yeterday. ( Miraed is my 9-year-old ex-racer mare by Project Manager. She's AKA Mighty Miraed, Miraed the Merciless, or Wicked Witch Miraed, depending on the mood she's been in that day. She can be very hormonal. And very stroppy.) So, on Sunday we took her to a dressage schooling clinic, held by the Ex-racers Club, for her first outing since her day's drag-hunting in January.

Miraed has now had three years of patience-wearing re-schooling, with little to show for it. It's not that she has any ex-racehorse hang-ups any more. Or that she doesn't understand what she is being asked to do. She understands perfectly! She knows very well how to self-collect, strike off on the correct leg, and come down nicely over the bit with good self-carriage. But knowing it ain't doing it, in Miraed's case - at least, not for very long. Too much like hard work. Makes the muscles ache... So, big no-no's and donwannas.

So yesterday, she started off reluctant as ever, gracelessly humouring us for a little while. Then she got fed up with that, and returned to her favoured mode of dashing round with her head up like a runaway camel. But then, quite suddenly after 20 minutes or so ( just as the instructor was starting to have a crisis of confidence) - wonder of wonders ! - she gave in ! She started to do it all beautifully . Success at last !

Having long ago learned to quit while you're ahead when retraining ex-racehorses ( because you're unlikely to stay ahead long, so don't push your luck !) - we bowed out of the school shortly afterwards. Then, as a complete change, we let Miraed have a go at the little cross-country track. And - Miraed the Marvellous flew round it like an old pro ( though she'd never seen it before ). She just loved it. I was thrilled.

I''m just hoping that , after all my patient ( and impatient) struggles, I can have a similar breakthrough with my I.T systems !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

2008-03-20T22:41:00.000Z

Big birthday celebrations today - and not just for this new blog about retraining and rehabilitating ex-racehorses. I specially waited to start on this date, 20th March, because it's my Grandad's birthday. Well - would have been. He was born in 1892, so he'd be 116 today. ( And if he were still around, he'd be straight out to the stables to give our ex-racers a pat, and then off down the bookies...) He did make his century, though - got the telegramme from the Queen and all. ( What a party that was !) Anyway - it's all Gran's fault that I'm so totally besotted with horses, and with racehorses and retired racehorses in particular.

My Gran was a great horseracing man. (And a great - but hopeless! - gambling man.) He was keeping lookout for street-corner bookmakers in the 1930's, when off-course betting was illegal in the UK. ( Well, times were hard ...) He would get betting tips in his dreams ( some good ones, too !,) and when he was in his nineties he was still trundling off to the bookies' every day, pension money in hand ( but not for long.) Yet, much as he loved the gambling, he loved the horses themselves far more.

I grew up hearing his tales of the great champion racehorses of his heyday in the 30's - Golden Miller and Hyperion, Reynoldstown and Seabiscuit. . One of my earliest frequent memories is of toddler-me standing on a chair beside Gran as he leaned over the big polished radiogram, the pages of 'Sporting Life' spread wide across the top. As the racing results of the day came in, he'd mark them off on the pages with a stubby pencil. I soon got to learn the names of winners. Then - the best bit - Gran would draw pictures of horses for me all over the newspaper.

So there was little hope for me, really - I was hooked on racehorses very young. I began riding at 2 years of age, and the rot quickly set in. I got my first ex-racer when I was 12, and have been loving, learning and living with them ever since. Every one of them has been different, an individual personality with his/her own story to tell, and lessons to teach me.

My poor Grandad never actually owned so much as a donkey in all his life, much less a racehorse. But I now have 3 ex-racers: Dara, Miraed, and Big H. ( You'll be meeting them later if you stick around.) Gran would be thrilled. I get involved in rehoming and reschooling other ex-racehorses, too. And every time I even think about maybe adopting another one, I can hear my naughty Gran chuckling up on his cloud and urging me on. ( Who cares about the bank manager ?)

So, Happy Birthday, Gran ! Thanks for all you have taught me, the wonderful, ups-and-downs-laughs-and-tears life it's brought me, and all the amazing ex-racehorses I've had the privilege to meet through it.

Now I'm going to share it all in this blog.