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
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ROA gives more to ROR
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.
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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Grand National to dressage - Royal Predica makes the leap!
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.”
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.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Grand National winners parade
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.
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
R.O.R Helpline for Ex-racehorse Owners
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 !)
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 !)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hohlethelonely takes a rain check
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ten Tips for Loaning Out Your Horse
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.
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