Ex-Racehorses at Cheltenham - TV Channel 4

Channel 4 is generally very supportive of ex-racehorses, and did pretty well by them in its coverage of the Cheltenham Festival today. The programme opened with those emotional and now famous shots of Big Buck's after his last race at Cheltenham a year ago, being applauded as he was led away into most honourable retirement by a tearful Rose Loxton – who was crying with relief that the old warrior had come through his final battle safe and sound.

Then followed a really lovely piece on the 'Four Kings' who reigned at Paul Nicholl's Ditcheat yard in those glorious days – Big Buck's, Denman, Masterminded, and of course Kauto Star. The four greats, brilliant champions all, were reunited now to hack together across Cleve Hill. Partnered by their civilian riders – who had donned the old boys' racing colours for the occasion – they strolled relaxed and contented over the hill that overlooks Prestbury Park, the scene of so many of their greatest victories, while the commentator recounted their various triumphs.

It was wonderful, and quite moving, to see them again, all well, handsome and happy in their new, less demanding, but still interesting lives.

It's a pity, though, that Channel 4 did not include a mention of the parade of ex-racehorses that we glimpsed going on behind Clare Balding. Very frustrating! It was a great parade this year, arranged as usual on the opening day of the Festival by Retraining of Racehorses. The divine duo, Kauto and Denman, were there, as well as Big Buck's – his first Cheltenham Ex-racehorse Parade since he retired last year. But there were other greats too, including the 2008 Grand National winner Comply or Die, the brilliant hurdler and Feltham Novices Chase winner Grands Crus, Ladbroke Hurdle winner Jack the Giant, Blazing Bailey, Miko de Beauchene, Sentry Duty, and Ortolan.

All these old boys were brilliant racehorses, but they have all now been highly successful at becoming re-trained racehorses too. Several of them are enjoying life in the hunting field – Denman, Big Buck's, Blazing Bailey, and Miko de Beauchene – and Denman loves his teamchasing too. Kauto Star and Comply or Die are now taking well to dressage, which Grands Crus tackled successfully too, as well as showing, before moving on to become a showjumper with current ridersJulie Reynolds and Nichola Topper. Jack the Giant, like so many ex-racers, has become a champion of the showring, whilst Ortolan is eventing with Polly Stockton, a member of the British World Class Performance squad. Moving from one prize-winning job to another like this may takes time and dedication, but these great old champions show it can certainly be done.

Full details of the horses in the parade are here:

1. BIG BUCKS (Hunting) - Lucy Tucker

12 years old by Cadoudal

He ran 40 times over hurdles and fences, earning over £1.3 million in prize money. The only horse to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle four times (2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012). Won a record 18 consecutive races over hurdles.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Following his retirement from racing in 2014 Big Buck's moved to Locketts Farm in Dorset with Lucy Tucker. Here his days vary from hacking, hunting and being a work companion for the point to pointers. He is hunted regularly with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hounds ridden by either Lucy or senior master Mike Felton. Lucy is planning on giving him a short break before bringing him back in and starting to do some jumping work with him before aiming to compete in some RoR classes over the summer months.

2. BLAZING BAILEY (Hunting) - Sarah Welford

13 year old bay gelding by Mister Baileys

He ran 48 times on the flat, over hurdles and fences notching up over £380K in prize money. He won a total of 12 races. He ran four times at the Cheltenham Festival finishing 3rd in the Triumph Hurdle and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Trained by Alan King

Blazing Bailey has been looked after by Sarah Welford since arriving at Alan King's yard as a three year old, so upon retirement his owners, Three Line Whip, decided that they would give him to her. Following his retirement from racing he has been hunting on a number of occasions. They have been competing in hunter trials and team chases as well as lots of hacking. He also has a new role in leading the babies on the gallops at the stud that Sarah is now running. Sarah says Bailey is thoroughly enjoying his retirement.

3. COMPLY OR DIE (Dressage) - Verity Green

16 year old by Old Vic

Ran in 31 races both over hurdles and fences. Won 8 races and over £798,000 in prize money. In 2008 he won the John Smiths Grand National and was runner-up in 2009.

Trained by David Pipe

Following his retirement from racing 2011 Comply Or Die spent his time with Verity Green being a lead horse for the young horses on the gallops. He started hunting in 2011 and continues to go out as much as he can. Although good to ride and handle, Comply Or Die still has great spirit and likes to remind anyone on board that he still has it! Verity took up dressage with him last year and qualified for the RoR dressage finals in Leicestershire in November at introductory level. This year will see them continuing with dressage and they hope to move up a level and qualify for the finals again.

4. DENMAN (Team Chasing) - Charlotte Alexander

15 year old by Presenting

Ran 24 times winning 14 races and over £1.1m in prize money. He ran at the Festival for six consecutive seasons, winning the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and 2007 Royal & Sun Alliance Chase. He was three times runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and twice won the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Denman moved to Charlotte Alexander at the beginning of September 2012. Once fit he was introduced to sponsored rides and then hunting. Denman took to hunting like a duck to water. He jumps everything from walls and rails to hedges and ditches. However, in April 2013 disaster struck when Denman went lame due to a bone infection, this was then followed by a blood disorder resulting in five months in equine hospital. Thanks to the care given and overseen by Ian Wright at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, the support of his owner Paul Barber and Denman's renowned fighting spirit he is now back to full fitness. Recently has been back out in the hunting field in preparation for the coming team chase season.

5. GRANDS CRUS (Showjumping) - Nicola Topper

10 year old by Dom Alco

Had 20 starts in NH flat races, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 7 races and over £249K in prize money. He was 2nd to Big Buck's in the 2011 Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Trained by David Pipe

Following his retirement from racing at the end of 2013 Grands Crus moved to Julie Reynolds to start his retraining. Since then he has taken to his new career very well and he debuted in a class at the Three Counties Show last June finishing fourth. He has since completed two dressage competitions and been placed eighth and fifth. Julie is having regular lessons and has now started showjumping with him. Julie is looking forward to retuning to the Three Counties Show again this year and is also starting to train for eventing. He will be in the parade by Nicola Topper who has been doing a combination of flat and jump work with him.

6. JACK THE GIANT (Showing) - Allister Hood

13 year old by Giant's Causeway

26 starts on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 9 races and over £223K in win/prize money.

Trained by Nicky Henderson

Following his retirement from racing in 2010 a syndicate was set up of six Newmarket ladies called "The Jack Pots" to buy Jack and send him to Allister Hood to retrain for a career in the show ring. Jack The Giant took to this very well and soon became a name within the top show classes. His biggest win was in the Tattersalls/RoR Championship at Hickstead last year. The pair were also second in the RoR/Jockey Club Novice Championship at Aintree and fourth at the Horse of the Year Show. The plan is to continue in the show ring in 2015 and again qualify for the RoR Championships.

7. KAUTO STAR (Dressage) - Laura Collett

15 year old bay gelding by Village Star

Ran 41 times over hurdles and fences winning over £2m and 23 races. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and again in 2009, the King George a record breaking five times and the Betfair Chase three times. He ran a total of six times at the Cheltenham Festival during his career.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Since arriving with Laura Collett, Kauto Star has taken to his retirement routine very well. Laura says he is a pleasure to work with and is enjoying all the work that has been asked of him at home. Along with his retraining for dressage, he enjoys hacking out, spending time in the field and having the occasional jump. Kauto Star has done demonstrations at Newbury, Barbury Castle and Burghley, together with his annual trips to Kempton Park and the Cheltenham Festival. He will start competing in dressage competitions this year.

8. MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (Hunting) - Tracey Phillips

15 year old bay gelding by Nashamaa

He had 43 runs under rules including hurdles and fences. He won 4 races and over £203K in prize money. His wins included the Coral Welsh National in 2007 and the Vodka Red Square Gold Cup at Haydock in 2008.

Trained by Venetia Williams

Since finishing his racing career, Miko De Beauchene and Tracey Phillips have been hunting several times with the North Cotswold Hunt and have completed fun rides in the Cotswolds, which he thoroughly enjoys. He is now enjoying taking part in some hunter trials, eventing and showjumping competitions. He has also been taking part in the RoR showing classes and has been placed in these.

9. ORTOLAN (Eventing) - Polly Stockton

10 year old chestnut gelding by Next Desert

Ran 6 times, placed on one occasion.

Trained by David Pipe / Donald McCain

After an uninspiring racing career, Ortolan's owners Allan and Stella Stennett sent him to event rider Polly Stockton in 2012. Polly, a member of the British World Class Performance squad, has brought him on and he has now been competing for three seasons, regularly delivering double clears in cross-country and showjumping and going up in grade. His 2014 season culminated in victory in the Intermediate class at Little Downham. At the inaugural RoR Awards in 2014 Ortolan was named joint Elite Eventing Champion.

10. SENTRY DUTY (Hunting) - Emma Carpenter

13 year old by Kahyasi

He ran 47 times on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 11 races and over £264K in prize money.

Trained by Nicky Henderson

Emma Carpenter took Sentry Duty on in September after he had spent some time with her mother relaxing and switching off after his retirement from racing. He then went pre-season hunting for the first time in October last year followed by attending the opening meet in November. He has continued to hunt all season with the Clifton-Upon-Teme Hunt and the North Cotswold. He is also used by Emma to lead her daughter's pony on. Emma has even taught at Pony Club on him. He has started schooling over poles and is preparing to take part in the RoR Challenge classes this year.

Grands Crus enjoying his new job

Not Choosing an Ex-racehorse

I'm currently helping my friend Zoe seek a horse to buy. She is adamant she does NOT want an ex-racehorse –and, much as I love ex-racers, I entirely agree with her. Because a retired racehorse, however well re-trained, is not right for everyone.

Zoe is a 40-something working mum, returning to riding after a career-&-kids gap of some twenty years. She's always loved horses, and used to ride well, but after such a long gap says she's 'forgotten more than she ever knew'. (If only more people were so honest, and realistic!) Actually I think Zoe is exaggerating, but she's certainly rusty, unfit, and lacking in confidence. And, she has no previous experience with racehorses, 'ex' or otherwise.

She has been sensible, and had some refresher lessons on a steady riding school cob. She's keen to learn, knows her present limitations, and now has the flexi-time and money to do justice to a horse of her own. And, she's chosen a good livery yard where help, advice, and riding buddies will always be on hand.

Even so, and ex-racehorse would definitely not be right for her, at least not just now. A Thoroughbred is seldom a dope-on-a-rope type. A well-rehabilitated retired racehorse can be patient and kind and remarkably forgiving of human numpties. But even the best ex-racer will always be fast, sensitive, a bit unpredictable, a bit 'hair-triggered.' And, being highly intelligent and perceptive, ex-racers are quick to sense human moods. They can start to worry, or take advantage, if they detect hesitancy, anxiety or fear in a handler/rider. And a worried, or bolshie, ex-racehorse reacts swiftly, lithely, and sometimes dangerously.

An ex-racer, perhaps more than any other type of horse, needs humans who are calm, confident 'herd-leader' types, people who know what they are doing and are happy to harness and enjoy all the positive characteristics a former racehorse will have.

An ex-racehorse does NOT need a rider/handler who doesn't know the right thing to do with them, who is nervous, a bit clumsily heavy-handed, dithering and slow to react, or too physically unfit to get on board quick 'n' easy. ( And at the moment, Zoe tick all those boxes! But she's working on it....)

One really depressing thing we found, trawling through the Horses For Sale sites, was how often we saw this phrase: “ I just can't give him the exercise/time/commitment/ lifestyle he needs”. ( I found much the same thing recently looking at rehoming ads for young Border Collies. So sad.) Well, hello ... OF COURSE an animal needs time and commitment from its human! And all creatures need exercise. Generally, (except perhaps for sloths and iguanas) four legs need more exercise than two. And ex-racehorses ( and Border Collies!) need LOTS more! What a pity people do not always consider these things before going out and acquiring an animal.

Thoroughbreds can be very high-maintenance. An ex-racehorse will certainly need more, in terms of time, commitment, and money, as well as exercise, than many other horses would. Ex-racers, especially ones recently out of training, need more feeding than other breeds, and more rugging in winter. They need more attention from the farrier, the horse dentist, and probably from a back-specialist. They may well need special pills-and-potions for brittle feet, ulcers, stress, weight gain, etc, etc. Sounds like a bottomless money-pit? Yupp, afraid so.

Ex-racehorses, especially when in a new home, are happier in the company of other horses. (And happy usually means easy to manage.) As with most horses, they can become very stressed if kept alone for long periods. And for a new ex-racehorse/human partnership, it's best if there are other people around too, just in case anything goes wrong during the settling-in phase, when it's more likely to happen. Also, having another, steady horse to ride out with is a great idea, certainly until the new horse and rider have got to know and trust each other. And that, of course, takes time, and patience. And commitment ( from other people, as well as yourself.)

Most especially, an ex-racehorse needs exercise – whether that's through riding, lungeing/long-reining, or simply walking in-hand – as well as daily turnout ( even if only for an hour in a sand pit) Unlike some steadier breeds, ex-racers cannot be kept stabled for two or three days without proper exercise, and have no nasty consequences. (Try it, – the ex-racer will come out of the stable like a champagne cork. Then try to ride, if you dare!) So if you only have time for a half-hour hack twice a week, an ex-racehorse is probably not for you – unless you have someone to help with the exercising when you can't do it.

And don't think you can get away with turning your ex-racer out in a field 24/7, and then happily hopping on board when you get a moment, 'because he's had plenty of exercise.....'. Afraid it doesn't seem to work like that. Thoroughbreds are smart, and inquisitive, and usually keen to be doing something. If they lack human contact and interaction, and have no-one giving them stuff to do and think about, they will soon make up their own entertainment and lifestyle choices – which may not include you! They may become hard to catch, and bad-mannered to handle and difficult to ride. They will have turned into naughty schoolboys on holiday who simply don't wanna go back to school/work.

If this all sounds likely to put people off getting an ex-racehorse, that may be a good thing. When someone ends up with an animal – horse, dog, ant-eater, whatever – that just isn't right for them, it often ends in misery for all concerned. The animal can't be blamed for not being 'suitable'. It's the human who makes the choices, so it's important to consider everything very carefully, and honestly, before making a decision. Ex-racehorses are, nearly always, gorgeous – but sometimes just not 'appropriate'.  

Denman gallops again - just for the fun of it!

It was lovely to see the great Denman out parading, under saddle, at Newbury races on Saturday. The old boy looked fantastic – at fifteen years of age, he was still a magnificent barrow-load of muscle, energy, and well-being. As he was ridden round the parade ring by his new 'Mum', Charlotte Alexander, he was clearly enjoying all the cheering adulation he received, and had a distinct air of “Yup, I am The Greatest” about him.

“He loves parading before his race at Newbury,” Charlotte said. “He particularly likes hearing all the clapping when walking round the ring and the cheering when galloping back past the stands having led the runners out onto the track. Denman knows he is a star and deserves all the praise lavished upon him — he is an exceptionally brave horse”.

Denman suffered serious illness in 2013, when he contracted a potentially fatal blood and bone infection, and spent five months in equine hospital.

“He has taken ages to build up strength and muscle and he is now progressing in leaps and bounds,” Charlotte reports. Denman is now a regular out in the hunting field, and loving it. “He is such a happy horse and it is incredible that he is able to leap across the country as he does. He is like a spitfire, quick, exciting and beautiful.”

Denman doesn't parade much - “He's too busy hunting!” - but he makes a special effort to attend 'his' race , the Denman Chase. It was named after him because he triumphed so brilliantly in it in 2008 (as well as winning two Hennessy Gold Cups at the same Newbury track, in 2007 and 2009). This year, as he led the runners out onto the track, he swaggered along as if he was looking forward to showing all the young whipper-snappers, and everyone else, just how the race should be run – and won! When the runners set off for the start, and Charlotte steered Denman aside and let him open up in a gallop past the grandstand, the crown roared their cheers for him, and Denman looked like he was ready to show them all what proper galloping meant. He would probably have loved to have joined the runners.

The point is, he didn't. Because Denman is an EX-racehorse now. Great as he was back then, his life has moved on. What was so lovely to see was that, though he took a strong enough hold as they galloped, when Charlotte asked him to slow and come back to hand, he did, amazingly quickly and obediently. Though he was a brilliant, tough-as-teak racehorse for many years, and though the call of instinct and old habit, to follow today's runners, must have been immensely strong, Denman did as he was asked and came back to a hack canter. What's more, he went into a beautiful self-carriage outline that would have graced any showring. What a triumph of re-schooling! Charlotte must have been so proud of him. A powerful, fit horse, with all his racing instincts reawakened at the scene of his former victories, could so easily have regressed, boiled over with excitement at old memories, pranced, reared, bucked, bolted...... (And a small lady like Charlotte Alexander could have had a hard time dealing with that!) But none of that bad stuff happened. It was just a perfect demonstration of how retraining a racehorse should turn out.

It was quite clear that Denman and Charlotte Alexander know and trust each other thoroughly. They were both enjoying themselves enormously, with not a hint of anxiety. Indeed Charlotte told the TV interviewer that both she and Denman would love to have a go in the race, but sadly weren't allowed to... If they had been, they would no doubt have had great fun together, as they do when out teamchasing and hunting. And that's the thing – it would be FUN. Denman has left the ranks of professional racehorses, and is now a fully retrained, and beautifully reschooled, pleasure-riding horse - re-skilled, relaxed, confident, happily occupied, and enjoying life.

Well done Charlotte Alexander, well done Denman! You are an example and encouragement for us all.

Denman and Charlotte Alexander having fun out hunting

Get an Ex-racehorse in Midwinter? Great Idea!

It's January. It's wet, windy and icy. The days are short and there aren't enough hours of daylight to get all your outdoor stuff done. A great time to make real progress with your ex-racehorse!

No, I'm not joking. It really is. All the racehorse re-training centres will agree that this time of year is really slow on the re-homing front. People are wary of taking on a new horse when the weather may limit riding, and turnout time may be restricted or unavailable. And, of course, feed costs are higher than in the summer, when grass is, hopefully, plentiful and comparatively cheap. But with a bit of imagination and lateral thinking, mid-winter can be a productive and enriching time to spend with a new horse.

In some ways, mid-winter is much the same as mid-summer. If you take on an ex-racehorse directly out of training, you will probably not be able to turn it straight out in the field anyway, whatever the time of year. If the horse has raced recently he will still be on a rocket-fuel diet that you will have to change gradually over a few weeks. He will be used to being rugged up, even in summer, and will need to have his wardrobe adjusted very gradually too. He will not be used to living out – may, indeed , not even have had any daily turnout periods at all. Turned loose in a field, he may feel lost and uncertain, or go giddily bananas and possibly injure himself tearing around. On his own, he may panic. Put with unfamiliar horses, he may fight or be picked on. Ex-racehorses – especially new ones – and problems always go together! The clever trick is to chooses and minimise the problems. Keeping a newly-aquired horse, of any type, in an environment as similar as possible to the one it has just left is usually a good idea.

The issue of limited riding time in winter, especially for people with 9 to 5 jobs, is undeniable. But it needn't become a big problem that holds you back. Lucky people with access to indoor schools or floodlit outdoor arenas can ride in the early mornings or evenings. And there's no need to worry that the lights will worry your ex-racer – racehorses are used to working in the early mornings both indoors and out with lights blazing. And some of them have raced under floodlights too - so, easy-peasy. And if you don't have lighted riding areas on-site, perhaps you could box to a facility nearby. Your ex-racehorse will be perfectly familiar with popping in and out of transport to do pieces of work and should not mind at all. Moreover, it will do him a world of good to travel to somewhere that isn't racing – to help him get the idea of his new life. Also, these little outings will really help you get to know and trust each other. The more you do together, the closer the bond.

And don't underestimate the value of in-hand work, either. If the weather has been foul for a few days and your horse has been largely stable-bound, he may indeed be a bit fresh. So do some lungeing and/or long-reining. (It may be a new experience for your ex-racer, depending on the breaking-in and training regime he had, so it could be something new and interesting to teach him, which will keep his active little brain working as well as his body.) You could also do some loose-schooling, and practice your Monty Roberts-style 'join-up' exercises. (Yes, they really do work, I've found.) And you could simply practice leading your horse about, forwards, backwards, side-to-side, small circles and large ones, getting him to understand your instructions and respect your space. And – a crucial one for many ex-racers – getting him to stand still ! Racehorses aren't called upon to do much standing around outside the stable. And they tend to be mounted at the walk, too, with the rider getting a leg-up on-the-move. Fine if you're a jockey ready to canter to the starting stalls – but otherwise, it's probably a habit you will want to end! When rotten weather or darkness prevents riding out, teaching a horse to Stand for mounting ( and that mounting blocks don't bite!) is a great use of time together, without even having to leave the yard.

And if it's too icy/hailing/ snowing to even leave the stable – just BE with your horse. Share his space. Talk to him. Tell him about yourself, and your hopes of your new life together with him. Groom him, slowly and thoroughly, enjoying the feel of him, his warmth and silkiness. He will probably be enjoying it too – stable staff in racing yards seldom have time for long, luxurious pampering sessions with their charges. But in the depths of winter, you and your ex-racehorse DO. This unhurried, non-riding time together is precious. Enjoy it!

Famous Ex-racehorses winning the Retirement Stakes!

It seems a good way to end the year by applauding some famous ex-racehorses who have done well in their retraining. As we know, racehorses that are good enough at racing to become famous 'household names' sometimes find the transition to another job more difficult than racing no-hopers do. A horse that raced a few times unsuccessfully and then left training will not have the mental attitude or physical characteristics (including injuries) that a long-serving campaigner will. The less racing a horse has done, the easier he usually finds it to adapt to a new life. So, it's especially pleasing when some of the famous, battle-hardened ex-racers we've all seen on TV in top-class races learn to adapt and mellow into 'pleasure horses' with comparative ease.

Channel Four's The Morning Line programme, much to its credit, has been running a series of picture reports on ex-racehorses, which so far has included lovely shots of both Denman and Big Buck's out hunting recently, as well as Washed Out eventing, Media Stars showing, and My Way de Solzen carrying his doting new 'mum'.

Horse and Hound magazine – always a staunch champion of retrained racehorses – published a 'Life after Racing' feature on 6^th November, showing some grand old favourites in their new roles.

Blazing Bailey, who won 12 races and £380,968, is now owned by Sarah Welford , who looked after him at Alan Kings training yard from the day he arrived there. He is now enjoying doing hunting, hunter trials and team chasing.

Barber's Shop – owned by The Queen - won 8 National Hunt races and had second at the Cheltenham Festival. He is now a successful show-horse, winning ROR classes at Royal Windsor, Hickstead, and the Royal Welsh Show. Next year, having proved he can do it at home, he'll be showing under side-saddle!

Forpadydeplasterer – a Cheltenham Festival winner who amassed total prizemoney of £471,862 - is now an unbeaten show-horse in ROR classes in Ireland. He paraded side-saddle at the Punchestown Festival this year – and that only a few months after he left training.

Monkerhostin – called 'Monkey' at home – ran 61 times and won 12 races, including the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, earning £602,030. Now 17 years old, (18 on January 1^st!) he enjoyed several seasons hunting before winding down further and now acting as a lead horse for youngsters and children's ponies.

Jack The Giant won nearly a quarter of a million pounds in National Hunt racing. He is now a successful show horse in ROR classes, and aims to do working hunter classes in the future.

Comply Or Die won the Grand National, as well as seven other NH races, to gain £798,809 in prizemoney. Now 15 years old, and still owned by the Johnson family, he is enjoying life as a dressage horse and recently qualified for the ROR championships.

Binocular won £797,648 in 13 races – mainly partnered by Champion Jockey A.P. McCoy. Retired in the spring of 2013, Binocular has been showing this summer in ROR classes, and competed at the Dublin Horse Show. (Though apparently, in true ex-racer fashion, Binocular got a bit over- excited at Dublin after the first gallop!)

Big Buck's had a phenomenal career as a hurdler – he was 'simply the best' and won - well, everything, really, until his last race in March 2014, when it was clear that age and effort had caught up with him. Having won £1,309,055, he had certainly earned a quieter life, and his doting owner and trainer retired him immediately. He is now enjoying life hunting in Dorset with Lucy Tucker. It's amazing, and a testament to the horse's ex-trainer and handlers, and his present 'new mum', that this renowned stress-head of a horse, who used to box-walk for Britain and only retired in the spring, has so quickly adapted to 'civilian life' and is now described by Lucy as 'very easy and straightforward.' Horse and Hound did a wonderful piece on Big Buck's and his retraining on 2^nd November. It's heartwarming, and inspiring, to read.

Big Buck's takes to the hunting field - Horse & Hound

Best wishes to all ex-racehorse, and their humans – here's to a happy and successful 2015!

Kauto Star's Christmas Party Piece - Oops!

When I heard Kauto Star was to give a dressage display at the International Horse Show at Olympia, I was preparing to do a cosy-Christmas post along the lines of “How lovely to see Kauto enjoying his new life as a retrained racehorse” - etc. But, oh deary-dear, it all went spoggly, didn't it?

Kauto gave a grizzly-grumpy, reluctant display, and then his embarrassed pilot, Laura Collet – apparently unsure how to deal with the situation both during and after – compounded the mess-up by giving some very ill-judged comments to the media.

“Ex-racehorse fluffs big outing” is not exactly headline news. As all ex-racer people know, it happens all the time, almost routinely. But this was the legendary Kauto Star, over whom half the horsey world has protective owner-like instincts. And so, a real brew-ha-has erupted on the social media. Was Kauto Star suffering 'stage fright' – or had he been sedated for the occasion? Was he nervous, or physically uncomfortable? Is he making a slow but steady transformation from racehorse to riding horse, or is he being asked to do something he can't, or shouldn't? Is he being treated with his due respect? Or is he being used 'for publicity purposes? ( And if so – what's wrong with that?) Is he loved and cherished enough? Should he have been placed with Laura Collett at all, or with someone else, doing something entirely different?

By the following evening, Retraining of Racehorses had felt it necessary to issue a statement trying to explain and calm the situation, and national newspapers and TV had run with the story. Poor Laura Collet probably wishes heartily she had not agreed to go to this particular Christmas Party. ( Well, we've all had moments like that!)

But, oh, come on! Kauto Star is fine. Hundreds of ex-racehorses are neglected, abused, put down or turned into dog-meat every year, through lack of knowledgeable people willing to take them on and give them a chance. So, please, don't feel sorry for Kauto Star. He has the best of care, with money-no-object, a caring and responsible owner, a sensitive and talented rider, and a legion of devoted fans to watch over his welfare and progress. His lifestyle will evolve, as it does for any horse, but he'll be ok, whatever he does.

Embarrassing as the episode was – and probably remains – for Kauto's connections (and most ex-racehorse owners know the feeling oh-so-well! ) it has some good lessons to offer.

• Taking your ex-racehorse to an outing, big or small, ( even long after they've left racing) is like watching your child in the school Nativity Play; he could be adorable, and make you flush with pride – or he could do something totally inappropriate ( if hilarious to everyone else) that makes you curl up and cringe. That's the way it is, folks. Get over it.

• Ex-racehorses are like intelligent 5-year-old children ( with whom they have a lot in common!) They are irrationally sensitive, easily get bored, are frightened by silly little things, and can become unco-operative for no discernible reason. Thinking ahead can avoid some of this. Being ready to adapt quickly also helps. Worrying about it rarely does.

• Retraining a racehorse is a bit like getting married – it's a life-long work-in-progress, trying to 'change' your spouse and get rid of all their now-unacceptable habits. But of course, it only ever works up to a point. Habits can be changed, to some extent, with time and (long-suffering) patience. But basic character will always stay the same. You can't expect miracles! (And if you got one, you wouldn't be left with the horse/man/woman you first fell in love with!)

• These days many people have successful serial careers, and so do horses. But expecting serial stellar careers might be asking a bit much. Few people, or horses, can be world-beaters at more than one thing. The characteristics and skills that made Kauto Star such a brilliant racehorse may not be easily transferable to another discipline, so no-one should be expecting him to get an Olympic Gold in dressage. Conversely, a 'failed' racehorse – perhaps too slow, too laid-back – may be just the right type to excel at dressage, or long-distance rides, or whatever. Retraining a racehorse is a journey of discovery, to find what he enjoys and can become good at. Keeping expectations modest, at least to begin with, avoids disappointment and may lead to very pleasing surprises.

• Learn to laugh at yourself, and your horse. It helps – and looks a lot better in public than getting cross. After all, everyone else will be laughing – you might as well join in and enjoy it.

(Count once decked me in the middle of the show-ring, snorting and bucking after a mare. It was at a Riding for the Disabled show – and none of those riders fell off. I felt a total idiot. The name of the class? - “Ideal Partners” Ha-Ha! Funnily enough, we didn't win...)

ROR and World Horse Welfare team up - and a great Job Opportunity!

There's news that Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) and World Horse Welfare are launching a joint pilot scheme to help vulnerable former racehorses. WHW will soon be offering assessment, re-training and home-finding, specifically for ex-racers, from its Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk.

WHW helps all kinds of horses, but it is no stranger to the world of racing, being an independent adviser to the British Horseracing Authority ( as well as to the International Equestrian Federation.) The aim of the new project – which will be fully funded by ROR – is to utilize the long-established rehoming expertise of WHW, and it's national networks, to help retrain ex-racehorses and then find them suitable new homes.

WHW Chief Executive, Roly Ower, says:

“ Racehorses are generally extremely well cared-for, but after they leave racing they can be as susceptible as any other horse to the vagaries of the market or uncertain futures if they cannot find good homes. World Horse Welfare is adept at helping vulnerable horses make the transition to new environments, so it was natural to want to apply this expertise to help former racehorses. We can provide them with the retraining they need , and find them new homes – but as World Horse Welfare will retain ownership of the horses (as we do with all our horses) they will have a safe and secure future with us. We see this as an excellent way to expand the offering of our rehoming scheme - rehome a Thoroughbred to ride and some companion Shetlands at the same time. It is also a demonstration of our support for the responsible use of horses in sport – and we really hope it is a success.”

So, this new project will operate much the same as those offered by the existing main Thoroughbred rehoming centres (apart from the offer of Shetlands as part of the package!) But with over 3000 racehorses leaving training every year in the UK alone, every bit of ethical and well-organised rehoming help must be welcome.

If this pilot project is successful ( which it will be!) it is to be extended across the UK through WHW's other four Rescue and Rehoming Centres, so as to harness all their locally-based rehoming expertise.

ROR's Chief Executive, Di Arbuthnot, explains:

“ What ROR was lacking was an even geographical spread of locations equipped and resourced to deal with former racehorses, and we hope this pilot scheme will in time open the door for ROR to work with all of World Horse Welfare's Rescue and Rehoming Centres.

We are delighted to be working with World Horse Welfare and to be able to use their extensive experience and expertise. The goals of both charities are the same in terms of wanting to ensure that those animals which provide so much pleasure on the racecourse are suitably catered for when their racing career is over.”

It all sounds good to me.

And for anyone who loves ex-racehorses and is looking for a dream job with them – this could be it!

WHW is advertising for a 'Specialst Riding Groom' to join the new project. It's a full-time post, based at the Norfolk Centre, and initially for 12 months ( though is likely to become permanent if all goes well.) Obviously, WHW is looking for someone who has extensive experience of working with TB's, and a real understanding of ex-racers and their 'issues'. The ideal applicant will also be a good and confident rider, and skilled at schooling both on the ground and under saddle.

More details can be found on the WHW website : www.worldhorsewelfare.org

Applicants need to send a CV and covering letter to:

Gillian Larter, Human Resources Officer, Anne Colvin House, Snetterton. Norfolk, NR16 2LR

or email: info@worldhorsewelfare.org ( Must be Word, PDF or RTF format)

Closing date for applications : 7^th December 2014