Retiring horses from the track - how to go about it

Just thought I'd like to introduce you to an idea get some feedback from racehorse owners on the following:

"We have bought 42 hectares in Mooi River. You can see photos on our website under Promised Land. Towards the beginning of this year we worked out rough costs for to charge for livery/retirement. It’s unbelievable the cost when taking into consideration good grooms, the cost of food, hay, sawdust, maintenance of buildings and fencing, rates and taxes etc. You can read about it on the following link www.retreat2eden.co.za/retirement_centres.htm - you will find a link at the bottom of the page that gives a cost and gives a breakdown of what to expect from the cost. It is pretty much in line with the other costs in the area for the time we worked it out.


We would obviously need to distinguish between rescued horses and those that owners actually stable with us. Also if a person is paying monthly into a fund as in the race horse industry to be able to retire his horse I am not sure how to go from there. Our idea was basically to retire as in have them be at livery with us, the proceeds going to eMthunzini. However I guess it does become complicated if they are donating into a fund and the project is being funded which we never really thought of much before now.



I think right now we are open for suggestions. As a couple, my husband and I are committed to help where we can to ease the suffering of the race horses and make a difference. We always wanted to be involved in horse rescue but this is a little different to that and requires a lot more thought to get the racing industry trusting us and coming on board. Obviously we are not able to take all the race horses on retirement and pay for them ourselves.

As far as the horses we rehome – we were thinking of getting the horses in to a programme where we can retrain them for the home that they will be going to. The owner would pay for livery and retraining but when we do sell the horse to the new home (if we are able to rehome them for a sum), the owner will get the money for the horse which will encourage them to make use of our services and we are able to play a role in finding the horse the best home possible. It takes the responsibility off the owner’s hands to find a home for the horse which may reduce the amount of horses landing up at abattoirs or just being dumped somewhere or sold for bush racing. I think we need to be open minded and consider the owners requirements as well. In other words if the owner wants to lease his horse, sell it or give it away, we will assist wherever necessary – as long as we are able to assist in seeing the horse has a good ending and we can try to the best of our ability to know where that horse is until the day it dies."

This couple is in Mooi River and would like to offer either permanent retirement board for a horse once its racing career is over, or to retrain and properly rehome the horse. The retraining is the hardest part, as many want-to-be horse owners are lured to the fact that they can get a cheap horse off the track, yet don't have the skills to retrain them for their new career.

Would owners be interested in paying for their horse to live out their days? Or subsidise their retraining until they can be homed?

Please give me comments

Thanks for the post, will be sending out a few emails in addition to the ABC posters/viewers

Thanks Scotia - keen to help this couple get the project off the ground, as it seems like a great idea, one that USA and UK have long implemented

Hi Dave, from our expierience unless a horse is very large, moves well (which to some trainers just means sound) and has an easy temperment for showing or jumping the best place for them is The Horse Care Unit. There are a few reputable dealers around the country but also lots of shysters who dont care for the horse or dont pass on sale proceeds etc. At the unit if a horse is not suitable to be rehomed at a suitable home it is euthanazed there so no more worries. I do know of an Endurance Stud that is looking for fillies to use as surrogate moms for embryo transfer. They are very well cared for as the foal will not grow if host mom is not in good condition.

All the best for Xmas and 2010....

Kind regards Mark and Dorrie Sham

This would be an alternate to the horse care unit. There are indeed people out there that will take a companion horse that cannot be ridden
There are also breeders looking for certain bloodlines to breed sport horses.
Less and less mares are making it into the breeding shed for racing, as black type and pedigree becomes more important due to an overflow of mares.
These mares may have a second chance as a sport horse broodmare.

What about Bostic or Pritt Factory.

Does that really happen off to the glue factory?

The glue factory is a nice phrase for Abbatoir - which happens more often than most think.
Herman Brown's top horse - the name escape's me - was rescued from the abbatoir before now retiring peacefully on his own farm

Some horses being dealt straight off the track - we can prob look up horse's names and therefore owners and trainers with the info given

6YO 16.1hh gelding by WESTERN WINTER / DAHAR (Lyphard) Very good tempered laid back horse. Ideal to school as all rounder!! R12000 *Take Wing*

KIND EYED & SWEET - Quiet HUNTER TYPE gelding - 5 Year Old, 16hh+, Liver Chestnut, horse that is easy and very nice under saddle. Loves company of other horses, does not bite and kick. Breeding: Albarahin / French Stress R8000 *Mandlenkosi*

Lovely horse with HUGE potential as a competitive all rounder. No vices. 5YO, 15.3 Dark bay gelding Breeding: Saumarez / Fine Edge R6000,

Easy and sweet, good specimen for showing! 5 Year Old 15.2hh Bay Gelding Breeding: Caesor / Fine Edge R12000 *Brutus??*

HUGE Chestnut Mare 3YO 16.1hh and still growing! Breeding: Trigger Finger (Lyphard) / Hard up Very easy going nice ride. very willing. R10 000 *Irish Whistle*

Nice willing ride, good movement! 15.3hh 5YO Chestnut gelding Breeding: Dominion Royale / Pole Position (Sharpo) R8500 *King Lu or Sentimental Value*

Lovley Mover- Super Jump. Easy – straight forward. 5 Year Old Bay Gelding 15.3 / 16hh By Modern Day-Nationnal Assembly. R15000 *Double Crossed*

BIG BONED – warm blood look!! Very nice under saddle, would be an ideal all rounder. 4 Year Old 16.1hh Chesnut Gelding By Martinelli-Northen Guest *Gomeson or Martin Malone*

Keep up the good work Suga,in an ideal world money should be set a side for a horses retraining/homing from its original sale and monthly keep,might deter some..

Thanks Hibs