By Leanne O'Sullivan
THE recent death of former Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has put the re-training of racehorses in the news.
According to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), 8,500 horses returned to training in Ireland in 2014, as much as 50% of this number can be out of training at any given time (flat horses in winter, for example) and it is reasonable to assume that at least 1,500 per annum must leave the system permanently but what are the options for racehorses when they are retired?
Some owners are in the fortunate position of having their own land and facilities, so that they can give their racehorses a quiet retirement. But what if that is not an option?
The Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) is Ireland's leading equine welfare charity and runs the only industry-supported ex-racehorse re-training for re-homing programme. The charity’s co-founder Sharon Power spoke to us about the programme’s success.
The programme was established in 2001 and was based on similar programmes in the UK which worked well. The IHWT is involved in the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of all kinds of horses and ponies but often took in an ex-racehorse and these proved very difficult to re-home without training.
The programme is part-funded by Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association (IRTA).
Michael Grassick chief executive of the IRTA commented that: “The IRTA are fully supportive of all IHWT endeavours especially the racehorse re-training and re-homing programme; we provide a yearly contribution to the trust.
“I think the re-training programme is a wonderful opportunity for retired racehorses to continue to have a purpose and a career and for people to continue to get enjoyment from them after their racing career.”
Racehorse trainers can contact the IHWT if they feel they have a horse that would be suitable for the programme. All ex-racehorses are assessed by the IHWT during the first few weeks for any behavioural or physical problems; they are also visited by an equine dentist and chiropractor. After this assessment period, if the horse is deemed suitable, it is signed over to the charity. The programme is over-capacity and Sharon reports that there is a waiting list.
It takes a minimum of six to nine months to re-train and re-school an ex-racehorse and this time can increase depending on the individual. The process of re-training involves a stage of readjustment, IHWT horses get lots of daily handling and grooming and daily turnout in preparation for a new career living in a new home.
This is followed by weeks of long-reining before any under-saddle work begins. Once under-saddle the horses have weekly sessions of flatwork and are also hacked out in preparation for life in a private home.
Racehorses come out of a highly stressful career and it takes time for them to settle into a new type of work. Most horses adapt happily given the chance and can go on to do other disciplines such as hacking, dressage or show jumping. However, they are not suitable for novice riders and need a lot of care and attention.
Many ex-racehorses that have come through the IHWT have gone on to have successful careers in show jumping and as leisure and riding club horses. Over 200 ex-racehorses have been re-homed by the IHWT.
The charity re-homes all of its horses under a loan-home agreement. There is an initial application form sent out with questions about experience, facilities and references. A home check is carried out when a suitable applicant and horse are matched to ensure the facilities are adequate and only then will the racehorse be loaned out.
“The overall experience of taking one on can be hugely rewarding,” says Sharon.
Although Sharon is grateful for the support the IHWT receives from the racing industry the charity is also dependent upon fundraising and donations. Sharon says: “It takes anything from a few months to over a year to re-train an ex-racehorse and a real commitment of time is required. But the ex-racehorse can be a wonderful partner for most equestrian activities and often excel beyond expectations.”
The IHWT offers support and advice to anyone experiencing a problem with an ex-racehorse.
Cheltenham hero Moscow Flyer spent seven years with the IHWT as an ambassador before moving to the Irish National Stud. Jane Mysercough, the IHWT chairperson, said: “Moscow Flyer became an integral part of our team, making many public appearances over the years, championing our call for improved equine welfare in Ireland.”
Sharon Power is a co-founder of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Ballinamona, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Tel: 0402 30773
Web: ihwt.ie