Equine Welfare & Life After Racing

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Whilst our racegoers revel in cheering on the superstars as they thunder around the track, there’s so much more to a racehorse’s life than meets the eye. That’s why we’ve put together an informative ‘get to know’ guide to give you a peek behind the scenes.

Racing Life

Life After Racing

Racing Life

Stables

Racecourses are exceptionally well-cared for throughout their careers in the racing industry. Their home life can be compared to a five-star accommodation. These majestic athletes enjoy top-notch stables that are cleaned meticulously every day, ensuring they stay happy and healthy – keeping away growth of bacteria or viruses!

Training

Their training schedules are as strict as those of human athletes, keeping them in peak physical condition. And when it comes to food, racehorses dine on gourmet meals packed with vitamins, minerals, starch, and protein, all scientifically designed to give them the best nutrition possible.

Health

Just like us, racehorses can get regular check-ups to make sure they’re fit and healthy. They’ll take regular visits to to expert vets and equine dentists, and they receive vaccinations to keep them safe from illnesses like equine influenza. But it’s not all work and no play! Racehorses enjoy a balanced life and enjoy having their downtime every day where they can relax both indoors and outdoors.

Dedicated Team

The bond between racehorses and their caretakers is truly special. These dedicated staff members know their horses inside out, spotting any unusual behaviour that might indicate an injury or ailment. They check on them daily, ensuring they’re always in tip-top shape.

In short, racehorses lead a balance and pampered life, surrounded by love and care every step of the way.

Extra Information

The information on this page was gathered from the ROR website. To find out more about the lives of racehorses, head over their website at https://www.ror.org.uk/care-and-training/life-of-a-racehorse

To find out what the industry are doing to support racing welfare, head over to https://horsepwr.co.uk/

LIFE AFTER RACING

Popular Pathways

The charity of Retraining of Racehorses (ROR), set up by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is dedicated to ensuring racehorses have happy and fulfilling lives after their racing careers.

Every year, around 7,000 horses leave British racing. Some retire to stud for breeding, some race abroad, and some go point-to-pointing. But the biggest group (over 40%) are retrained for new equine disciplines or fun activities. ROR make sure these horses enjoy their retirement and has a nationwide network ready to care for them whenever needed.

ROR’s wonderful work is supported by famous sports personalities like Clare Balding OBE and Sir Anthony McCoy, who are proud patrons of the charity.

Studs

Many top racehorses with award-winning careers become studs, where they’re carefully managed by professional to help raise the next generations of champions. ROR works hard to keep a good balance between horses entering and leaving the racing world.

Other Pathways

For those horses that don’t become studs, there are plenty of other exciting paths to follows. They can take part in sports like Polo, Dressage, and Eventing, which are less demanding than professional racing. ROR keeps a close watch on these retired racehorses to ensure their well-being is always a top priority.

For more information of the work of the ROR, head over to their website at https://www.ror.org.uk/