Happy home for retired racehorses

Carrie Humble with 1984 Grand National winner Hallo Dandy

Carrie Humble was first past the winning post when she set up a home for thoroughbred ex-racehorses in 1991.

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, at Halton near Lancaster, is dedicated to the welfare, rehabilitation and re-homing of racehorses.

Horses that come to the centre can have injuries and behavioural issues, but the hope is that they can be found a happy new home.

Recycling racehorses isn't easy, but it's a rewarding job.

Carrie spent much of 1991 working with her friend's father preparing his thoroughbred stock for sales. As a direct result of going to these bloodstock sales Carrie saw first hand the reality of what the horses face when their racing days are over - thoroughbreds that are either at the end of their career, or those that never made it, can end up in the wrong hands, neglected and abused.

Famous resident

So Carrie conceived the idea of the TRC. By 1993 Carrie had been granted charitable status for the TRC and was awarded the MBE in the summer of 2003 for services to racehorse welfare.

The TRC is based at Whinney Hill where the horses get to put their hooves up in 230 acres. There's an indoor and outdoor school, horse walking area and a veterinary treatment barn, which is in the final stages of completion.

Desert Orchid used to spend his summer holidays at the TRC

It's not cheap to run. The centre costs nearly £1500 per day and they rely mainly on the generosity of the horse-loving public to continue. The recession has obviously led to a reduction in donations and the amount available from charitable trusts, so much so that they can currently only afford to keep 25 horses, instead of the usual 31.

The horses have had a hard working life, and tendon and leg problems are common, as are back and pelvis injuries, so they get their own physiotherapist! She works closely with the vet on damaged or sore muscle groups enabling the horse to heal and work more effectively.

Perhaps the most famous resident was Grand National winner Hallo Dandy. "Dan" came to the Centre in fairly poor shape, but made a quick recovery and was used as the centre hack. Dan spent 12 happy horsey years at the centre and attended the Grand National parade regularly until his death in 2007 at the grand age of 33.

Active

So what is it like to ride a Grand National winner? "Apparently he was generally good to ride although very strong! He was full of character and a very independent spirit!" says Fundraising Development Manager Tracey Lyons.

Shiatsu - or finger pressure massage - practitioner Sue Smith

Tracey is one of thirteen staff who work at the Centre, six of them directly responsible for riding and training the horses.

It's important to keep the horses active as Tracey explains: "All horses taken into the TRC have to be re-homed as ridden horses. The type of work they do depends on any existing injuries or conditions. Most make good hacks and are able to compete in local dressage or riding club activities."

So how hard is it to re-home a racehorse? "How long is a piece of string! They are all so different and it very much depends on finding the right loaner for the horse. This can be a very quick process or lengthy depending on the specific needs of the horse."

Even when a suitable home is found, the horses remain the property of the TRC and they are only loaned to their new owners. The loan homes are monitored for the rest of the horse's life.

It's a successful formula, to date well over 200 horses have found a new home. Tracey says the team are suitably proud of what they do: "There's nothing like seeing horses successfully re-homed and enjoying life in their new loan home."

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The TRC is always looking for volunteers to help at various events across the country, throughout the year. They also offer support to anyone wanting to organise their own fundraising events. People with equine experience are needed as voluntary field officers, to visit re-homed horses in their new homes.

The centre also hosts yard visits throughout the year, allowing visitors to gain an insight into work at the centre. They are also planning a two day schooling clinic on 6 and 7 May 2010. This will give the opportunity to take your own ex-racehorse to the centre, where you can learn about flatwork and jumping, or get help with any problems you might have with your horse. Visit the website for full details.