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Thoroughbred Horses & Ex-Racehorses

Giving ex racehorses a brighter future. 

Thoroughbreds & Ex-Racehorses

The Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) is committed to welfare of all equines but cares for many Thoroughbred horses in particular. Some Thoroughbred horses come through other welfare organisations that do not have the facilities to rehabilitate them. Other cases come through external agencies including Gardai and Department of Agriculture.
Thoroughbred horses are a high maintenance horse and usually require more specialist care than some native breeds. Thoroughbreds that come into care as youngsters are not trained for riding until they are at least 4 years old and even then the process followed is slow and steady.

Retired Racehorses are often given over to the IHWT when they have finished racing and the charity re-trains these for equestrian sport and leisure riding. In this way they can be re-homed to experienced new homes and live a useful happy life where they are well cared for.

IHWT – RETRAINING & RE-HOMING RACEHORSES

The Thoroughbred horse is intelligent and versatile and ex-racehorses can be re trained for many other disiplines including Dressage, eventing, hacking, showjumping, Polo.

 

It takes a minimum of 6-9 months to re-train and re-school an ex-racehorse and this time can increase depending on the individual. 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. They are however not suitable for novice riders and need a lot of care and attention.

Ex-racehorses should be assessed during the first few weeks for any behavioral or other problems. They should be visited by the dentist and chiropractor. The horses have to adjust to a new diet and routine (especially those coming straight out of racing). Individual diets need to be formulated. Only when all of the above is done can the re-schooling begin.

Re-training starts with weeks of long reining and then some lunging before a rider is introduced.  Once ridden work commences horses are worked with 3 or 4 times weekly in a combination of short flatwork sessions and hacks out – in company first and then hacking alone.  Although some ex racehorses find this very stressful.

The Horse should get lots of daily handling and grooming and daily turnout in preparation for a new career living in a new home.

Many ex-racehorses that have come through the IHWT have gone on to have successful careers in showjumping and as leisure and riding club horses.

Racehorse News & Resources

July 25, 2021July 25, 2021
IHWT Partnership with Galway Races to raise funds

The IHWT is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Galway Races for the 2021 Season to help raise...

10
By IHWTIn Events, Racehorse News & Resources
Read More
December 18, 2019December 18, 2019
Ex-Racehorse heads off to a new home for Christmas

Ex-Racehorse “Anto” went off to his new home just in time for Christmas! The lovely grey gelding came into the...

30
By IHWTIn Racehorse News & Resources, Uncategorized
Read More
September 2, 2019September 2, 2019
Success at Aintree for Irish Riders and their Re-trained Racehorses

Having qualified at the Tattersalls Final of the Elite Show Class Series 2019, Aileen Dwyer with The Amarillo Kid and...

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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
Read More
August 19, 2019December 18, 2019
Tattersalls Show Series Winners to Travel to Aintree to Compete

Tattersalls Elite Show Series Champion and Reserve will travel to Aintree later this week to compete at the RoR National...

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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
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May 29, 2019June 17, 2019
RETRAINED RACEHORSES SHOW SERIES 2019

The 2019 Show Series qualifiers get underway this coming weekend 4th June at Mullingar Show.  The Elite Show Class for...

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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
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April 30, 2019April 30, 2019
DESTINATION STREET is highest placed ex-racehorse in Stepping Stones league
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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
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June 11, 2018June 11, 2018
Winners of first of the Tattersalls Retrained Racehorse Show Series qualifiers

The first qualifier for the Tattersalls Retrained Racehorse Show Series and the Working Hunter Series took place at Mullingar International...

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By IHWTIn Racehorse News & Resources
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April 24, 2018June 11, 2018
TATTERSALLS TO SPONSOR RETIRED RACHEHORSE SHOW SERIES 2018

Tattersalls will once again sponsor the Show Series for Retired Racehorses organised by the IHWT Thoroughbred Club. Show dates have...

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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
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May 15, 2017May 17, 2017
RETIRED RACEHORSE SHOW SERIES 2017 – DATES

The IHWT Thoroughbred Club is pleased to announce dates of qualifiers for the Retired Racehorse Show Series 2017 kindly sponsored...

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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources, Uncategorized
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Retired Racehorse Class at Tattersalls
June 8, 2016June 17, 2016
Retired Racehorse Class at Tattersalls
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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
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Show Series for Retired Racehorses
May 3, 2016December 14, 2016
Show Series for Retired Racehorses
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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
Read More
Eastern Region Dressage introduce a class for ex-racehorses
April 13, 2016June 18, 2016
Eastern Region Dressage introduce a class for ex-racehorses
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By IHWTIn News, Racehorse News & Resources
Read More
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Registered Charity Number 20048235, Registered Company Number 343407, CHY 14634
IHWT Equine Centre, Ballinamona, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Co Wicklow, Y14 D283, Ireland
Tel: 00 353 402 30773 Email: info@ihwt.ie
Directors: Margaret McMullin, Claire Owens, Michael Doyle, Mary Fanning McCormack.
Patron: Jessica Harrington
Charity Registration number 20048235. Registered Address: Ballinamona, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Co Wicklow
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