{"id":110646,"date":"2024-02-28T09:28:17","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T08:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antares-sellier.com\/?p=110646"},"modified":"2024-11-28T15:21:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T14:21:19","slug":"a-new-life-for-an-ex-racehorse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antares-sellier.com\/en\/2024\/02\/28\/a-new-life-for-an-ex-racehorse\/","title":{"rendered":"A new life for an ex-racehorse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In this blog post, we’re going to take an in-depth look at the process to successfully retrain<\/strong> an ex-racehorse<\/strong>, from daily requirements after time on the racecourse to their new lives. An ex-racehorse is a finely-tuned athlete<\/strong> from the racing industry. Whether they come from harness or flat racing, ex-racehorses start very young<\/strong> and often have an intense training regime to be the best. That means the horse comes with significant baggage<\/strong>. Once they retire from racing<\/strong>, they commonly start a new chapter in their lives. They are taken in by specialist facilities<\/strong> or associations that retrain them to help them find new homes. Horse welfare<\/strong> is the FNCH’s – F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Nationale des Courses Hippiques<\/a><\/strong> uppermost concern. That’s why they have introduced a process called Race and Care<\/strong> to campaign for equine welfare in the equestrian sector. We asked our <\/strong>Antar\u00e8s rider, Jean-Bernard Eyquem<\/strong> <\/a>for some tips to ensure ex-racehorses stay healthy and happy:<\/p>\n\n\n That said, they do have to learn the rules of being a ‘saddle horse’<\/strong>. As such, retraining them is long<\/strong> and packed with information to take in<\/strong>. Yet, if the rider is patient, well-prepared <\/strong>and has a can-do attitude<\/strong>, ex-racehorses can surprise you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like all horses, in general, keep a close eye on their health<\/strong>. Even so, ex-racehorses need special attention<\/strong> when retraining them<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some points to check<\/strong> to keep your ex-racehorse in good shape<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a racehorse is prematurely retired<\/strong> from racing, for whatever reason, its overall health<\/strong> needs to be checked.<\/strong> The choice of personalised<\/strong> diets depends on the physical transformation<\/strong> to come. When they train, racehorses are used to eating huge amounts of calorie-rich<\/strong> foods. Once a horse starts a retraining programme, it doesn’t have the same requirements. That’s why you must readjust its diet. Every horse takes time to get used to its new surroundings<\/strong>, spending time in the paddock day and night for those horses that can do this. See all our riding tips<\/strong> in our blog post<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help your ex-racehorse<\/strong> regain confidence<\/strong> and balance<\/strong> in a new riding discipline, we advise owners to use horse tack that is suited to their horse’s body shape<\/strong> and the type of work<\/strong> they will do. We advise using a saddle that is perfectly suited<\/strong> to your needs and those of your horse.
Get an exclusive snapshot <\/strong>of our ambassador, Julie Gaudelheid, and her ex-racehorse, Feu Francis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is an ex-racehorse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Speed, courage, determination and obedience<\/strong> are the main qualities sought in racehorses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few examples of associations<\/strong> that specialise in retraining racehorses :<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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In 2023, FNCH held 76 day-long events dedicated to this groundbreaking programme<\/strong>. FNCH’s goal is to encourage those in the equestrian industry to uphold their commitment to the welfare of racehorses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\u00ab To successfully retrain a racehorse, you first need to take time to see when it is happy.
Based on the answers the horse gives you, patience is the watchword for its entire retraining programme.
Of course, all horses have a right to a happy life but ex-racehorses deserve it a bit more ! \u00bb<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nKeeping an ex-racehorse healthy and happy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Physical and mental state<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Its condition depends on its past history and the physical exertion when it was racing. Regular veterinary care <\/strong>and the right exercise programme<\/strong> are key to sustaining its physical and mental health.
Emotions<\/strong> and behaviour<\/strong> are equally important in an ex-racehorse retraining programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA balanced and suitable diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If, for example racehorses are fed oats, this can be replaced with fibre to loosen up the horse and make a smooth and steady change to its diet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA healthy environment in which it can thrive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You have to let your horse adjust and get used to its new life. That’s why we advise you to take it gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe right horse tack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here is a range of Antar\u00e8s products<\/a> to keep your horse relaxed and flexible<\/strong> in complete comfort<\/strong> when working out :<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Tailormade saddle :<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Both horse and rider deserve<\/strong> the right saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n