Things To Consider With A Race Horse Rescue

Taking on a retired race horse can mean becoming very acquainted with a horse veterinarian and injuries that can take a long time to heal, sometimes as much as six months or more of daily care and walking.

There are often injuries, especially with geldings, that while not life threatening are career ending, especially when it involves the legs. This is often something that takes a great deal of time to heal. It may involve a bone in the foot such as a sesamoid injury or a tendon injury.

This beautiful boy is Slews Enough and he is available for adoption, along with many other wonderful thoroughbreds, at ReRun, Inc.

Following veterinarian orders exactly is key towards a successful recovery. Minor injuries may just take some time hand-walking the horse while other injuries can involve learning to properly wrap the leg and apply medicines to the injury.

Additionally, be sure to ask if the horse has been on medications on the track. Follow advice if withdrawal times are needed. Ask about a history of colic – some horses that are nervous can be prone to bouts of colic, especially triggered by life changes. Retirement can be such a life change.

Consider that mentally everything in this horse’s life changes with retirement. He has perhaps become used to being groomed and working on the race track for a mile or so before most people are out of bed. He is cooled out, gets his hearty breakfast and settles in for a snooze. From the most basic of care this changes when he’s brought to your home. Sometimes a horse that has already been “let down” may be a better selection, especially if this is your first horse.

Most thoroughbreds have been very used to veterinarians and although some simply accept this as part of the day others can be very difficult to handle when the veterinarian arrives. This is especially true if it’s a horse that has had health issues requiring a lot of care, much like a person who finally reaches a point of saying “no more doctors!”

Because of the requirements of many tracks these horses will normally be up to date on vaccinations including the Coggins test for equine infectious anemia, which is required in many states. They are familiar with being handled regularly for shoeing, although sometimes the feet are trimmed and shod differently than saddle horses.  This can mean an adjustment for the horse as the foot grows out. A reliable farrier is needed to get the feet at a natural, correct angle.

The race horse, by the nature of his work, uses a great deal of energy so can also consume a great deal of feed. To avoid metabolic upset the horse’s feed should be adjusted to suit the slower pace of retirement. This will also drop the energy level of the horse.

Among the problems that can occur is colic, founder and excessive weight gain. All three of these may even be ‘related.’ Some race horses may have ulcers, which can be helped simply by adding a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the feed. If the horse doesn’t clean up the feed on a regular basis, this may be the reason.

So be prepared for the possibility of physical ailments that can come with taking on an equine athlete and the adjustment in routine and activity level and you will have taken the  first important steps in rehabilitating a racehorse.

When God created the horse, he said to the magnificent creature: I have made thee as no other. All the treasures of the earth shall lie between thy eyes. Thou shalt cast thy enemies between thy hooves, but thou shalt carry my friends upon thy back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. And thou fly without any wings, and conquer without any sword. ~ The Koran