Welcome to Greatwood.
'The Finishing Line is Only The Beginning'
UK Registered Charity No. 1117322
Gilbert's Girl before |
Gilbert's Girl Hunter Trial |
Greatwood are currently looking for an experienced Rider Groom to join their team, full or part time considered.
Please call 01672 514535 for further details.
Greatwood is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of racehorses particularly those that have fallen on hard times.
Established in Devon 13 years ago as a registered charity our aim is to provide the racehorses that enter the Charity with safe secure and rewarding futures.
Millions of racegoers are swept away by the excitement during a race, but does anyone think about the 'also ran' whose career is coming to a close and whose future may be uncertain?
What happens when the last race is run?
A very large number of racehorses leave the racing industry every year and sadly a significant number of these horses fall on hard times through lack of care, understanding, experience, attention and love.
We are their safety net
We are a safety net for these horses that have fallen on hard times after their racing days are over. It is our role to take in as many as we can, to restore their morale and to retrain them for happy and useful lives in other disciplines.
The Horse remains the property of the Charity for life
The horses that enter the Charity are rehomed on a foster-loan basis and are monitored regularly in their new home for life.
The future for rehomed racehorses
We have one horse who has gone on to win many prizes show-jumping, and another won a gold cup at dressage however whether or not their future career is a success all horses are well kept, well loved and cherished. We make sure they continue to be so for the rest of their lives.
Sanctuary
Inevitably, there are occasional situations where it is inappropriate to re-home a horse, and for those horses we run a small sanctuary.
Funding
It is increasingly difficult to raise funds to help these horses who to the public may appear to the public 'elite and cared for' but can be found to be suffering as acute a hardship as any neglected fell pony.
Rehabilitating ex-racehorses is expensive (and can cost in excess of £5000 per annum per horse), but the horse could be priceless to the person who cares for it in the end. The Horseracing Industry has taken significant steps in recent years to help us, as one of the three centres accredited by the British Horseracing Board, to minimise the problem cases amongst racehorses leaving Racing and gives us considerable financial support but this is barely a quarter of the costs of our overheads.
 Deano's arrives at Greatwood . . . . . . . . see our News page |
How you can help
Becoming a Friend of Greatwood of Greatwood
Adopting a Sanctuary Horse
Donating tack and equipment to us
Or veterinary supplies
Offering a kind, knowledgeable home
You can complete the forms on-line, or you can download them, print hem off and post them to us at the address below.
Give whatever you can afford. If you care about horses and want to do something to help, then please lend us a hand. We need every penny of your help...
Accredited by The British Horseracing Board, Members of The National Equine Welfare Council, I.L.P.H. Approved, Registered Charity No: 1117322
Greatwood Caring For Retired Racehorses,
Rainscombe Hill Farm, Clench Common, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 4DT U.K.
Telephone: 01672 514535 | Fax: 01672 514408 | E-mail:info@racehorsesgreatwood.org
UK Registered Charity No 1117322
Patrons: Nigel Bunter, Nicky Henderson, The Hon. Harry Herbert, John & Jenny McCririck, Brian Stewart-Brown, Peter Walwyn.
Trustees: Alison Cocks, Elizabeth Frearson, Jeremy Hummerstone, Richard Powell, Lady Whent, Michael & Helen Yeadon.
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