Our Care

'The Finishing Line is Only The Beginning'

Retired horses need specialist care

We have discovered over the years that horses out of training need the specialist care we are able to offer. Unless this care is received initially these horses may quickly become unmanageable, and end up in a state of neglect to be sold cheaply at auction. Thus beginning the downward spiral endangering their health and well-being. Sadly this is the route that has been followed by many of the horses before arriving at Greatwood.

We allow them to enjoy an active life

The implementation of recognised and professional methods in the mental and physical treatment of the ex-racehorse enables them to enjoy an active life in a new discipline for many years. Horses that leave Greatwood are only ever sent out on loan, and are monitored twice yearly. If the standards expected are not upheld, the horse is returned to us.

We find them a new and caring home

Knowledgeable and attentive care to detail has ensure that wherever possible, the horses that come to Greatwood having undergone a stressful time, may after a period of perhaps up to 18 months, be found a suitable, new and caring home. Some horses may fret, and are often dispirited and depressed, and by resting them, and letting them 'be horses again' we can usually build up their spirits and confidence.

Our continuing work

At Greatwood, we have rescued injured, sick and neglected ex-racehorses for some years. This has been funded privately. On realising that continued private funding was not going to be possible, we have continued by achieving charitable status. This was due to our expertise in dealing with thoroughbreds, particularly ex-racehorses. All of our work was started by helping one or two ex-racehorses per year for the first few years. We now have many more ex-racehorses at Greatwood and we are regularly inspected and approved by the International League for the Protection of Horses and have achieved glowing reports. On the strength of our work with ex-raceshorses we have been invited to become members of The National Equine Welfare Council. We are members of the Retired Racehorse Welfare Working Group, meeting quarterly at the offices of The British Horseracing Board in London. We have also received our charity number from the Charity Commissioners.

Greatwood survives only by donations from caring individuals or organisations, right across the world. You can help us too. Please give us whatever you can afford . If you care about horses and want to do something to stop their suffering, then please lend us a hand. We need every penny of your help...

£10
beds up 2 horses for 2 days, keeping them warm and dry... 		£15
feeds 2 horses for 2 days, making them well fed and happier...		 £15
buys wormer, for 3 months, keeping a horse healthy...		 £60
buys a set of shoes; full recovery is just around the corner...		 £1,000
will make you a star, adding to our capital fund and the horses’ future security...

Greatwood Caring for Retired Racehorses,
Rainscombe Hill Farm, Clench Common, MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire. SN8 4DT UK.
Telephone: 01672 514535 | Fax: 01672 514408 | E-mail:info@racehorsesgreatwood.org
UK Registered Charity No 1117322

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