Most ex-racehorses have much to offer in other fields and, after a period of rehabilitation, each horse is given time to show its potential and natural aptitude and retrained accordingly. The horse may have been subject to serious neglect before finding a home at Greatwood and therefore will need a substantial amount of care and attention. We therefore need to be sure the horse finds a caring, knowledgeable permanent loan home where its particular needs will be catered for and great care is taken to team the right horse with the right person. For this reason, horses are only loaned to a carer aged 18 or over.
Please be aware that this process can take some time and it may not be possible to match carer to horse straight away. Some horses need more training than others and at any one time there may only be a limited number ready for re-homing. You should also be aware that there is likely to be more than one applicant interested in the same horse.
Our selection process is as follow:
1. Prospective carers are asked to complete an application form providing the information we need to assess their ability to care for one of our horses.
2. The application is assessed by our equine management staff and, if deemed suitable, the applicant will be invited to visit. A donation is requested at this stage.*
3. At the first visit, the applicant will be shown the horses we think will make a suitable match.
4. If all goes well, a second visit, or as many visits as needed, will be arranged to ride the chosen horse and spend some time getting to know each other. A donation is requested at this stage.*
5. If both parties are still happy to proceed, a home check will be conducted at the applicant's facilities and references will be taken up.
6. On receipt of satisfactory references and inspection reports the applicant will be asked to sign a legal contract, and asked to make a donation to cover our rehabilitation costs. The amount of £500 is suggested as a minimum donation. All carers are required to become a Friend of Greatwood for the duration of the loan.
7. Finally, the applicant will be invited to make arrangements to transport the horse, at their own cost, to its new home.
Greatwood, or an agent of Greatwood, will periodically conduct home visits to check on the welfare of the horse. These visits may not always be by appointment. In the event of an unsatisfactory inspection, and where the horse is deemed to be unhappily situated, Greatwood will re-possess the horse.
Greatwood retains ownership of the horse throughout the period of the loan. It is our intention that the horse remains with its new owner for the rest of its natural life, but we do understand that circumstances change. If the carer becomes unable to care adequately for the horse, they are advised to contact Greatwood immediately to discuss the situation. We will work with the carer to resolve any problems, but as a last resort, and to ensure the welfare of the horse, it may be returned to the care of Greatwood.
NB: In cases where neglect is suspected, the matter will be reported to the appropriate authority to take the necessary action.
* In order to assist with our running costs, we respectfully request a donation of £20 per visit, and £25 per visit to ride.