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Retired racehorses & greyhounds need help
 
One industry in the UK that sees animals in need of second careers is that of the racing industry.   Retired greyhounds & retired racehorses all need somewhere to go after their careers, however successful they've been... so here's an introduction to ways in which you can get involved in organisations which help both retired greyhounds & retired racehorses
 
Retired racehorses
 
Racehorses may find theselves with a number of second careers open to them:
  • as companion animals, especially for those whose injuries prevent them from being very active
  • "happy hackers" with people who simply want to enjoy riding around the countryside and don't have any ambitions to compete or similar
  • show jumpers or riding club horses
  • even horses for junior riders
  • polo, showing, cross country, eventing
No doubt, much depends on the temperatment of the horse & the injuries he or she sustains, if any,  as a result of their racing career to date.   Like any of us, some horses are better suited to one career than another.
 
Retraining of Racehorses is the charity in the UK dedicated to the welfare of racehorses who have retired from racing.  Their ultimate goal is to achieve a balance between the number of horses leaving racing and the number of suitable, enthusiastic new homes.
 
Moorcrocft Racehorse Welfare Centre  in Sussex helps racehorses who were no longer suitable for the job of racing.  There are about 28 horses at the Centre, all being prepared for the next stage in their lives, be they happy hackers, dressage horses or simply companion animals.  There are a number of ways in which you can help
 
Greatwood in Wiltshire has a number of ways in which you can help, which include (among many) offering a home to a retired racehorse.  One page you may find of interest is their Horse Power page, with info about its life skills and emotional literacy programme for children, including those with Autism, ADHD, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, complex learning difficulties & Down's syndrome. Greatwood is an amazing place:  it helps racehorses who've been ill-treated and neglected, and it educates and inpsires children with special needs
 
The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is dedicated to the welfare, rehabilitation & rehoming of thoroughbreds.  These include Hallo Dandy, a past Grand National winner.  There are some absolutely stunning photos of truly beautiful thoroughbreds on their website, so take a look at their gallery and then give your support by buying some merchandise.
 
Heros retrains and rehomes ex-racehorses.  Based in Oxfordshire, it is dedicating to ensuring racehorses have a future after their racing days are over.  Heroes retrains these former athletes, preparing them for their next careers and pastures new.  Monsignoris their hero who appears on the Heros logo.  Heros works closely with the Bransby Home of Rest for Horses, where a number of Heros live out their days.  Find out how you can help Heros and their glorious heroes here
 
The Racehorse Sanctuary, in West Sussex, offering help to racehorses who through injury have no future as a riding horse, including Moorcroft Boy
 
Racehorse Rehoming is based in Somerset, and honestly, reading through their Case Histories brought tears to my eyes.  Such beautiful horses, so full of intelligence, and power, and wonder and splendour - just read a couple of Case Histories.  Can you help their empty printer cartridge appeal?
 
 
Meantime,in the US... & check out Old Friends, a Kentucky facility for retired thorougbreds, theASPCA grants $1 million to retired racehorses (March 2010), & visitRacehorse Retirement in Pennsylvania
Retired greyhounds
 
The Celia Cross Greyhound Trust rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes abandoned, sick or ill-treated greyhounds and lurchers in their kennels near Guildford in Surrey. You can find out more about their events here and their dogs here
 
The Retired Greyhound Trust works tirelessly to help re-home retired greyhounds around the country.  It says that about 10,000 greyhounds retire every year, most of about 3 or 4 years of age. Many however also retire at a younger age, due to injury.  Greyhounds are fairly low maintenance pets;  for many, 20 minutes' walk a couple of times a day is just about their limit before collapsing on the sofa for a cuddle.
 
The Retired Greyhound Trust has over 70 branches around the UK, all needing help - and you can also shop on line to help their cause
 
 
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