New VocationsRacehorse Adoption Program

By Dot Morgan


It’s hard to imagine that a horse must be taught to eat and drink and interact with other horses. But that is precisely what must be done to insure a healthy, safe transition from a pampered track existence to the realities of biting insects and group living.

Racehorses have been confined to a stall 24/7 for much of their life. The water bucket is often held to their thirsty lips; their hay hangs from the wall at eye level. Flies are minimized as stalls are meticulously picked out several times a day. Fans circulate the humid summer air and the barn protects from the pesky mosquitoes at night.

These “hot house orchids” do not instantly adapt to being an ordinary horse. Careful steps must be taken in the introduction to basic life skills. Simply putting the newly retired racehorse in a paddock with ample food, water, shelter, and friends can result in dangerous consequences.

The new arrival is often afraid of the water tank and won’t leave the barn to graze because of the flies. At feeding time the other horses run him from the grain and hay. Mistakenly, we think the horse is free and happy while the horse feels tortured and abandoned. During the adjustment period turnout needs to be interspersed with comfort time in the stall. Don’t assume, make sure the horse knows how to drink from the tank, automatic watering trough, or creek. When feeding in a group situation monitor the grain consumption and provide extra piles of quality hay to accommodate the ever present shuffling.

Segregating mares and geldings eliminates much emotional turmoil and lessens separation anxiety. With one to three horses this may not be preferable, but in larger groups it’s best. Geldings that have been on anabolic steroids often exhibit stallion like behavior for several months following the end of medication. These can be self-destructive when turned out if not carefully managed. They will often walk the fence incessantly, frantically calling to other horses. This results in weight loss and aggravates injuries. As the hormones wear off the horse may be turned out with geldings, but contact with mares should be avoided for at least three months.

Introducing A New Horse To The Herd

New Vocations deals with the socialization of new arrivals on a daily basis. Horses that are accustomed to living in a stall and having no physical contact with another horse are suddenly touching each other between the bars and eventually turned out together. This socialization must be handled with care in order to avoid injuries and stress related complications.

A new horse entering a resident herd will be chased and bullied by even the meekest of the group. If the newcomer lacks confidence, is very young, or geriatric it is at grave risk of injury, malnutrition, or dehydration due to the competition from the herd.

The first step to minimize conflict and facilitate acceptance is to turn the new horse out with an individual pulled from the group. Let these two bond for a few days before introducing them into the herd as a pair. When just a few horses are involved, it’s even better if the new horse and its buddy bond in the main field while the other horses are moved to a different paddock. When the final merger takes place the residence horses are moving into the new arrival’s turf. This gives the newcomer added confidence and bolster’s his image.