When the Race is Over: Tips to Retiring Your Racehorse
A Thoroughbred cannot be a racehorse forever. There will come a time when you need to retire it. Injuries or its current state of health can signal that it's time for your racehorse winner to take a bow from the limelight and lead the quiet life of retirement. Unfortunately, some racehorse owners have given the industry a bad name as they put their former derby winners in less than ideal homes or worse, slaughterhouses.
If you are human enough to care for your horse the way it ought to be cared for even after its racing days are over, then it is your responsibility to retire your horse in a legal, ethical, humane and loving way.
When your horse has suffered an injury or is showing signs of slowing, it's time to get it to a veterinarian for a full physical. Once your vet recommends that retirement is in the near future, then it's time to start reducing the frequency of its races. If you intend to keep the horse yourself for whatever purpose after its racing career is over, you are going to have to tolerate a period of readjustment where your equine is going to be difficult to manage. This can be a very trying time as the horse tries to adjust to a more sedentary life.
If your Thoroughbred has a good record at the track, it's generally a good idea to let it breed so it can continue siring future winners. If you're not into breeding, you can get your horse into a breeding facility who will know exactly what to do and how to care for it. However, if you don't want this option for your equine but don't want to keep it yourself, there are a number of programs and charities who are willing to rehabilitate or find it a new and loving home for you.
After the accolades your racehorse has given you on the track, it becomes your ethical responsibility to make sure it settles comfortably into retirement. Find it a home. When the races are over and you can't care for your equine yourself, this is its only request of you.
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