Every year, thousands of horses leave racing for a variety of reasons, including retirement and injury. The lucky ones go to centres such as Sussex based Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre, dedicated to the rehabilitation and re-training of racehorses.
Horse lovers everywhere would have enjoyed an immensely inspiring and enjoyable day held at Moorcroft in September. The centre rehabilitates up to 35 racehorses and all the Friends of Moorcroft enjoyed a wonderful morning with a tour of the yard and facilities, an opportunity to see some of the horses who were ready to move on to pastures new from the stable, and to admire displays given by a graduate of the centre.
To see these beautiful spirited horses parading in the sand school before an enraptured crowd lifted my spirits. Every visitor I spoke to was full of admiration for the way in which the girls handled their charges and was in awe of the work being done at the centre in an atmosphere which had the right amount of calm, kindness and firmness.
There was an auction (with mornings on the gallops of Nick Gifford, and John Dunlop, plus a morning behind the scenes with Channel 4) and a raffle, plus the opportunity to purchase a variety of cards, prints of the horses and the fabulous cookbook, Turf to Trough. (More on the cookbook later.)
The horses, too, looked as though they enjoyed the day. We heard during the morning that they had all become very excited when the ice-cream van arrived, and the electrician began checking that the microphone was working in preparation for the proceedings.
All in all, it was one of the loveliest days out I've had in a long time, and I'm already looking forward to going for another visit.
More about Moorcroft
Horses who arrive at Moorcroft are gifted over to the centre. Most come straight from racing yards with a veterinary report and an assessment for the horse's suitability for retaining. On arrival, the horse is assessed again and then work begins on his or her re-training and re-schooling. Some horses are handed over to new keepers as companions, while others move on to second careers in dressage, eventing, show-jumping, or happy hackers.
Anyone interested in taking on a horse visits Moorcroft, so that the centre can assess their requirements and riding suitability. Of course, Moorcroft inspect the premises where a horse is to be located, and regularly after the horse has arrived at his or her new home. Every horse is always on loan from Moorcroft, but that said, the centre is not a sanctuary for racehorses, and there is only one long term resident, Star Rage, who won 28 races in his time.
How you can help
Moorcroft needs help from the public in a number of ways, such as:
- donations of auction items and raffle prizes
- sponsorship of an event, equipment, a project, or a stable
- fundraising, for example, attending events such as that at Plumpton Racecourse on 22 October, or donating items such as tack, rugs and boots;
- financial donations
- hands-on-horse help, such as mucking out, yard duties, gardening, maintenance, office work, printing and lithographics
- become a Friend of Moorcroft and receive regular updates on how the horses are getting on;
- re-home a horse, either for riding or as a companion.
Christmas is coming...
If you're looking for a great Christmas present for a horse lover who also loves cooking, Moorcroft has the PERFECT gift for them. They've put together the "Turf to Trough Cookbook" with recipes from well known personalities in the horse racing world - owners, trainers, jockeys, journalists and more. Now, get off your horse, and order that book! (£10.00 plus £2.00 p and p)
Plus purchase the Christmas card "Star of Wonder," featuring Star Rage obtainable from MRWC, Huntingrove Stud, Slinfold, W. Sussex RH13 0RB Tel: 01403 791916 The cost is £7.00 per ten including p & p.
For more information, visit http://www.mrwc.org.uk/
This feature first appeared on Animal Human Wellbeing (www.animalhumanwellbeing.com)
