Former Racehorses Given a Helping Hand in Finding Life After the Track

Potential Mounted Police Trainees

Retraining at Canterbury Racecourse (image: ©Furdography)

Dressage Day Out – A retraining stage

An innovative program that pegs former Thoroughbred racehorses and prison inmates together, with the intent to retrain and rehome the horses is gaining momentum and fast building a reputation.

The NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust (NSW TRT) is a not for profit charity that assists in the safe rehabilitation and rehoming of former NSW thoroughbred racehorses at the conclusion of their career, and does this through supporting the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program. The program which is a joint venture between Racing NSW and Corrective Services NSW fosters this rehabilitation of racehorses at its core, but at the same time provides inmates at the St Heliers Correctional Centre at Muswellbrook with the opportunity to learn new skills which will allow for prospective employment in the Thoroughbred industry.

This two pronged charter is what sets the NSW TRT and the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program apart from other rehabilitation schemes.

Former mounted policeman Scott Brodie, Racing NSW’s Thoroughbred Retraining Manager, believes the holistic approach taken by the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program achieves real results by focusing on the welfare of the animal rather than merely pushing through numbers.

Mr Brodie was initially approached by the now defunct AJC to train Thoroughbreds as mounted security, but as the training proved a success, the AJC sought to retrain and re home the horses on a permanent basis.

After consulting with Racing NSW, the NSW TRT was born.

Since its inception in May 2011, the NSW TRT has successfully re-homed via the Rehabilitation Program, many horses to various occupations including mounted security, professional competitions and pleasure. Click here to see some of our rehomed horses.

Horses who have graduated through the program are available for sale to suitable homes and are listed on Horsezone. Horses currently available include:

 

TRT Backgammon

TRT Rufus

If the horses currently available don't suit your needs, visit the TRT Facebook page to see horses undergoing the retraining program and register your interest.

Quick Links

• For more information, visit www.nswtrt.org.au or contact us on nswtrt@racingnsw.com.au