Horse & Hound – 08 August 2019

8 August 2019 Horse & Hound

21

Radicaltreatment

— how much is too

much?

NEXT

WEEK

“The aim with ex-racehorses is
to develop suppleness and create
symmetry through the back,
hindquarters and shoulders,” says
Susie. “We talked about working
him long and low.”
Arnie starts a steady
build-up of hacking and
groundwork, combined
with turnout.

OCTOBER 2018

ARNIE is on a high-fi bre,
low-protein feeding plan,
devised by Spillers nutritionist
Vanessa Allen: three daily meals
of slow-release energy cubes and
an oil-based supplement.
“As his work increased, his
diet was gradually changed to
conditioning fi bre, conditioning
cubes and a balancer,” says
Justine. “He also has ad-lib
haylage and hay.”
Schooling is introduced slowly.
“Arnie wasn’t used to working
in small circles on the bridle,”
Justine explains. “We began
long-reining and basic exercises,
such as walk-trot transitions,
fi gures of eight and leg-yield.
“He is an incredibly

intelligenthorseand,likemost

thoroughbreds,veryresponsive.

Tokeephisbrainfocused,we

supplementedhackingand

turnoutwithexercisesover

trottingpoles.Heisn’tatall

fizzywhilehacking,aloneorin

company,sowemadegooduseof

hillstobuildmusclestrength.”

NOVEMBER 2018

ONCEArniehasadjustedtohis

newlifestyleandspentaround

10 weekshacking,Susanna

re-examineshiswayofgoing

andreviewsprogressinbuilding

conditionandfitnessprior

tocommencinga schooling

programmeforhisrehabilitation

asa showhorse.

“IwatchedArniewalkand

trotin-handandperformed

flexiontestsonalllimbs,”shesays.

“Thesewereunremarkable,and

consideringhisformidableracing

career,reallyquitegood.

“Next,I examinedhimonthe

lunge,withoutanyaids,soI could

seehimmovingunimpeded.This

wasfollowedbymywatchinghim

workedwhenriddeninnormal

tackwitha littleguidance.

“Arniehasa ‘racehorse’

wayofgoing,andit wasdecided

tocontinueschoolingand

improvemusculardevelopment

aroundArnie’stoplineandpelvis,”

addsSusanna.

“Susie Grady was then

able to assist this process with

physiotherapy, addressing any

minor issues and advising

on benefi cial stretches and

exercises to complement the

schooling regime.”

JANUARY 2019

ARNIE’S muscle development

improves with controlled

exercise and physio. As his fi tness

increases, his physique and

self-carriagedevelop.

“We’vealwaysridden

himina simplesnaffle bridle

witha cavessonnoseband,”

saysJustine.“Hehasa huge

canterstride,sotheprocessof

establishingthegroundworkto

enablehimtocanteraroundan

arenawaslong.Ex-racehorses

tendtofindit difficulttositon

theirhocks,solotsoftransitions

andcanterworkoutinthe

fieldshelped.”

TheteamtakesArnieto

a showingclinictofamiliarise

himwiththearenaenvironme t

andtheideaofstandingstill—

a bigaskfora formerracehors

FEBRUARY 2019

AFTERsomeunaffiliated

dressageoutings,Arniewins

athisfirstunaffiliatednovice

show.Laterinspring,he

notchesupa noviceRoRwin

atKeysoe,andanin-hand

victoryatRoyalWindsor.

JUNE 2019

ARNIEstealstheshowat

Horseheath,within-hand

andriddenwinsongrass.

Futureplansinclude

Right:Arniestartscompeting

Above,left:Justineand the vet

Susanna Ballinger assess Arnie.

Above, right: Susanna gives him

a thorough check. Right: physio

Susie Grady evaluates Arnie

taking part in RoR retrained

racehorse classes, SEIB racehorse

to riding horse classes and British

Show Horse Association riding

horse classes, with some jumping

during the winter.

“He has always had an

elevated and free-moving step

across all paces, so a large part

of his retraining has been about

channelling and controlling that

power and movement for the

ride judge,” says Rebecca. “It’s so

rewarding to see him happy and

settled in his new routine.” H&H

“IT’Salwaysa pleasuretohearofa former racehorse realising his

potential in another sphere,” says Dr Jeremy Mantell MRCVS, welfare

consultant to British Racing’s charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

“Currently, there are more than 6,500 horses registered with

RoR, all engaged in one activity or another, whether it be showing,

dressage, eventing or simply giving enjoyment as a riding horse.

“It is our role to protect the welfare of former racehorses

throughout their post-racing career. To that end, RoR has a

nationwide network providing advice and education for owners and

riders. Each year, RoR stages camps, clinics and club nights to help

people get the best out of their former racehorses.

“By providing education, followed by opportunities for the horses

to compete, we are reducing the potential for former racehorses to

find themselves unwanted. And in the event of such a scenario, RoR

is also there to take care of the horse and find him a suitable new

home.” l ror.org.uk

‘FINDING FOREVER HOMES’