A lovely choice of 3 different Christmas cards from The Racehorse Sanctuary, the 2011 card "On the way home" is by artist Lionel Edwards.
All proceeds are in aid of The Racehorse Sanctuary.
About The Racehorse Sanctuary
There are between 4000 and 5000 horses leaving the racing industry annually, the majority of which are quite straight forward and make the transition to becoming a riding horse with ease, however, it is the horses that find it difficult that need the facility that the Racehorse Sanctuary offers. So many of these super horses could have a happy and in most cases productive lives ahead of them if they were given the time and expertise needed. It has to be said that if any horse entering this system is a danger to any member of the public or itself then it will remain at the sanctuary ongoing, alternatively if the problem can be resolved it will then be found a suitable home on a permanent loan basis. However if the horse is in any form of distress that cannot be remedied by our veterinary surgeon or team then it will be humanely destroyed. A huge amount of horses leaving the industry are now catered for by the existing centres, The Racehorse Sanctuary is here to cater for those that we are told have no future under the current system.
When a trainer, owner or head of a syndicate finds themselves in a position where they are no longer able to keep a horse for varying reasons, the most common being either: the horse isn't going to win races hence the stable is needed for one that is more likely to, the horse has been retired due to some form of injury or it is proving to expensive for some members hence the syndicate has to be resolved, this is the time the sanctuary steps in and provides a lifeline for the unfortunate animal. Another common situation is where an unsuspecting member of the public has purchased a good looking horse from one of the sales rings only to find when returning home that the animal is completely unmanageable and dangerous, they don't want to sell it on though fear of the same thing happening over again and yet they are stuck with a horse that they are frightened to go near and as for getting on its back this would be out of the question.
When a new arrival turns up at the sanctuary the first thing that will happen is that he will be thoroughly examined by the equine veterinary surgeon and between the vet, Graham and Sue a course of treatment will be decided upon in order to return the horse to good health if this is an issue. Having completed his period in isolation during which his diet will have gradually be changed and his general attitude will have been assessed he will then,subject to soundness, be put into light work starting with lunging following on to being ridden. Those horses with very long-term injuries will be given the treatment and time needed to make a full recovery and should the horse still be unsuitable for ridden work at the end of this then a suitable home as a companion will be sought. Those who do have a future as riding horses will also be found suitable homes as either hacks or if capable competition horses. When it is decided that a horse has completed its recuperation/re-schooling process selected people who are looking for a particular type of horse are invited to come to the sanctuary to be assessed as to their suitability. If it is decided that this is the right person for a horse then a very stringent home inspection is then carried out and subject to passing this then the horse is placed on permanent loan to the applicant.
After care from the sanctuary then continues by way of unannounced welfare visits and advising on any problems that may occur. Should the keepers situation change in any respect causing problems with the standard of care being offered to the horse then it will be immediately reclaimed and returned to the sanctuary. Many problems encountered by ex-racehorses are not necessarily due to health but to physiological reasons and these cannot be cured overnight, they take time, patience and expertise. Equally, having done the groundwork and found the route of the problem and in most cases cured it all of this work can so easily be undone in the wrong hands which is why The Racehorse Sanctuary are so meticulous in choosing which member of the public to take on one of the sanctuary horses.
The Racehorse Sanctuary is completely self funded and relies purely on the generosity of those people who believe that these wonderful creatures more than deserve a chance to live out their lives in comfort. In order that the sanctuary can carry out its work and maintain the policies and standards that it set out with it has been decided to say no to any form of governing body that may mean compromise on these issues. Of course the additional funding would ease the financial pressure a great deal particularly in the early years but at what cost. This is why you can be confident that every penny given to this cause goes either directly or indirectly to the horses involved the support is there.
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