Charities to help retired race horses

Animal Aid

The links which are at the top of this page make for very sombre reading.  You can access the links from Animal Aid's website, and share them.  Animal Aid say that this will help expose the industry with facts and data, so that people better understand the tragic loss of horses in racing.  It also gives you the chance to spread the word about the work Animal Aid is doing to campaign for animal freedom.  

One way to help stop horse racing is to not bet yourself, Since 2007, Animal Aid say that over 3,000 horses have been killed and that doesn't include those whose deaths went unreported.  Horses can be beaten, all for human entertainment. 

• Find out about actions you can take about horse racing and Animal Aid's campaign here.
• Animal Aid have an 8 page report , The Case Against Horse Racing, to read.  Why not share the link to it?
• You can order free resources to help spread the word about horse racing 
• You can pledge never to attend a horse racing meeting,  and to support Animal Aid's campaign to ban it.
• Please also see their Greyhound Racing campaign
  
  

Race horse charities helping retired race horses 

Retired race horses all need somewhere to go after their careers in racing, however successful they've been...  They deserve good homes and the best of care, & there are charities to help them make the career move from racing to their next step.  But the charities listed after these bullets help.

Retraining of Racehorses have a long term vision is for all former racehorses to enjoy a good life and to safeguard the wellbeing of all former racehorses.

Moorcrocft Equine Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre) in West Sussex re-schools and rehabilitates former racehorses so that they can have a chance at a second career.  They also help with short-term schooling and rehabilitation for all horses.

Greatwood in Wiltshire  uses former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is dedicated "to improving and promoting the welfare of retired racehorses through education, rehabilitation, retraining and suitable rehoming in order to ensure that our Thoroughbreds have a rewarding and valuable life after their racing careers have ended.  Their horses included Hallo Dandy  In 2026, they celebrate their 35th anniversary.  

The Racehorse Sanctuary, in West Sussex, is dedicated to giving retired racehorses a safe haven and a second chance of a new life after racing. 

Heros retrains and rehomes ex-racehorses. Based in Oxfordshire, it is dedicating to ensuring racehorses have a future after their racing days are over. Heroes retrains these former athletes, preparing them for their next careers and pastures new. The charity carefully matches horses to new careers and owners.  Past heroes include Monsignor. It also provides a range of education and training including for young people - find out more here.

New Beginnings retrain and re-home former racehorses.  They are based in East Yorkshire.  They want to provide a safe and secure environment where former racehorses can adjust and be re-trained for their second career following racing.  It's an envrionment where people help horses - and horses help people.  Find out more here.  

Next career steps for race horses 

Race horses may have a number of second careers open to them:

• as companion animals, especially for those whose injuries prevent them from being very active
• "happy hackers" with people who simply want to enjoy riding around the countryside 
• show jumpers or riding club horses
• even horses for junior riders
• polo, showing, cross country, eventing

Much depends on the temperatment of the horse & the injuries he or she sustains, if any, as a result of their racing career to date. Opportunities also depend on whether there are the places available with the charities working to help retrain & rehome race horses.

How you can help

• Have a look around the various websites (we've listed race horse charities to the left) & see what sort of help they need.
• You don't need to be a horse expert to lend a hoof.
• For instance, you could treat a horse lover to a gift from a charity's online shop, or sponsor a horse if they have such a scheme.
• You could do fund-raising for them, tell a friend about them, or collect & sell stamps for them
• You could find a spot as a volunteer, perhaps doing office work or helping with the grounds - or get more hands on with the horses. You could become a member of the charity if they run a membership scheme.
• If you want to re-home a race horse, look at the charities' websites and see what their process is, whether it is right for you, and what you need to do to get started.
• Take a look at Animal Aid's horse racing campaigns, spread the word and do what you can to support them.

There's a lot we can all do to make a difference to race horses. They've raced their hearts out for people, so it's good to give something back in return.