Transitioning a racehorse into a new career can be a rewarding experience, but it often comes with physical challenges. Racehorses are trained for high intensity, repetitive movements that can lead to specific musculoskeletal issues. Understanding the most common injuries these horses face – and how to help them recover is essential for providing a healthy, comfortable, and purposeful second life.
One of the most frequent injuries in racehorses is damage to the superficial digital flexor tendon or suspensory ligament. These injuries may present as swelling, heat, lameness, or in more serious cases as a “bowed” appearance in the leg.
Sacroiliac (SI) joint issues are most common in ex-racehorses due to repetitive strain, leading to symptoms like a “hunter’s bump” (prominent tuber sacrales), hindquarter lameness, poor performance, gait changes e.g. hind limb stiffness, muscle atrophy and behavioral issues like kicking or bucking.
This condition, where the vertebrae are too close together and may touch or “kiss,” is more commonly diagnosed now thanks to improved imaging. It can lead to back pain, behavioral issues, and poor performance.
Racehorses are often kept with low heels and long toes for speed, but this can lead to issues like under-run heels, thin soles, and chronic bruising once they retire.
The stress of racing, combined with limited forage and high-concentrate diets, makes ulcers extremely common in ex-racehorses. Symptoms include poor appetite, irritability, weight loss, and girthiness.
Beyond physical issues, some ex-racehorses struggle with anxiety, confusion, or fear in new environments. They may not understand turnout, grooming routines or how to be easily handled. The transition period required from full stable care to larger paddocks needs to be considered as the spatial perception of the horse will need to adjust over time as the horse lets down and starts to adapt to a new routine and environment.
In South Africa, where our horses face a variety of environmental challenges and infectious diseases, vaccinations are important for safeguarding equine health and ensuring the welfare of individual horses and entire herds. Understanding vaccines and vaccination protocols are important to be able to make the most informed decisions for your horses health. Although most vaccine
In the equine world, passion may be the spark – but proper training is the fuel that ensures sustainable success, safety, and animal welfare. Whether you’re an aspiring groom, rider, trainer, farrier, or equine therapist, investing in your education and skills not only enhances your career but also has a direct impact on the well-being
Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals in a horse’s body, playing a critical role in hundreds of physiological processes. Yet, it’s often overlooked in equine nutrition. From muscle function and nerve transmission to mood regulation and metabolic health, magnesium is the quiet workhorse of equine wellness. Magnesium can make a significant difference in
Every horse is unique—from its conformation and gait to its personality and quirks. But one physical trait that often sparks curiosity among horse owners is the whorl—those spiral patterns found in a horse’s coat, usually on the face and body. Known as “cowlicks” in other animals (and humans), these hair whorls have fascinated horsemen and
The nervous system is the control center of your horse’s body—governing movement, coordination, behavior, sensory perception, and even emotional well-being. A healthy nervous system is essential for a calm, responsive horse capable of learning, adapting, and performing. Unfortunately, nervous system imbalances or stress are often overlooked until they manifest as behavioral or physical issues. 1.
Training built on fear may produce short-term obedience, but it comes at a significant long-term cost—for both the horse and the rider. While fear-based methods may seem effective in forcing quick compliance, they undermine trust, damage confidence, and lead to lasting emotional and physical consequences. A training approach rooted in fear breaks down the very
