Keeping It All In The Family

Team Thoroughbred NSW’s retraining facilities ensure that industry participants have an avenue to rehome their horses if their rehoming efforts have not been successful when they decide to retire their horses or not commence racing them. 

One such horse purchased recently purchased from Team Thoroughbred was retired Thoroughbred All Up Tee Kay (Billy).

Lisa Radford purchased ‘Billy’ from Team Thoroughbred NSW but within a week she had ‘lost’ the promising equestrian horse to her daughter!

“The intention was that I’d prepare him for my 12-year-old daughter Taylah, who would take over the reins in a year or two,” said Taylah’s mum.

“A week after he arrived, she asked for a ride on him and hasn’t got off him since – I lost my horse after just a week!”

Taylah’s mum has embraced this budding friendship and is impressed with the pair’s progress.

Despite being new to each other, they have been learning side-by-side showcasing Billy’s patience and adaptability.

“He has been doing amazing things and is such a wonderful and patient horse in his education,” Taylah’s mum said. “Taylah and Billy are learning together in many ways.”

Billy is transitioning into a new career off the track and is showing promise across multiple disciplines.

This marks the start of a budding equestrian career for the pair.

“He’s been to dressage and show-jumping lessons and is looking to head out XC schooling over the break in preparation for his first eventing start in March,” said Taylah’s mum.

Billy has also proven to be an exceptional all-rounder, earning praise from Taylah’s family for his adaptability.

“He is a terrific horse to take out trail riding and truly one we can all jump on for a ride.”

Heat Stress: How to Recognise & Respond

By Dr Claire Moore

What is heat stress?

Heat stress is a life-threatening emergency affecting horses training in hot conditions and can be extremely dangerous for handlers. Therefore, it is important that we can recognise this condition as early as possible, and treat affected horses promptly.

Signs of heat stress include:

  • Rapid or heavy breathing
  • Sweat dripping from skin (indicates ineffective cooling)
  • Distant, ‘glassy’ look in eyes
  • Slow recovery from exercise (high heart and respiratory rates)
  • Depression, disorientation, and incoordination
  • Agitation, irritability
  • Kicking out with hindlimbs
  • Pawing
  • Unwilling to move then lunging forwards
  • Falling over
  • Colliding with objects

How can heat stress be managed?

It is crucially important that all horses displaying any, even mild, signs of heat stress, be quickly cooled to reduce body temperature as fast as possible. Call for immediate veterinary assistance if you have any concerns that your horse may be affected by heat stress.

  • If cold hosing is possible, begin this immediately (the colder, the better – iced water is ideal)
  • If a hose is not available, repeatedly apply buckets of iced water
  • Concentrate on cooling the large muscle groups and major blood vessels of the head and neck
  • Scrape water off between rounds of cold water application
  • Offer small amounts of cool water to the horse to drink
  • Apply a cooling collar to the horse’s neck if available
  • Closely monitor the horse for 45-60 minutes after training for signs of ‘rebound hyperthermia’
  • Ask a veterinarian to check your heat-stressed horse prior to transportation
  • Do not apply wet towels to any part of the horse (this has insulating effects and limits cooling)