Disclosure – This is a paid collaboration for National Racehorse Week
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National Racehorse Week
It’s National Racehorse Week from 10th – 18th September 2022, with many yards and aftercare centres open to the public. You can visit the nationalracehorseweek.uk website here to find your closest open day. There are 150 open days across the UK and 8 of those are in Scotland. You will need to book tickets for the open days via the website, only a certain number of people are able to visit at a time.
Nick Alexander Racing
We visited Nick Alexander Racing’s Kinneston Yard in Fife prior to their open day on the 17th September, find out more about the horses there and get a tour around ourselves.
How Are Racehorses Treated?
Many people still think that racehorses are badly treated and not cared for. But they couldn’t be further from the truth! Horse welfare is extremely important and we could see at Kinneston how well looked after the horses were.
Horse Welfare
Each horse had their own individual trainer who was the one to usually ride and care for them. This means that the horse’s individual personality can be catered for. Whether the horse needs certain type of food to build up or slim down, certain vitamins or even likes to be ticked in a certain place! Each horse is different and are treated differently according to their needs. One horse was stressed around lots of others in the stables, so he had a stable built further away from the other horses to be alone. Other horses hated being in a stable alone and preferred company, so they are given larger stables with a friend. It’s so nice that they are given what they need, rather than what would be easiest for the yard.
In the hot weather the horses are all cooled down with water, which they clearly enjoy too! Although we also told that the horses go through the water bath after every ride, even in winter. This cools down their muscles so they don’t hurt themselves after a run.
It’s clear to us that those that work in the stable love the horses and enjoy being around and caring for them. It’s usually the horse’s trainer who knows them best that takes them down to events too. That way the horse is comfortable and knows they are in safe hands.
Tour Around A Racehorse Yard – What To Expect
On the open days you are given a tour around the yard. We started off saying hello to some friendly racehorses. Learning their names and giving a few a friendly scratch. Then it was time to watch the horses get tacked up and taken out for exercises and up onto the gallops. We learnt about the different type of ground cover, from ripped up carpets to protect their hooves, to the grass and sand elsewhere. Watched the horses running and racing around the gallops.
We were shown one horse that had a problem with their back getting extra training to help resolve the problem. Another horse was in season and so a decision was made to take her away from the others before the horses got distracted and potentially hurt. After the horse were finished their exercise they were walked through the water bath to cool muscles and back to their stables for a rest.
Working Horses
We were told that a lot of horses were currently a bit on the larger side. This is because they are just back from their 6 week summer holiday, resting in a nearby field. It’s great to hear that they get time off from their work too! These are working horses though, so they have special feeds to keep them in good condition depending on what amount of exercise they are getting. It’s also noted when a horse has had a more challenging day, so they can have a rest or go for a hack instead the next.
We also had a quick look in the vans used to transport the horses. It’s nice to see how well looked after they are in there too. Plenty of ventilation and air conditioning to keep them cool when needed. Then after the children were shown the hoods in the tack room they then got a chance to make up some feeds for the horses. The kids and I had an enjoyable morning and said goodbye to a few horses before we left. I think Gary might have been the favourite as he was very friendly sticking his tongue out and trying to get close to littlest to say hello!
Other Days Out In Scotland
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