At Stable to Stirrup we provide support for Standardbred horses as they come off the track and are retired from racing. Our program sees the horses transition to new homes and owners when they are ready.

We also provide education on the Standardbred breed. For a long time, the Standardbred’s pedigree and heritage have disadvantaged the breed as a recreational horse. That perception has changed over more recent times.

The work of expert equine retrainers and committed rehomers has shown what Standardbreds are capable of. The breed is increasingly regarded as producing great riding horses that hold their place in the showring and on the trail.

Our people at Stable to Stirrup also help rehomers with horses that have emergency primary care needs such as teeth, feet, worming and grazing. Rehomers can make an application for emergency funds here.

The STS Programme

Our process sees the horses get assessed prior to entry into the programme. This is to ensure that they are physically and mentally suitable to be retrained as a riding horse and rehomed. Once entered, they are then given a period of time at our grazing to get back into the mindset of being a horse. When they are ready, they are reassessed for health issues, then the starting under saddle commences. The horses are continually assessed in the programme and are ridden over a long period of time by several people of differing ability. When they are ready to be sold, the horse is assessed one final time and then (all being well), they are listed for sale. Prospective purchasers are assessed in terms of their ability to care for and continue the learning of still very green and often young horses.

The process takes time, but it’s robust, horse and rider focused and ensures a great match for a happy life after racing.