McGregor Equine

01/10/2025

If anyone wants to donate to help the seized Mt Eliza horses, contact, Liken Fencing Stockfeed & Garden Supplies to make a contribution, they are the feed supplier to the RSPCA 🙏

Thank you to one of our wonderful sponsors , John , from LIKEN Fencing, Stockfeed & Garden Supplies, for helping facilitate donations for the Mt Eliza horses .
For those of us who have been wanting to help, now is an opportunity. All organised by the tenacious Wines . Please see details on photo ….

25/09/2025

Breeding season! Mares are “swabbed” prior to breeding to rule out infection or inflammation in the mare’s reproductive tract. Cytology smears enable examination of the cells of the uterus under the microscope, and the swabs are plated onto media and incubated
for 48hrs for culture of organisms. Any bacterial growth can then be identified and the appropriate treatment instituted if required.

21/09/2025

My “thank God for organised clients on a Sunday morning” moment this morning. Foaling season is upon us and it is important to be prepared for unexpected contingencies. This maiden mare foaled early and her otherwise healthy baby has very lax tendons making it imperative that she is confined to a small area whilst her legs strengthen up. I am impressed with this cattle yard gates set up as it means we can modify the existing safe foaling yard easily to confine the mare and foal to the shelter until the foal is strong enough to proceed to a larger area. They are also good panels because the foal will not be able to accidentally fall through them and end up the wrong side of the fence! This is a common problem and can be life threateningto the foal. So much easier to have plans in place in advance as things don’t always go perfectly and foals might need extra help to get going. Prior proper preparation is key!! 🙌🤩💯🌟

29/07/2025

🙌💯

An Open Letter to Those Who Wish to Help the Off-the-Track Racehorses 🐎💌

I’m writing this letter because, just like you, I want to help racehorses who retire sound from racing. I want to ensure they go on to live lives where they are well cared for.

Sadly, many of these horses end up neglected — or worse.

While there are many factors that contribute to these welfare issues, I want to share what I’ve learned about these beautiful animals. My hope is that it helps you give them a life where they are loved, respected, and valued for their big hearts, enormous try, and incredible athleticism.

1️⃣ First and foremost: they were trained to race.

That’s not just a fun fact — it’s the foundation of how they think and behave. These horses have been taught to do a very specific job: run fast, go forward, and react to movement with speed and power. That’s what they anticipate. That’s what they expect. That’s what their body and brain have been conditioned for.

So your first job is to teach them their new role as a pleasure or performance horse.
And just as importantly, you’ll need to un-train their old one.

This takes time, patience, strategy, and skill. They’re not being ‘difficult’ — they’re doing their job until they understand their new one.

2️⃣ Their body has been shaped by their career.

From diet and metabolism to feet, joints, and gut health — everything about their body has been impacted by the demands of racing.

Transitioning to a new lifestyle isn’t just about retraining — it’s rehab.

You’ll need to:

- Adjust their diet gradually and mindfully
- Support hoof health (because thoroughbred feet are, well… notoriously dodgy)
- Treat or manage gastric ulcers, if present
- Build their physical condition in a way that supports comfort and soundness

Equine Anatomist Sharon May-Davis has studied the musculoskeletal system of Thoroughbreds extensively. Her research reveals how factors like the camber (slope) of city vs country tracks, and the direction horses race (clockwise or anti-clockwise), lead to skeletal asymmetries and imbalances.

So these horses don’t just need training — they need physiotherapy through training.

And often some veterinary expertise or bodywork therapy is necessary to help them function with comfort and symmetry, especially in the early stages.

3️⃣ Conformation matters — and many are built to run, not collect.

Selective breeding for racing performance has shaped racehorse conformation. While some are naturally well-proportioned for riding disciplines, others have anatomical features that make certain movements — like collection — more physically challenging.

This doesn’t mean they can’t learn new skills. It just means we need to be mindful of what we’re asking, and whether they have the build and strength to do it easily or comfortably.

So when selecting a horse, consider whether their conformation suits the job you have in mind. You’ll set both of you up for success.

4️⃣ Most OTTBs aren’t ‘difficult’ — they’re misunderstood.

No horse is more misunderstood than the retired racehorse.

They get labelled as anxious, unpredictable, difficult, even dangerous. But the reality is, they often become reactive because they’re:

- Confused
- Uncomfortable
- Overwhelmed

They’ve been trained to do one thing and suddenly expected to do something else with no translator.

But when you strip away the confusion, give them time to learn, support their physical needs, and show them how to succeed — you’ll see who they really are: kind, willing, sensitive, and full of heart.

5️⃣ Retraining an OTTB is not easier than starting a young horse.

In fact, it’s often more complex.

You’re not starting from a clean slate — you’re reshaping existing patterns, responses, and associations. It’s a journey, not a quick fix.

And if you are re-starting a Standardbred, many haven't even been backed yet!

Start simple. Help them navigate easy tasks before adding complexity. Let them build confidence, physically and mentally.

Unfortunately, many people don’t know what’s really involved. Horses are thrown in the deep end, confused and underprepared, and when something goes wrong, they get labelled ‘problem horses’.

And from there, their future becomes uncertain.
Because a horse seen as difficult or dangerous has little to no value — and that’s when their welfare is at greatest risk.

6️⃣ Their new value is built through training.
At the start of their career, racehorses are valued for their racing potential — sometimes tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When they retire, their value lies in their education.

A retrained horse has value as a riding partner — in pony club, dressage, show jumping, trail riding, or just being someone’s much-loved companion.

So when I retrain an off-the-track Thoroughbred or Standardbred, I know I’m doing more than just teaching them new skills. I’m giving them value. I’m securing their future. And to me, that’s deeply important — and incredibly rewarding.

❤🙏Please help share this.

Please share this letter, talk about these horses, and help others understand what’s truly involved.

Because the more people who understand their needs, the better we can support them — and the fewer horses end up confused, cast aside, or at risk.

Their future doesn’t just rest with the racing industry or government programs — it rests with all of us.

If you care about horses, you can help. And if you’re one of the special people who gives a Thoroughbred their second chance — thank you.

They deserve it.

➡️CHECK OUT THE FIRST COMMENT: Isabelle Chandler & I have a webinar this week, you are invited ❤ It is focused on how to select an OTTB if you are considering giving one a home ✅

IMPORTANT‼ Hit the SHARE BUTTON - Do not copy & paste, as it is not cool. If you would like to publish this in a magazine or newsletter please DM me.

18/07/2025

An amazing vet and special person. Thank you Robyn Charman for your amazing help over the years, you will be missed! ⭐️

It is not without regret that I inform you that today was my last day at South Eastern Equine Hospital.

I would like to thank all of our wonderful clients and referring Veterinarians for their support over the past 16 years.

I can’t begin to thank our staff enough for their support, dedication and hard work. Without them nothing would be possible.

Rest assured you and your horses will always continue to receive expert veterinary care from the staff at the South Eastern Equine Hospital.

Best wishes for your future equine endeavours.

Robyn Charman