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NZTR Welfare coordinator Alice Riggins

Alice Riggins is an NZTR thoroughbred welfare coordinator focusing on the post-racing life of our thoroughbreds. Behind the Stable Doors are excited to chat with Alice about the welfare sector of the thoroughbred industry and what are some of the key things in the latest welfare update from NZTR and the retired thoroughbred. Alice’s day-to-day role focuses on the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers network, Post racing sponsorships initiatives, and assistance NZTR provides when a thoroughbred is found in a state of neglect. She is also the NZTR-appointed trustee to the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust.


A recent addition to the NZTRs welfare scheme has been the introduction of the 1% levy on stakes money. This aims to fulfil the industry’s obligation to ensure good and proper welfare for equine athletes. The 1% levy provides funds to several key initiatives including the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers network and ensuring the Horse Ambulance is at all thoroughbred and trial meetings. Further increase of stakes money would allow for continued expansion of NZTR thoroughbred welfare initiatives.

In addition to the 1% levy, there is also a full breakdown of where the money is spent in the annual report and industry communications like the 1% newsletter.




Throughout their racing career, each thoroughbred is required to have an accountable person through their racing career. This means that upon retirement the accountable person is responsible for ensuring that the thoroughbred is placed into a home where the new owner has the skills, experience and resources to provide the best care for that thoroughbred.


Catalyst (Photo ERS Equine)

Alternatively one of the other ways thoroughbreds can be rehomed is

through the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers.

The way that they become proven is by having several success stories where they are placed into appropriate homes where they have the resources to ensure that they are well cared for and any changes are handled accordingly as thoroughbreds can be sometimes hard to keep through feed, injury and illnesses. As for any breed or individual thoroughbred, they all have their requirements and differences which can only be helped managed by being in an experienced and resourceful place. Most importantly the rehomed new owner and accountable person must be able to ask and receive well to advice when circumstances allow.

Our NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers

Another large part of welfare in New Zealand racing is the use of Horse Ambulances when required. The New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust was formed in 2016 through a joint initiative between the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand. Currently, there are nine custom-built Horse Ambulances throughout New Zealand. The Horse Ambulance is to provide a service for an injured thoroughbred to be safely transferred to a veterinary clinic for treatment and aims to reduce stress on the thoroughbred and reduce the risk of the thoroughbred further hurting itself, to the extent that shows that it ultimately has a positive impact on the prognosis of an injury. It is also for the rare and sad circumstances where a thoroughbred needs to be euthanised for humane reasons the ambulance can safely escort the horse and provide a dignified way to be transferred to a safe place to euthanise and move to a burial. The key part of the ambulance is that it has hydraulics in the float/ambulance, allowing it to drop down to ground level to make it easier and more comfortable for horses to walk on. The Horse Ambulance is expanding its services to the wider equestrian community and attending events outside of race and trial days.

A large part of the welfare of thoroughbreds and Alice’s role is the post-racing career where NZTR knows the importance of continuing support and providing incentives through a range of activities. The incentives happen from beginners right through to elite in all disciplines including trails, polo and eventing however Alice and NZTR are intending to explore less traditional post-racing lives such as Equine Assisted Learning (See previous blog Anna Rehab to learn more!), Wall of Fame for retired thoroughbreds or Riding for the Disabled.

Anna Rehab - Equine Assisted Learning

While there is a long way to go for thoroughbred welfare, important features including the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust, Accountable Persons and the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers are key components of improving the state of racing and its care for horses. Other forms include the 1% levy and monthly newsletter containing updates to the structure are important for keeping participants informed. The care and welfare of our thoroughbred should be the top priority for any racing participants after all, our horses give us so much that welfare and respect should be at least what we can do for them.


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