What do the donations get spent on?

Second Stable has no paid staff and our Board of Directors act in a fully voluntary capacity. All donations and proceeds of any horses rehomed go directly to Second Stable’s care for horses.

Why does Second Stable need to exist?

The scale of the Australian horse racing industry is huge, with tens of thousands of horses bred specifically for racing each year. It is not possible for all of them to be ‘winners on the race track’, meaning many more horses are bred for racing than anyone knows what to do with.

Some are not considered fast enough very early on, some race for a time and then are retired and some are injured during their racing lives. These horses need somewhere to go. Somewhere safe, loving and dedicated to their well-being.

What happens to the ex race horses?

Some of the horses considered ‘wastage’ by the racing industry will be sold on for breeding or riding. These are usually the ones who have had success at racing and are well known. The majority, however, are likely to be put down or sold through auctions for very low prices.

Many of the buyers at these auctions are knackeries where the horses will be killed for pet food. Due to the lack of registration of horse births, it is unknown how many horses in Australia face this fate each year. However, given the large number of foals born into the racing industry each year and the high attrition rate in the industry, that portion is likely to be significant.

Some horses are unfortunately exported alive, and with no control over what happens to them abroad, they may be killed for human consumption or pet meat at their destination. The long-distance transport of horses to slaughter is not well monitored or regulated.

Is Second Stable involved in the racing industry?

No, Second Stable does not breed horses or sell horses to the racing industry. Second Stable takes injured, unwanted and/or retired horses. These are usually thoroughbreds or standardbred horses (a breed bred for ‘trotting’ racing).

Where does Second Stable get the horses from?

Second Stable will try and take any unwanted horse that needs help, depending on the level of donations we have received. These may be provided to Second Stable by horse trainers or horse owners. In addition, Second Stable will buy horses from auctions when they are likely to be bought for live export or pet food.

What is Second Stable’s philosophy on horse training?

Second Stable has a philosophy that horses respond best to kindness not dominance or fear. Only horse trainers who use gentle methods in the tradition of ‘natural horsemanship’ are used by Second Stable. No whips, hitting or any other physical punishment methods are used by Second Stable horse trainers. This is particularly important for our horses who often come with emotional or physical trauma from the racing industry.