DARLEY REHOMING PROGRAMME

The Darley Thoroughbred Rehoming scheme operates from Badlingham Manor Stud on the outskirts of Newmarket. We rehome and retrain geldings only; most of whom have raced but there are others who have simply not made the grade. On arrival at Badlingham, the horses are given a minimum of two months turnout to allow them to wind down and socialise with other horses. This time can be extended to as much as six months rehabilitation if the horse is recovering from an injury. When the holiday is over, the retraining begins! This includes teaching the horses to stand at the mounting block, tie up outside the stable, lots of basic handling as well as schooling them and ensuring they are good to hack out in company and alone. For those who can go on to jump, they do pole work and start jumping. At the start of the programme, we know what the horse can physically go on to do and through the programme we find out what the horse will enjoy doing.

We then start to look for a home. Selection Process: At this stage all the applicants are looked at to see who would be most suited to the horse. There is no top or bottom to the list; just whoever looks best matched. As well as what the horse can do, its temperament comes into consideration. We have had horses who need twenty four hour turnout or one on one attention or no mares nearby, all this has to be considered at this stage. A suitable applicant will then be contacted and invited to the yard to meet the horse.

The applicant will groom, tack-up and ride the horse firstly in the school and also on a hack. This is done with the Manager, Jo, and the usual rider of that horse who will ride the horse first. The applicant may be invited for a second time to come and ride the horse. A new home is found! The horse then comes to you on a three month loan with an agreement signed when you collect the horse. During this period you need to insure the horse for vet fees and third party liability.