NZTR Recovery Programme

Support for vulnerable Thoroughbreds requiring structured recovery, rehabilitation and managed welfare intervention

Programme Overview

The NZTR Recovery Programme provides structured support for NZTR-recognised Thoroughbreds whose welfare is compromised, or at risk of becoming compromised, and where additional intervention is required to achieve an appropriate and sustainable welfare outcome.

The Programme may assist horses affected by illness, injury, poor body condition, neglect, owner hardship, natural disasters, emergency events or other exceptional circumstances. Support is tailored to the individual horse and may include temporary care, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, retirement placement, retraining preparation or another approved welfare pathway.

The Programme sits between immediate short-term Relief and longer-term Futures support. It is intended for cases requiring active case management and an individual care plan, rather than open-ended assistance or replacement of normal ownership responsibilities.

Programme Objectives

• Protect Thoroughbreds whose welfare is compromised or at material risk.
• Provide structured recovery and rehabilitation support.
• Support participants experiencing genuine hardship or exceptional circumstances.
• Facilitate appropriate rehoming, retraining, retirement or humane welfare outcomes.
• Strengthen traceability and understanding of vulnerable horse outcomes.
• Ensure responsible and transparent use of NZTR welfare funding.
• Support a culture of shared responsibility across the Thoroughbred industry.

Eligible Horses

To be eligible for the Programme, a horse must:

• be a registered Thoroughbred and identifiable by registered name, microchip, brand or another NZTR-approved identifier;
• be located in New Zealand;
• have welfare that is compromised, or at risk of becoming compromised;
• require intervention beyond normal owner responsibilities;
• have a realistic and achievable welfare outcome; and
• be accepted by NZTR following an individual assessment.

Eligible Circumstances and Referral Pathways

A horse may be considered through one or more of the following pathways:

Welfare concern or investigation

The horse is subject to a welfare concern, assessment or investigation by NZTR, the Racing Integrity Board, SPCA, MPI or another recognised welfare agency. Participation must not compromise any investigation or legal process.

Welfare agency referral

The horse is referred by SPCA, MPI, the Racing Integrity Board, a veterinarian or another recognised welfare organisation, including following surrender, seizure or relinquishment.

Owner hardship or exceptional circumstances

The person responsible for the horse is affected by serious illness, injury, death, significant financial hardship, loss of grazing or property, a natural disaster or another exceptional circumstance accepted by NZTR.

Veterinary referral

A veterinarian identifies that the horse requires treatment, rehabilitation, recovery or temporary care beyond the owner's capacity to provide.

Provider Referral

An NZTR Acknowledged Provider or other approved welfare provider identifies that a horse in its care requires additional support to achieve a sustainable welfare outcome.

Transition from Relief

A horse has received short-term support through the NZTR Relief Programme and requires ongoing intervention beyond the scope of immediate stabilisation.

Alternative Pathways

Not all horses assessed by NZTR will be suitable for the NZTR Recovery Programme. Following assessment, NZTR may determine that a horse is better suited to:

• NZTR Relief Programme
• An Acknowledged Provider
• Rehoming assistance
• Retraining support
• Retirement placement
• Another NZTR welfare initiative
• A welfare outcome determined in consultation with a veterinarian

Acceptance into the Programme remains at the sole discretion of NZTR.

Applications are assessed against programme eligibility criteria, welfare risk, available pathways, and the likelihood of achieving a positive welfare outcome.
 

Eligible Providers

• NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers;
• NZTR Acknowledged Rehomers;
• NZTR Acknowledged Rehabilitation or Retirement Farm Providers; and
• Other providers specifically approved by NZTR for an individual case.

Providers are not required to accept a placement. NZTR will select providers according to the horse's needs, location, provider expertise, capacity and available facilities.

Support Available

• standard or enhanced daily care and monitoring;
• veterinary assessment, diagnostics, treatment and medication;
• nutritional support, specialist feed and supplements;
• farriery and dentistry;
• transport and relocation;
• rehabilitation and controlled exercise;
• approved foundation education or retraining;
• retirement placement support; and
• humane euthanasia and disposal where supported by veterinary advice.

Programme Levels

Funding

The Programme is funded through NZTR welfare funding. Funding is intended to protect horse welfare, support intervention where genuine need exists and facilitate measurable welfare outcomes. 

It is not intended to replace normal ownership responsibilities or provide indefinite support.

Approved provider rates and expenses may include daily care, enhanced rehabilitation, retraining, reporting, transport, veterinary treatment, farriery, dentistry and other approved welfare expenses. 

All expenditure is subject to the approved Care Plan, delegated authority and ongoing review.

Programme Requirements

• Each horse must have an approved individual Care Plan and intended welfare outcome.
• The provider must submit an initial assessment to NZTR within seven days of arrival, including photographs, Body Condition Score, veterinary assessment, care plan and estimated timeframe.
• Monthly progress reports must include current photographs, Body Condition Score, veterinary updates, progress against the Care Plan, emerging risks and recommendations. Unless otherwise approved by NZTR.
• Formal reviews will generally occur at least every 30 days.
• Veterinary treatment and other material expenditure require prior approval unless immediate action is necessary to prevent pain or suffering.
• Programme support should generally not exceed 12 weeks without formal review and approval.

Transition Pathways

• return to appropriate owner or carer care;
• rehoming;
• placement with an NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer;
• approved retirement placement;
• transition to the NZTR Futures Programme or another NZTR welfare programme; or
• humane euthanasia where this is the appropriate veterinary welfare outcome.

Before transition, NZTR must receive final photographs, an outcome report and confirmation that ownership and traceability records have been updated.

Circumstances Where Support May Cease

• the horse no longer meets Programme eligibility requirements;
• the approved Care Plan is not being followed;
• required assessments, reports or supporting documentation are not provided;
• the horse exits the provider's care or achieves its approved outcome;
• the provider no longer meets NZTR requirements;
• welfare concerns, misuse of funds or misleading information are identified; or
• NZTR determines that continued support is unlikely to achieve an appropriate welfare outcome.

Programme Administration

The NZTR Recovery Programme is administered by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. Acceptance, funding and continued participation remain at NZTR's discretion. NZTR may amend Programme criteria, funding, reporting requirements or operational processes from time to time.

Related Resources

• Recovery Intake/Referral Form
• Initial Care Assessment and Care Plan
• Recovery Monthly Progress Report
• Recovery Veterinary Assessment Template
• Programme Transition Report
• Recovery Programme Standard Operating Procedure