Thoroughbred Transition Assessment

The Beyond the Track Transition Assessment supports owners to make informed, welfare-focused decisions about the future of Thoroughbreds transitioning from racing, breeding, or other industry activities.

Every Thoroughbred is different. Age, health, temperament, previous experience, and individual circumstances can all influence which pathway is most appropriate.

The assessment considers each horse as an individual and helps identify the level and type of support that may be required for a successful transition. Depending on the horse, this may include retraining for a second career, rehoming, rehabilitation, a companion or retirement home, or other appropriate welfare outcomes.

The assessment also helps connect eligible horses and owners with NZTR-recognised providers and relevant welfare and aftercare programmes.

ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Every Thoroughbred is different. The assessment considers the horse’s history, current condition, behaviour and future needs.

Key considerations include:

• Health and soundness – current physical condition, injuries, health issues and any ongoing care needs. 
• Behaviour and handling – temperament, everyday handling and any behaviours that may affect safety or future placement. 
• History and experience – age, racing or breeding history, previous ridden experience and education.  
• Veterinary or rehabilitation needs – any treatment, rehabilitation, recovery time or ongoing management required. 
• Future suitability – potential for retraining, ridden work, rehoming, companion placement or retirement. 
• Long-term welfare – whether the horse’s needs can be appropriately managed and a good quality of life maintained. 

These considerations help identify the most suitable pathway for each horse, based on its individual needs, capabilities and long-term welfare.

A - Transition Ready

The horse is considered suitable to transition into an appropriate new home, role, or retraining pathway without significant additional support.

• Good general health and physical condition
• Safe and manageable to handle
• No significant physical or behavioural limitations
• Suitable for an appropriate ridden, non-ridden or breeding pathway
• Good prospects for retraining or rehoming

B - Supported Transition

The horse is suitable for transition but may benefit from additional time, retraining, promotion, or other support to secure an appropriate long-term placement.

• Generally healthy, safe and manageable
• May need further retraining, preparation or time
• Age, history, behaviour or ongoing management needs may limit options
• Some unappealing characteristics or habits
• May have had unsuccessful rehoming attempts
• Additional support likely to improve placement prospects

C - Rehabilitation & Recovery

The horse has a physical or other identified need that should be addressed before progressing to an appropriate retraining, rehoming, or retirement pathway.

• Injury or health issue currently limits future options
• Requires treatment, rehabilitation, spelling or recovery
• Veterinary assessment supports a reasonable prospect of improvement
• Likely to have suitable options following recovery
• Safe and manageable during rehabilitation

D - Companion & Retirement 

A non-ridden pathway is considered most appropriate for the horse, with suitable options potentially including breeding, companion placement or long-term retirement.

• Ridden work is not considered appropriate
• Suitable for companion or retirement placement
• Safe and manageable to handle
• Ongoing health and management needs can reasonably be met
• Good quality of life can be maintained with appropriate care

E - Welfare Support

The horse has significant physical, behavioural, or welfare needs requiring further assessment and an individual welfare plan. This may include veterinary intervention and, where appropriate, consideration of humane euthanasia in consultation with a veterinarian.

• Significant physical, behavioural or welfare concerns
• Poor prognosis or significant impact on quality of life
• Safety or management needs significantly limit suitable options
• No suitable and sustainable long-term pathway identified
• Veterinary advice may support humane euthanasia where appropriate