Safety Net Programmes
Safeguarding Thoroughbreds when additional care or intervention is needed, with a focus on protecting welfare, enabling recovery and ensuring appropriate long-term or end-of-life outcomes.
Sometimes a Thoroughbred may find themselves in circumstances where their welfare is at risk and additional support is needed.
NZTR’s Safety Net Programmes provide targeted assistance for Thoroughbreds requiring immediate welfare support, recovery or a more appropriate long-term pathway. Through the Relief Programme and Recovery Programme, NZTR works with owners, industry participants, Acknowledged Providers and other partners to respond to identified welfare needs and help achieve an appropriate outcome for the horse.
We also recognise that not every horse can be safely or responsibly rehomed, rehabilitated or retired. Our End-of-Life Guide provides practical information to help owners make timely, informed and humane decisions when euthanasia may be the most appropriate option for their horse.
Together, these resources provide a safety net for Thoroughbreds when additional intervention is required, ensuring the horse’s welfare and quality of life remain at the centre of decision-making.
Relief Programme
The Relief Programme provides short-term assistance when the welfare of a Thoroughbred is at immediate or imminent risk due to unexpected or emergency circumstances.
Support is designed to stabilise the horse’s immediate welfare while an appropriate longer-term outcome is established. Depending on the circumstances, this may include essential veterinary care, feed, transport, temporary agistment or humane euthanasia and disposal.
The Programme recognises that unexpected events, including natural disasters, temporary financial hardship, compassionate circumstances or veterinary emergencies, can affect an owner or carer’s ability to meet a horse’s immediate needs. Assistance is temporary and targeted, providing a bridge to sustainable care or another appropriate welfare or aftercare pathway.
Recovery Programme
The Recovery Programme provides structured support for Thoroughbreds whose welfare is compromised, or at risk of becoming compromised, and who require additional intervention to achieve an appropriate and sustainable outcome.
Support is tailored to the individual horse and may include veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, nutritional support, temporary care, retraining preparation or retirement placement. Each horse follows an individual care plan, with its progress and welfare needs monitored throughout the Programme.
The Programme provides a pathway for horses requiring more than immediate short-term assistance, helping them recover and transition towards an appropriate next step, whether that is returning to suitable care, rehoming, retraining, retirement, further support through another NZTR programme, or humane euthanasia where this is the appropriate welfare outcome.
End-of-Life Guide
Making decisions about a horse approaching the end of its life can be difficult. The End-of-Life Guide provides practical guidance to help Thoroughbred owners and those responsible for their care make informed, timely decisions with the horse’s welfare and quality of life at the centre.
The guide helps owners assess quality of life, consider appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, management and long-term care options, and recognise when humane euthanasia may be the most appropriate welfare outcome.
It also provides practical information on seeking veterinary advice, planning for humane euthanasia when required, and understanding responsibilities following a horse’s death. The aim is to help owners navigate these decisions with clarity and ensure unnecessary pain, distress or suffering is not prolonged.