Purpose-built horse ambulance assists top class performer
As the new season kicked off on 1 January 2023 the horse ambulance service was on track to continue to protect the wellbeing of NZ’s equine athletes.
While standardbreds are bred to compete and willing participants in harness racing, their welfare is paramount. The dedicated national horse ambulance service is a tangible example of racing industry participants and stakeholders doing the right thing for equine welfare.
Former top performer Dance Time (Rock N Roll Heaven), stable name Toby, is one horse who benefited in 2022.
The eight-year-old standardbred, who won 18 races in Australasia and $241,505 in stakes, sustained a serious lower leg injury during his last start in June 2022 at Addington Raceway. He was retired from the race and walked back to the stables by driver, Tim Williams.
Trainer, Amanda Telfer took immediate action to transfer the horse to an equine veterinary specialist.
After assessment at Canterbury Equine Clinic, Toby was diagnosed with a compound spiral fracture of his left hind leg and underwent surgery the next day, with nine screws inserted into the cannon bone.
Toby being loaded in to the horse ambulance at ground level
By late July, Toby’s fracture was healing well enough for the gelding be safely transferred by horse ambulance to an agistment farm for 6-8 weeks of box rest.
The purpose-built horse ambulance has a two-point hydraulic system that lowers it to the ground. The horse enters, and exits, without needing to turn. A padded crush supports the horse securely during its journey making it safer and more manageable to transport.
A home-bred stable favourite of Stonewall Stud and Stables, Toby is now at the stage where he is moving freely in a small paddock and with the promise of a well-earned retirement.
Harness racing is well-supported by the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust with purpose-built equine ambulances based in Cambridge and the Manawatū, and on site at Ascot Park, Addington Raceway and Alexandra Park.
Last season (1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022) there were 253 harness meetings, 1,983 horses started, and the horse ambulance was required at 12 race-day incidents. Two standardbreds were transported from a specialist equine veterinary clinic to agistment, and a retired standardbred was transported for the SPCA from Ngāruawāhia to a foster home in Matamata.
The Trust is fortunate to receive an annual contribution to operational expenses from HRNZ through part of a 1.5% animal welfare levy on stakes. In return, there is a horse ambulance at every harness race meeting in the country – at no cost to the racing clubs.
In an industry that has had its share of challenges, the horse ambulance is a positive initiative for equine welfare and a welcome sight on racetracks.