Mills Stables Retraining Racehorses

25/12/2024

A bit late but wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from us all! 🎄🎅🏇
Hope all our two & four legged friends all had a wonderful day!

18/12/2024

What a day, one that I don't mind not repeating again!
It was always going to be a hard and emotional one because we had a lovely horse who was sadly booked in to be put to sleep today 😭
The morning should have been quite normal apart from that and me cooking sausage rolls for Marshall to take in to school for his class party. Up early and all put in the oven and then POWER CUT 🤬
A mad rush through the cupboards to find something else for him to take and it was breakfast by candle light 🕯
Matt was not happy he couldn't get his caffeine fix and went out holding an empty coffee cup 😂
Off to school and loads of traffic from 3 way lights and then when we finally got there I realised Christmas jumper day was just jumper day and school uniform! Poor Marshall had his green combats on with his Christmas jumper because I hadn't read the message correctly 🤦‍♀️
Back home and thankfully electric back on so I tried catching up with updating our website which I had tried doing the night before and failed miserably because I was too tired to concentrate 😴
Brain seemed to be finally working a bit better and I managed to sort out a couple of things and add Ritchie on to the for sale page. Still got quite a few more to be added so keep an eye on it over the next few days if you are looking!
Headed off to the rehab yard to check the horses over there and ride one before saying goodbye to DT.
DT came to us just a few weeks ago to be rehabbed and then the hope was he would be rehomed sometime next year but when he arrived quite lame we got him checked by our vets and x rays taken and unfortunately there was no hope of recovery for him, he wouldn't even come sound enough to be comfortable in the field. It is always a horrible decision to make but the best for him and we are just grateful we got to spend some quality time with this gorgeous boy in the short time he was with us. It is never a nice time and this one hit me hard today, he was such a gentleman and a kind boy. He went peacefully munching a packet of polos and handfuls of grass 🏇💔
Home for a bit and then off to school pick up and I was still feeling quite rubbish when a squirrel ran out and hit the wheel of the car travelling in front me! That was nearly it! I really didn't need to see that after everything else today 😢
Now finally I am enjoying watching the puissance and trying to chill after nearly slipping over in what was supposed to be a relaxing bath before the jumping started!
I think bed is where I need to be and tomorrow is another day 😒
RIP DT, sleep well beautiful boy

13/12/2024

Sorry can't help it!
Someone has posted a photo of their former young Racehorse sleeping and the best comment so far is 'poor boy, he looks as though he is in pain!!!'

All of ours must be in loads of pain 🤣
No more words 🤦‍♀️

11/12/2024

Every day I see more and more posts about people having problems with their former Racehorses!
Where does most of the advice send them, kissing spine!
From what I see, there will soon be no horses that haven't had some form of surgery because it is the go to which is going to solve all the problems that you are having with your former Racehorse.
Obviously they are all buggered from their horrendous Racing career?
Or is it the fact that when they leave Racing, many of them need specialised retraining to allow them to adjust both their bodies and minds correctly and at the right pace and with people who know and understand how to do that for them?!
How many people send their horses away to be started by a professional because they don't have the time or knowlegde to start them correctly under saddle and want to give them the very best possible start in their ridden career?
Why do Racehorses not get this and why do so many people not consider that they need the same, the best possible start to their new ridden career by people who know what they are doing?
I backed many, many horses over the years, many years ago and I can honestly say it was easier backing and training a young untouched horse to what it is retraining a Racehorse.
So, why??? Because these Racehorses have already been taught how to be ridden but many in a completely different way to your average riding horse. They are bred to be athletes and their whole world in Racing is completely different to anything your riding cob or warmblood have ever experienced. They live in a very structured lifestyle and are ridden to gallop! Even when I backed young Racehorses, although they also had some schooling education they were ultimately produced to go into racing rather than be a dressage horse or happy hacker and when they come out of Racing we have to re produce them all over again.
Why isn't this always easy? Because they have already had a job and a career and these intelligent, hard working animals will still be a Racehorse even after they leave Racing. Just because you have turned them away for 6 months and fattened them up or long lined them for miles and miles and done hours of ground work, when you get on they haven't miraculously forgotten what it was like to be a Racehorse and most never will.
Is that a problem? NO? It isn't if we ubderstand them for what they are and realise that not only are you teaching your Racehorse how to be a ridden horse, you have to adjust your whole way of riding to help produce them in the best possible way.
Post aftert post I see people saying my horse goes like a giraffe, their tongue is over the bit, they are lame, why? Because you are making them go that way!!!! You are riding them in a way they don't understand, you are making them uncomfortable, you are creating more physical and mental issues than they ever had whilst they were in training!
In training, they walked to the gallops, either galloped up a hill or round a few very huge circles, they had a blast and they went home. The riders were light on their backs, they were not put under loads of pressure, they were galloping, doing what many horses love doing in the fields with their friends, we were just getting to enjoy doing it with them. Yes, there is pressure when in the races and some schooling days at home when you are really working them but unless you have sat on a Racehorse on the gallops up sides his friends and felt that tug as they put their heads down and want to race their friends you will never understand how much so many of them love their job!
When you are trying to retrain your Racehorse and it looks like a giraffe and doesn't want to trot or canter for you, is that fun for them, NO!!! Are they enjoying their new life with you, NO!!!
Is it entirely your fault, NO, but do something about it. Realise that unfortunately you may need help from people that know what they are doing. Don't get an instructor who has no idea about Racehorses and how they need retraining, they won't help you do anything apart from cause more pain and misery to your horse as you battle on trying to turn it into a riding horse!
Why now does the physio say your horse has a sore neck and back, why now does the horse not want you to ride it, why now is it uncomfortable in their guts?
Why do you think?
Because you are trying to ride something you don't understand how to ride. You have bounced about on their back, they have carried their heads so high trying to tell you they don't understand and it is uncomfortable for them, you are probably heavier than the jockeys that used to ride them, you need to be balanced and light in the saddle so they can try and carry you as well whilst you bounce about trying to learn to ride them, you are pulling them in the mouth as you try and send them forward. They either don't want to go forward or run away, why? Because they have no idea what you want them to do!
And when it keeps going wrong under saddle, strap them down in gadgets and lunge them. And then what do they do? Some will gallop around like idiots because they are trying to tell you that they can't physically carry themselves on a small circle with their heads strapped down and then they stop and spin! But in all this, they are crying out for us to understand that they are struggling and what you are doing is really uncomfortable for them, they are now deemed to be just naughty or dangerous!
So let's get the dentist, the saddle fitter, the vets, the physio. Let's spend a furtune on finding out why these horses are reacting like this, well it must be kissing spine or it must be ulcers. It probably is ulcers now because they have got so stressed because you don't understand them that now they are both physically and mentally in a bad place.
Do we look at the bigger picture and could it possibly all come from us?!
Of course not, we just have a Racehorse who was obviously treated badly in Racing and has kissing spine because it was started to young. Now just think about that!!! Had we actually given the horse proper training with a professional who knows and understands Racehorses, maybe we wouldn't have all these issues!
Most horses are probably going to have some form of kissing spine, if we manage and produce them correctly we can avoid many back issues, just like looking aftrer ourselves.
It doesn't just come from the start of their retraining we have to manage our training to suit these horses as they progress, listen to them when they are struggling and they don't understand, don't push them too soon but equally spending 6 months trotting around a school waiting for their heads to drop from the sky because they need time is NOT helping your horse! You are creating these issues, get help from the right people!
It frustrates me because we are always the last people they turn to and yet we are the ones that know what we are doing!
If more people looked at getting support from retrainers and people who understand Thoroughbreds then there would be far less horses suffering at the hands of people who have no idea how to retrain them and then just sending them off to get sliced and diced because they now have a sore back!
Retrainers are out there to help give these horses the best possible start in their new lives, instead of spending all your money on fancy new saddles, bridles, fluffy headcollars & rugs maybe actually spend it on finding the right people to help you and your horse.
If you would never ever feel 100% confident you could back your own youngster, why do you think you have the ability to retrain a Racehorse. Believe me it is harder sometimes.
Yes, the journey of retraining is great but when things are going wrong, ask for help from retrainers, don't keep letting your horse suffer!
Well if you got to the end, well done!
I am sure I am going to get all the know it alls and keyboard warriors telling me I am wrong. Of course I am 😂
Just come and see our happy, relaxed horses as they enjoy their retraining with us!
I know that there are plenty of happy, well trained horses out there in a fab homes and I love seeing those success stories.
This post is honest and aimed at trying to help and educate people not to put anyone down. We all love our Racehorses, I just want people to open their minds to understanding them better 🏇

Photos of the horse that taught me everything ❤️ Baikaline 🏇

10/12/2024

When Louise Robson from Thoroughbred Dressage asked me if I would like to chat with her about what we do, I must admit I was a bit worried that I might struggle to do it, but as always, once I start chatting about these fabulous horses, I can't actually shut up!
I do hope you all enjoy this, you might want a large glass ( or bottle ) of wine and some snacks to enjoy when you sit down to listen, it is quite long 😂
Thanks again to Lou for giving me this opportunity.
I do really hope it gives people a better understanding of what we do, why we do it and that we really are here to help give Racehorses the very best possible start to their new lives out of Racing as they embrace the journey with their new owners!

🎙️ NEW EPISODE 🎙️
Episode 28: Mills Retraining; Retraining, Rehoming, Rehab, what does finding a life past the post look like for these horses?

https://open.spotify.com/show/4LITgXQwUAHqyKAJauTzhP?si=Vg6kYi89SxefPpHmPfz-tQ

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/all-aboard-the-racehorse/id1750705353

Amanda and Matt Mills run one of the most prominent retraining yards in the UK. Having both worked in racing previously, they now have two yards that are dedicated to retraining, rehoming and rehabbing racehorses.

What does it take to take on a former racehorse? What should people consider when taking on a former racehorse? How much does it cost to actually retrain a racehorse? �
This conversation is everything it should be; honest, heartwarming, and talking about the highs and lows that come with the retraining lifestyle. Im so grateful to Amanda for being so honest and open and I think its a really insightful episode

Please share amongst everyone

Louise instagram:
Facebook: Thoroughbred Dressage
Website: www.thoroughbreddressage.com

HorseQuest Dengie Horse Feeds Glaze & Gordon Equine Exceed Retraining of Racehorses Towcester Equine Vets Amanda Mills

25/11/2024

This video is nearly 2 weeks ago but as usual I struggle to try and find time to squeeze in putting them together!
It shows the start to finish of our day and how we manage with juggling everything 😵‍💫
Hope you enjoy it!

A full day already and then we have to empty the fields for the new Racehorses coming for their winter holidays!We managed to juggle a few things and re plan...

24/11/2024

Well what a week!
Snow, ice, rain, temperatures ranging from -2 to 14 degrees and 40mph winds 🌨❄️☃️🌬💦💨☔️☁️
The great news is that on Friday Jam went off to his new home
Beryl went to her new home on Saturday
Sage went to his new home today
Three lovely horses finally found their people to start the next chapter of their lives with.
Pleased to say, we have already had updates that they have all settled in well 🥰🏇

22/11/2024

We still have snow on the ground tonight and over the weekend it is going to be 14/15 degrees!
What is going on with this weather 🙄
Hope you like the video of our morning in the snow this week 😆🏇☃️❄️🌨🏇

Hope you all like the video! Join us on our road trip around the gallop to get hay out to the field horses

15/11/2024

Beryl features in our latest YouTube video 🏇
We have loads of videos on YouTube of the horses, their training and what we get up to in a day, so do subscribe to us 🙏

This video shows a bit more about family life and an afternoon with Marshall & the ponies once the horses are all done for the day!Beryl was great on her hac...

15/11/2024

We would love to get a viewing for Beryl on Sunday or next week?!
No one seems to be coming forward for her so we will keep trying!
She is enjoying a bit of jumping and schooling and is an ideal winter project / family horse.
She is better hacking in company and has such a sensible head on her that she would probably take to the hunting field quite well!
There must be someone out there for her 🙏
An easy, safe little mare who doesn't need riding everyday and will quite happily also be a pet!
Not at all mareish!
Please keep sharing for us 👍


Link to our website with more info and video
https://youtu.be/mFHc7rU2P38?si=9lLClLaBOmJy3GtS

08/11/2024

We need your help!
Please can everyone share these two lovely mares details so that we can find them their new owners as soon as possible 🙏

Beryl ~ 16hh, bay, 6 year old
https://www.millsstablesretrainingracehorses.co.uk/beryl
Chique ~ 16.2hh, chestnut, 5 year old
https://www.millsstablesretrainingracehorses.co.uk/chique
Follow the links for more details and videos

We have loads of mares so if you know a mare person or you are one then do get in touch!
We have another 3 also available soon 🏇

07/11/2024

One of the hardest days today in what we do, the lovely boy in the rug in this photo, today closed his eyes for the final time 😢
He was an old boy who unfortunately only got to spend a few months with us but he has happy and relaxed with my oldies and he enjoyed those few months.
He went with us right by his side and we are just grateful that we were able to be there when he needed us most! His lovely owner is obviously distraught and our thoughts are with her.
They may not be our own horses but we care about them all as if they were and these days don't get any easier when it is their time to say goodbye 💔
In all the years we have done this, it was the first one that we have lost out in the fields with horses still there and it was really hard for me to deal with, not just losing him but watching the reactions of the other horses around him. They were as upset as I was and we all had cuddles after he had passed. I learnt alot more about them today!
Horses are one of the most magical animals and we are so lucky that they allow us to be such a huge part of their lives 🏇

06/11/2024

16.hh, 6 year old mare 🏇
Beryl has been in a loving home but unfortunately due to a change in her owners circumstances and having no time to ride her, she is with us to find her new partner!
She mainly hacked in her home in company so we have started to bring her on in the school and hack her alone. Her schooling is coming along really well. She prefers hacking in company to start with but once she has confindence with you, she will hack alone. Beryl is a very safe ride who is a nice winter project, fun ride horse for someone.
She is loving her jumping!
If anyone is looking for a low level allrounder to bring on/ hacking horse, she could be the one for you! She is definitely more whoa than go so if you want a nice chilled out ride come and meet Beryl!
She is great to handle in and out of the stable, not mareish, she is a really nice young girl looking for someone to enjoy life with and continue her education.

Available to view this weekend and next week

https://www.millsstablesretrainingracehorses.co.uk/beryl
( follow the link for video & 💵)

29/10/2024

Where is everyone who is looking for a lovely big gentle giant!
17.1hh, gelding, 12 years old who is a gentleman to have around.
Loves his hacking, schools nicely and enjoys his jumping.
We get loads of enquiries but no viewings!
We really need to find all our horses the right homes asap now as we have loads waiting to come in so please get in touch.
Open to 'sensible' offers but don't ask me for a swap or loan!
Ridden by everyone and such an easy horse to do in all ways.

28/10/2024

Beryl has been in a loving home but unfortunately due to a change in her owners circumstances and having no time to ride her, she is with us to find her new partner!

She has mainly hacked in her home so we have started to bring her on in the school. Her schooling is coming along really well and she seems to love her jumping! She prefers hacking in company to start with but once she has confindence with you, she will hack alone. Beryl is a very safe ride who is a nice winter project, fun ride, allrounder horse for someone.

If anyone is looking for a low level allrounder to bring on/ hacking horse, she could be the one for you! She is definitely more whoa than go so if you want a nice chilled out ride come and meet Beryl!

She is great to handle in and out of the stable, not mareish, she is a really nice young girl looking for someone to enjoy life with. Very easy to do in all ways!
Teeny little sarcoid which hasn't changed since her owner has had her.
Beryl is on our website so head over there for more info or give me a call / message about viewing her. Can be seen and tried this week or the weekend
www.millsstablesretrainingracehorses.co.uk

27/10/2024

This is what we get up to when we aren't retraining & rehoming Racehorses 🥰
A fun family day out with the most amazing pony who did actually come from a Race Yard!

Marshall loves the horses and these days are so precious 💞

A bit of fun Sunday afternoon viewing!

We had the best time at Solihull Riding Club for the Halloween Show. I was the headless horseman in the fancy dress and keep watching to see Lola in the hors...

26/10/2024

Some clips from our RoR Midlands clinic day ~ Introduction to owning a former Racehorse 🏇

Hopefully we will be doing some more soon!

The lovely Chique was our demo horse for this one 💗

Don't forget we have loads of videos going up on our YouTube channel so do subscribe to us 🙏

We hosted a clinic for RoR last year and we were so pleased to be asked to do another this year! Some clips of our day for you all.We had a fabulous turnout ...

26/10/2024

Please, please do make sure you definitely want a Thoroughbred before booking a viewing with us!
This week we have had a viewing cancelled and then re booked for tomorrow and now they have cancelled again because they've decided they want a warm blood instead!
I'm now left with a weekend of no viewings booked in and horses to rehome.
I don't mind people coming to try our horses to see if they are suitable for them but come on, don't waste my time, you know what we have when you book, we only have Racehorses!!! 🏇
I now have a lovely 17.2hh, 12 year old gelding ready for viewing tomorrow so if you are genuinely looking for a horse, please do get in touch 🙏
We have a few on our website and I will be putting more up so have a look and let me know what you are looking for. If we have none that seem suitable, drop us a message via the form to let me know what you are after.

Mills Stables Retraining Racehorses and Midlands Racehorse Rehabilitation