Pringles was purchased for myself to bring on as an event horse. I was looking for a horse with a nice temperament, clean legs, not too big (I am only short!), good confirmation and a good walk and canter.

She was bred by Rhonda Hall at 12 Oaks Thoroughbreds in Richmond. Rhonda also trained her at the start of her career before she moved up north to be trained by David Keating. She had her last race on 26 June 2022.

Since picking up Pringles she has been ‘letting down’ to allow her muscles, organs and mind time to adjust to life after racing.

I find this is the most important part of the transition from racehorse to pleasure/competition horse. This is the time when I want to try to get on top of any physical issues that may have occurred during her racing life.

Below is a list of things that I made sure were done or checked with Pringles in her first month of being here.

• worming -all new horses coming onto my property are wormed on arrival.
• vet exam and dental check- this showed that Pringles had a retained baby tooth so this will be x-rayed and removed before she is started under saddle.
• a 28-day course of Ulcershield was started under veterinary consultation. Pringles did not have a gastroscopy however statistically 90% of thoroughbred race horses have ulcers so it was decided to start treatment.
• Farrier visit to remove race plate and to trim her up. I have left her shoes off for this 6 week cycle as the ground is soft. However, I will be getting shoes put on next cycle as she will be started under saddle again and the ground will start to harden up.
• As soon as Pringles arrived bodywork was started weekly. Everyone has different preferences with bodywork however I use a lady who performs Bowen Therapy on the horses which I find works very well. This is also paired up with chiropractic work.
• I transitioned Pringles from her race feed onto the feed that I have chosen (Seedhouse). She will drop some muscle tone while letting down and spelling but I want to make sure she sustains a good body weight. She has free access to good-quality grass hay and is also given Lucerne hay as it has a higher calorie content.

The next month will be continuing with Pringle’s bodywork and also start to introduce groundwork and lunging to build up her fitness and strength before the work under saddle begins.