Retired racehorses sent west to families recovering from drought

For one reason or another, many western Queensland families have experienced the pain of parting with a beloved horse in the last couple of years.

In the compassionate style many have come to know and love, Kenilworth racehorse trainer Stan Johnston has found a way to fill the void and bring more cheer to the west.

Already well-known to Longreach School of Distance Education families for a number of initiatives, most notably supplying every student with an iPad, Stan this week brought eight retired racehorses west to give them new homes with school families.

It’s something he’s had in mind for some years but he and fellow donors John Pointen and Prue Howard from Rockhampton and Ron Cameron and Les Rock, Brisbane, had to wait for it to rain to make it safe to do.

A number of the horses have high credentials – half brother to a horse that won a million dollars, winner of the Gladstone Newmarket – and they’ve all been part of their former owners’ teams.

Stan happily acknowledges that rehoming unsuitable or older horses is good for his industry, saying that it’s important to be proactive.

“But there also seems to be a lot of need here – drought took its toll,” he said. “It’s a lot of pleasure to do this and as far as I’m concerned, I’ll keep bringing my horses out here.”

John Pointen added that it was good to know they were going to a good home.

He said that they would be well-suited to mustering and a number would take to showjumping and performance events.

Former school captain Ben Spackman couldn’t wait to get to know his new mount, Limerick Star, after losing his horse in the drought.

His mother Pauline said it may have been hard to replace but now it had happened, thanks to “the mind-blowing generosity” of other people.

“What it means for Ben – he’s very horse-oriented – I’m lost for words,” she said.

Bec Smith is from Hammond Downs at Windorah and she said the donation of War Noise meant that she could go riding with her seven-year-old son again.

“My horse is 24 years old and retired. It’s so touching that people care enough to help people who’ve gone through drought and lost horses,” she said.

Other recipients of the trainers’ generosity included the Brown family at Ilfracombe, the Hollingsworth family at Pentland, the Semple family at Richmond, the Bradshaw family at Winton, and the Yore and Boyd families at Aramac.

They also received saddles, bridles, saddlecloths, rugs, bandages and veterinary supplies, donated by the trainers and purchased through the local Longreach saddlery.