EQUINE WELFARE
“Quite often, being able to grow their business by expanding their facilities is out of reach for them. The grant program has given them the opportunity to commence capital improvements for their properties, which will enable them to expand their capacity and enhance the quality of their retraining. “They were also able to apply for funding to take on a new staff member or purchase equipment to increase efficiency, which is a big help for them to take on more horses. “The maximum individual grants available from the $200,000 fund was $50,000. Applicants had to provide 20 per cent of the total project cost for capital improvements. “Some of the recipients are using the funding for fencing and to create new paddocks, which is a great way of being able to take on more horses. One of the successful applicants is building a whole new barn with six stables, walk-in/walk-out yards, tie-ups, wash bay, feed room, storage ... everything she needed but didn’t have” Emily said. One grateful recipient is retrainer Jade Willis, who bought her property in Barnawartha, near Wodonga, 18 months ago. “I have been trying to slowly develop things stage by stage. To get the grant now is amazing, I will be able to finish all the fencing and get the rest of the property in order. It will mean I am able to take in and retrain more horses.” “In the last calendar year I rehomed 96 horses, and when I have the new paddocks built, I’m hoping to rehome 150 to 160 horses each year,” said Jade.
This story featured in the recent edition of the VRC’s Equine Welfare Bulletin. Enjoy more stories covering topics related to veterinary and research, post-racing careers, VRC & the industry, facilities and practices, and #LovetheHorse on the Equine Welfare Bulletin site here: https://www.flemington.com.au/equine-welfare-bulletin
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