While most thoroughbreds only race for a fraction of their lives, Racing SA is committed to the overall and extended care of the former racehorse so it lives its best life well after its racing days are over.
It's a commitment that Holly Mills holds close to her heart. A nutritionist with Hygain, partner of the peak body's Thorough Care SA initiative, her life's work is to ensure the right care and diet are in place for the thoroughbred's entire life and not just the time in the racing spotlight. This means that, post-racing, it enjoys the same level of care it did when it was thundering around our racetracks.
"The racehorse diet can be high in starches and they get quite a large amount of feed so when they retire from racing, they can't just turn off the metabolism," Mills explains. "They need to adjust to life after racing and a higher fibre diet. The horse needs a transition period."
Thorough Care SA and Hygain have joined forces to offer owners of former racehorses a nutrition consultation. Owners are provided with three bags of feed to kick-start the new feeding regime and a supplement pack to help with the digestive system, joints and hydration. A "senior" package tailored to older horses was also offered to 50 owners of horses aged over 12 years.
Mills grew up with horses just outside of Melbourne, riding at pony clubs, and says she was always leaning towards a career in equine care. But the defining moment came when she attended a seminar conducted by Hygain in regional Victoria.
"It was brilliant and I was so inspired by it that I pursued a career in animal science," she recalls. "It even encouraged me to knock on Hygain's door looking for a job."
Mills may be Victorian but she has a strong SA connection. She started her Bachelor of Animal Science with electives in equine nutrition at Adelaide University and completed it at Roseworthy Campus, where she is returning for her Master's degree.
These days, Mills spends time travelling the nation providing advice on equine care and nutrition. She says her connection with Thorough Care SA provides the opportunity to give owners of former racehorses ongoing support.
"People are now looking at their next horse to be an off-the-track thoroughbred because the rewards are there," she says. "They can take them as companion horses, for pony club, eventing, dressage or even polo. I have an off the tracker myself and he's turning into a very nice equestrian horse."