Muswellbrook St Heliers Racehorse rehab program with Newgate at Aberdeen a win-win for everyone
It’s a one-of-a-kind program at an Upper Hunter prison which is benefiting not just the retired racehorses but the inmates too.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s a one-of-a-kind program in NSW, seen as a win-win for everyone.
Retired racehorses get that much needed care and rehabilitation after their hard days on the track, while inmates are given the chance to learn new skills for employment opportunities on release.
St Heliers Correctional Centre at Muswellbrook is paired up with Newgate Stud Farm in Aberdeen in what has been a successful, decade-long partnership between Correctives Services NSW and Racing NSW.
Since its inception in 2012, the Racehorse Rehabilitation Program helps to retrain hundreds of horses for new pursuits like recreational riding, the NSW Mounted Police Unit or equestrian events.
“I’ve been doing this job for 13 years and this is one of the most positive programs and beneficial programs I’ve seen up and running,” Corrective Services Manager of Business Units Alex Ing said.
“Great to come in everyday and seeing these guys move towards something positive instead of just getting run through the system over and over again.
“A lot of these guys haven’t had a lot of responsibility in their life and once they’re given that opportunity to care for an animal, rehabilitate that animal, it really pays dividends.”
The program also provides standard care including feeding, grooming, stabling, assisting visiting veterinarians with equine health and helping farriers apply hoof care.
Mr Ing said what inmates can take away from gaining the animal’s trust, they can use later in their relationships outside of incarceration.
“The animal doesn’t ask you for anything other than time and your affection,” he added.
And it’s become a well sought after job with Upper Hunter inmates at the minimum-security prison, who are gaining lifetime skills and qualifications for the future.
“One of the main priorities is to reduce recidivism and through the use of traineeships really pass on education and training to offenders,” Mr Ing said.
“We’ve had an inmate complete his traineeship in horse husbandry, we’ve got inmates who are now working for local studs.
“We’ve had inmates progress through this program and are now working in the private sector in studs and stable hands etc.”
Commissioner Kevin Corcoran PSM said inmates are also gaining nationally recognised qualifications, retraining up to 60 horses at the prison at any given time.
“Some of these inmates have never interacted with horses before the program, but through education and experience they quickly learn ground work, handling and riding skills that slowly help prepare the horses for rehoming,” Mr Corcoran said.
Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell added, “the Upper Hunter community has a strong presence in the racing industry so it’s fantastic to see how organisations like Newgate Stud Farm are providing inmates with the opportunity to find employment and apply their skills in the industry locally.”
Currently six Muswellbrook inmates are working within the program, but as many as 15 are able to get on board to work with the horses.
Man’s Christmas morning break in before bizarre jetski arrest
In a frightening case of coward violence, a Lake Macquarie man broke into his ex-partner’s home on Christmas morning armed with a knife. Three days later he was caught in a bizarre arrest involving a jetski.
Former RAAF member had no ‘sinister’ intent over gun haul
A court has heard a former RAAF member charged with harbouring more than 60 guns across his Port Stephens property was an antique collector. He has made a bid for freedom in court.