Greatwood fundraise for horsebox in honour of much-missed Ouzbeck

Last week Greatwood reported the sad death of much-loved ex-racehorse Ouzbeck. A multiple winner who earned over £100,000 in prize money and won over fences at Cheltenham, but perhaps better known for his work once his racing career was over.

This son of Denham Road became famous as a ‘horse in the community’.

Racing Together’s pilot ‘The Ouzbeck Project’, delivered alongside Greatwood and the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) saw the ex-chaser visiting care homes, extending the work he was already doing at Greatwood around mental health and physical wellbeing, but within the elderly community.

Lucy Gurney, Racing Together’s Community Engagement Manager said: “Ouzbeck was a wonderful horse and much-loved by the many who were fortunate to work with him at Greatwood. In addition to his work with young people, we saw him adapt to his visits to care homes and bring joy to so many residents through the Ouzbeck pilot programme.

“He seemed to enjoy meeting residents as much as they appreciated him in return. Greatwood has a wonderful team of horses but Ouzbeck was certainly a special character and a flagbearer for their many impactful programmes and I know his presence there will be missed by many.”

Emotional wellbeing, mindfulness and inclusion are at the heart of all Greatwood’s programmes. The Ouzbeck Pilot explored and measured the impact on, and the benefit to physical and mental health of the residents in the care home, and to use these findings to build and promote wider support.

As a result of Ouzbeck’s ability to connect with young and old alike, Greatwood now has such a demand for their services that they are fundraising for a horsebox in his memory, so that as many people can benefit from therapy via ex-racehorses as possible.

Please visit their JustGiving page to donate, so that Ouzbeck’s legacy of care in the community can continue.