Evolution of NZ’s Unique Horse Ambulance Service
Article originally published in the NZ Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners’ Bulletin, Summer 2026
New Zealand’s world-class horse ambulance service is in its tenth year of operation and provides an invaluable service to the racing industry. The Kiwi-built horse ambulance is fast becoming an invaluable part of the fabric of the racing and equestrian communities, ensuring the welfare and well-being of our equine athletes.
The NZ Horse Ambulance Trust (NZHAT) was established in 2016 to protect and promote horse welfare by funding and operating a nationwide fleet of equine ambulances. It is a charitable trust funded through donations and sponsorship, with its direct operating costs financed by NZTR and HRNZ welfare provisions.
Kiwi ingenuity lies behind the initiative, with two well-known equine veterinarians, Drs Peter Gillespie and Bill Bishop, chatting over a drink about how raceday vets and track staff could better respond to incidents. On many occasions, it was difficult to get an injured horse off the track and safely to the local veterinary clinic. In the worst-case scenario, a tractor and a tray were often used to move a body off the track, which was unconscionable for devastated connections and in the public perception of horse racing.
The equine branch of the NZ Veterinary Association (NZEVA) supported their vision, and the hard work began on designing and building a prototype equine ambulance.
Transport engineer Barry Armour and Dr Peter Gillespie, designed a vehicle equipped with a unique hydraulic lowering system to load and gently transport injured horses to receive specialist care, and potentially life-saving treatment. These advances not only improve outcomes for animals but also align with how we care for human athletes, with veterinary teams responding with the same urgency and empathy as medical teams at sporting events.
Image credit The Digital Birdcage
Now, with 10 ambulances in the fleet, a team of experienced operators attend over 700 racedays, trials, and equestrian events nationwide, significantly improving horse welfare and incident response. It also assists equine hospitals and, occasionally, animal rescue groups in transferring horses that cannot travel in a traditional float or truck.
Our systems ensure we act responsibly, and in the horse's best interests. We make every effort to reduce risk; there is always a dedicated veterinary specialist to administer the best care and outcome for all horses participating on race day, and we work closely with them.
Custom-built by TL Maclean Ltd in Mosgiel, the key features include:
a hydraulic system to lower the ambulance to the ground so a horse can step onto the ambulance, minimising the risk of further injury
a quick assembly crush to safely support the horse in transit
a front exit so the horse does not have to turn around or back out
a moulded rubber floor, lighting and ventilation
When a horse is injured, these features make the loading and transport as smooth as possible, giving them the best chance of a good recovery.
The unique design has attracted overseas racing jurisdictions as a gold standard for emergency equine assistance vehicles, with four NZ-built ambulances in Australia and one in Canada.
While NZHAT’ basic costs are primarily funded through the racing codes, the equine welfare charity still needs to raise an additional $200,000 each year through fundraising and sponsorship to cover the shortfall and build a reserve for the future.
Racehorse owners contribute to the horse ambulance service through a welfare levy on stakes. It is a small percentage that has a massive benefit for the horses, the beating heart of the sport.
The NZTR Welfare Levy is a 1% contribution from prizemoney that plays a vital role in strengthening welfare outcomes for horses before, during, and after racing. Approximately 25% of the quarterly $1 million budget is allocated for the provision of horse ambulance services at all Thoroughbred race meetings and trials across New Zealand.
In the 2024/25 season, this amounted to 672 racing fixtures (across both horse racing codes) and 83 deployments. While the horse ambulance is visible on track, there are other occasions where we are called upon to assist in getting a horse to the right place safely.
To date in the current season, an ambulance has been required 55 times to respond to an incident involving an injured or unwell horse.
The Trust makes every effort to market and promote its service to the broader racing and equine community and the public, as well as its importance in ensuring the highest quality of animal welfare at racing and equestrian sports events.
Crocetti representing NZHAT at the inaugural National Thoroughbred Week 2025
Image credit Selena Wright
This included being part of the inaugural National Thoroughbred Week, which brought together communities across the country to celebrate the versatile Thoroughbred and showcase the care and dedication that take place at studs, stables, veterinary clinics, and aftercare facilities.
Founding Trustee Dr Bill Bishop attributes the Trust's success to the strong sense of community within the racing industry. Through collective efforts and donations, they raised significant funds to establish and operate the service.
"People just rallied around. We had individual vets, individuals, stallion owners, breeders, horse-related industries – everybody chipped in, and we basically raised over $1 million within a couple of years," said Bill.
Many leading industry stakeholders have partnered with the Trust, including Entain, NZB, and Cambridge Stud. The Trust is indebted to all our supporters for powering our mission. It illustrates the passion everyone involved in racing and wider equestrian sports has for equine welfare