Old Friends Equine
Racehorses, retirement, animal welfare and the language of equestrian life.
Explore the language used in the video about retired racehorses and the people who provide them with a home after their racing careers. Study useful vocabulary, expressions, collocations and grammar before completing the interactive activities.
1. Vocabulary: the world of retired racehorses
Learn the key words and expressions connected with horse racing, retirement, equine care and animal welfare.
A. Horse racing and equine life
Thoroughbred
A breed of horse particularly associated with horse racing.
Example: The farm provides a home for retired thoroughbreds.
Racehorse
A horse trained to compete in races.
Example: A racehorse may need a new purpose after its racing career.
Retired racehorse
A horse that has stopped competing in races.
Example: Retired racehorses can live at specialist farms.
Horse of the Year
A prestigious title awarded to an outstanding horse in a particular racing season.
Example: Black Tie Affair was the 1991 Horse of the Year.
Eclipse Award
An important award in American thoroughbred racing.
Example: The Eclipse Award is compared to an Oscar in horse racing.
Veterinarian
A professional who treats animals and provides medical care.
Example: A veterinarian may assess a retired horse's health.
B. Retirement and animal welfare
Sanctuary
A place where animals can live safely and receive care.
Example: Some former racehorses are taken to animal sanctuaries.
Slaughterhouse
A place where animals are killed for meat.
Example: The video discusses the fate that many retired racehorses once faced.
Abandon
To leave someone or something without the necessary care or support.
Example: Abandoned horses may be left without food or proper shelter.
Post-racing care
Care and support provided to horses after they stop racing.
Example: The industry needs to consider post-racing care.
Donation
Money or goods given to support an organisation or cause.
Example: Donations help fund the farm's work.
Co-founder
One of two or more people who establish an organisation together.
Example: Diane White was Michael Blowen's co-founder.
C. People and organisations
Film critic
A person whose job is to review and evaluate films.
Example: Michael Blowen previously worked as a film critic.
Fundraising
The activity of collecting money for an organisation or cause.
Example: Donations and fundraising can support animal care.
Annual cost
The amount of money something costs over one year.
Example: The annual cost of maintaining a horse can be substantial.
Maintain
To keep something in good condition through regular care or work.
Example: It is expensive to maintain a large farm.
retire → retirement → retired
donate → donation → donor
compete → competition → competitive
maintain → maintenance
2. Collocations and useful expressions
English words often occur in predictable combinations. Learning these combinations will make your speaking and writing sound more natural.
A. Useful verb + noun combinations
| Expression | Meaning / example |
|---|---|
| Provide a home for | Give an animal a place to live. The farm provides a home for retired horses. |
| Maintain a horse | Pay for and provide the care a horse needs. It costs money to maintain each horse. |
| Raise funds | Collect money for a particular purpose. The organisation raises funds through donations. |
| Face a fate | Experience or be confronted with a particular outcome. Some horses faced an uncertain fate. |
| Provide care | Give someone or something the attention and support needed. Retired horses still need proper care. |
| Identify with | Feel that you share experiences or qualities with someone. Michael identifies with the retired horses. |
| Attend a service | Go to a formal religious gathering. They attended a church service. |
B. Expressions with prepositions
Be responsible for
To have the duty of looking after something or someone.
The organisation is responsible for the horses' care.
Be funded by
To receive financial support from a particular source.
The farm is funded by donations.
Be compared to
To be described as similar to something else.
The award is compared to an Oscar.
Co-founded by
Established jointly by two or more people.
The organisation was co-founded by a husband and wife.
After a career in
Following a period of professional activity.
After a career in horse racing, a horse may need a new home.
At the end of
When a period or activity finishes.
At the end of its racing career, a horse may retire.
C. More natural expressions
Just as fun
Equally enjoyable or entertaining.
Michael finds his new life just as fun as his old job.
A new lease of life
A fresh opportunity to enjoy life or begin something new.
Retirement can give a former racehorse a new lease of life.
Make a difference
Have a positive effect on a situation or someone's life.
People who care for retired horses can make a difference.
3. Grammar lab
The language of the video and the listening questions provides useful examples of passive constructions, verb patterns, relative clauses and prepositions.
A. The passive voice
We use the passive when the action or the person or thing affected by the action is more important than the person performing it.
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Present simple passive am / is / are + past participle |
The farm is funded by donations. |
| Past simple passive was / were + past participle |
The organisation was co-founded by Michael and Diane. |
| Present continuous passive am / is / are being + past participle |
Some horses are being abandoned. |
| Present perfect passive has / have been + past participle |
The horses have been given a new home. |
Active: Donations fund the farm.
Passive: The farm is funded by donations.
Active: Michael and Diane co-founded the organisation.
Passive: The organisation was co-founded by Michael and Diane.
B. Passive voice: when do we use it?
1. When the agent is unknown:
Some horses were abandoned on public land.
2. When the agent is unimportant:
The horses are checked regularly.
3. When we want to focus on the result:
The organisation was established to help retired horses.
C. Verb patterns: infinitive or -ing?
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| need + infinitive | The horses need to receive proper care. |
| stop + -ing | The horse stopped racing. |
| start + -ing / infinitive | Michael started working at the farm. |
| avoid + -ing | Owners should avoid abandoning horses. |
| provide + noun + with | The farm provides horses with shelter. |
| help + object + infinitive | The organisation helps horses find new homes. |
D. Relative clauses
Relative clauses give us extra information about people, animals and things.
WHO — people
Michael Blowen, who used to work as a film critic, founded the farm.
WHICH / THAT — animals and things
The horses that have retired from racing need continued care.
WHERE — places
The farm is a place where retired horses can live.
E. Question formation
| Question word | Example |
|---|---|
| What | What does the farm provide? |
| Who | Who co-founded the organisation? |
| How much | How much does it cost to maintain a horse? |
| How many | How many horses live at the farm? |
| Why | Why does Michael identify with retired horses? |
After does, use the base form of the verb.
Correct: What does the farm provide?
Incorrect: What does the farm provides?
4. Interactive practice
Test your understanding of the vocabulary, expressions and grammar. Check your answers after completing each activity.
Activity 1 — Vocabulary in context
Choose the correct word or expression to complete each sentence.
1. A horse that has stopped competing in races is a ______ horse.
2. Money given to an organisation to support its work is called a ______.
3. A place where animals are protected and cared for can be called a ______.
4. The amount of money required over twelve months is the ______ cost.
5. A person who establishes an organisation with someone else is a ______.
Activity 2 — Collocations and expressions
Choose the expression that completes each sentence naturally.
1. The farm provides a ______ for retired racehorses.
2. The organisation is funded ______ donations.
3. Michael says he can identify ______ the retired horses.
4. The organisation was co-founded ______ Michael and Diane.
5. It costs a considerable amount to ______ a horse.
Activity 3 — The passive voice
Complete each sentence using the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.
1. The farm __________ by donations. (fund)
2. The organisation __________ by Michael and Diane. (co-found)
3. Some retired horses __________ on public land. (abandon)
4. The horses __________ a safe place to live. (give)
5. The award __________ to an Oscar. (compare)
Activity 4 — Grammar: verb patterns
Choose the correct verb form.
1. The horse stopped ______ when it retired.
2. The horses need ______ proper care.
3. The organisation helps retired horses ______ new homes.
4. Owners should avoid ______ horses.
5. Michael started ______ at the farm.
Activity 5 — Relative clauses
Choose the correct relative pronoun.
1. Michael Blowen, ______ used to work as a film critic, founded the farm.
2. The horses ______ have retired from racing need continued care.
3. The farm is a place ______ retired horses can live.
Activity 6 — Correct the mistakes
Each sentence contains a grammatical mistake. Rewrite the complete sentence correctly.
1. The farm is fund by donations.
2. Michael identifies to the retired horses.
3. The organisation was co-found by Michael and Diane.
4. What does the farm provides?