HORSE RESCUE, Possibilities for NY Old Race horses.
What one New York racetrack is doing to help its retired racehorses.
Horse racing is a big money sport. Even average horses cost well more than most people could ever dream of spending on a horse, and just getting a horse to the track for its first race takes a considerable investment of time and money. But not many horses win enough for their owners to break even, let alone get rich. Many thousands of racehorse are born every year in the US alone, and although each one carries the dream of winning the Kentucky Derby, only one will do it. So what happens to all the racehorses that don’t win big, or even win at all? How long can an owner be expected to pay for training and racing if a horse can’t win? Or what happens if a horse – even a good one – gets injured? Horse rescue can play a big hand in what happens.
Sure, some horses can go to stud farms. But for colts, and certainly for geldings, this isn’t an option except for the very best. Mares have a better chance, but even so, many mares just aren’t good enough to justify an expensive stud fee. And remember, most racehorses are retired as young as four or five; very few go on to race much longer. So where do all these young horses go? The truth is sad to tell. There are countless stories, court cases, and investigations into what happens to ex-racehorses. Some are sold for meat, which usually means they have to be exported to another country and endure a miserable journey. Some are destroyed, and others abandoned. A very small number find new homes, where they are sold or adopted to start a new life doing something other than racing. One of the most famous, and saddest stories, was of how this tragedy befell one of the greatest racehorses ever. Ferdinand was no average racehorse; he won the Kentucky Derby in 1986, and went on to win 7 other races and nearly 4 million dollars. He was destined to have a great career at stud, and he was ultimately sold to a well known stud farm in Japan. But what happened next is shocking. Ferdinand didn’t do well at stud; he didn’t get many foals, and those he did have didn’t perform to his owner’s expectations. Ferdinand disappeared. It was later discovered that this Kentucky Derby winner had been sold to a butchers in Japan in 2002, leaving his previous owners – and all who knew him and saw him race – heartbroken.
But out of this tragedy came some hope. In 2006, the New York Owners and Breeders' Association initiated the ‘Ferdinand Fee’, which is a small voluntary per-race fee that goes to supporting initiatives that help to make sure retired racehorses get good homes. More recently, the New York Racing Association have adopted a new policy where the association will permanently revoke stalls provided to any horse owner or trainer found to have directly or indirectly sold a horse for slaughter. And one New York Track is taking this even further. In 2007, Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, built a new facility, especially for retraining retired racehorses, called the “Purple Haze Center’. The plush stables can take up to 16 horses at any time, and has indoor training facilities and turn out paddocks. Horses that retire sound, either from age or due to simply not being fast enough, can move into the new facility where specialist trainers re-school them for riding, dressage, eventing, and other disciplines. People looking for a new horse to ride or compete can come to the stables to see and try out several quality horses at one time. Even horses with injuries can move through the program to find homes and broodmares or companion animals. Potential adopters go through a strict screening process, to make sure they have the skills and facilities to care for their new horse, and they can try out the horse in the professional facilities and with the support of the Purple Haze trainers.
Already over 100 horses have been adopted out of the program and into caring homes. And several other tracks are planning to develop similar facilities. It’s a small step, but it’s making a big difference. Retired racehorses can make excellent riding horses. They are generally well bred, well cared for from an early age, professionally trained, confident and athletic. Once they can be shown how to relax, they usually learn new skills very quickly. Some ex-racehorses have gone to adapt well in all kinds of other sports. Even former Grand National winners can be retrained – Bindaree (2002 winner) is competing in dressage, and Royal Athlete (1995) showed in junior side saddle. Perhaps the most notable success for a retired racehorse is Andrew Hoy’s Moonfleet, who went on to win the Badminton 3-day Event in 2006.
Adopting a retired racehorse is a great way for an experienced rider to get a good horse to compete, or just to ride. But racehorses are challenging; you need to be confident in your horsemanship, and be sure you have the right facilities or coaching to continue your horse’s reschooling. But if you really are ready, adopting a retired racehorse is a very rewarding thing to do. Even if you don’t think you can handle a racehorse, there are many charities working to rehome retired racers, and they are always looking for help. You can make donations, sponsor a horse, or volunteer your time. For these beautiful hard working horses, every little bit helps!
Want to know more?
To find out more about the Finger Lakes program, visit: http://www.fingerlakestap.org/
To find out how you can help retired racehorses, you can start with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation: http://www.trfinc.org/
THE ROAD TO UTOPIA", BY NANCY PARKER-SIMONS
Noah had it easy. On any given day at the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch in Medina, Texas, Nancy Parker-Simons, her husband Tony Simons, and a willing crew of employees and volunteers care for at least sixty rescued dogs, not to mention numerous cats, chickens, pigs, horses, wild mustangs, donkeys, and a rooster named Alfred Hitchcock-and Kinky Friedman, the rescue ranch's "Gandhi-like figure" who brings Nancy and Tony stray and abused animals, raises money for the rescue ranch, and makes sure no one leaves the ranch without a dog or two. In this entertaining book, Nancy Parker-Simons tells the heartwarming, often hilarious story of the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch. She describes how a series of "it must have been fate" incidents brought her together with Tony Simons and Kinky Friedman, and how, in 1998, the three of them decided to create a no-kill haven for homeless and abused animals in the Texas Hill Country. Since their first rescue--the "magnificent seven" which were, in fact, forty-one dogs liberated from local animal shelters--"Cousin Nancy" and her crew have rescued over one thousand animals. Parker-Simons tells the fascinating stories of several dozen fortunate dogs, cats, and other animals that have come to the rescue ranch, either to be adopted by new owners or to live out their days in the ranch's "utopia." She also pays tribute to the many supporters who have helped keep the ark afloat, including First Lady Laura Bush, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dwight Yoakam, Robert Earl Keen, Molly Ivins, and Don Imus. Everyone who cares about animal welfare will find The Road to Utopia hard to resist.
