Second Stride is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization that is a thoroughbred racehorse adoption facility that retrains racehorses off the track once they are retired from racing and adopts them out to new owners.
In 2012 Second Stride was successful in adopting out 78 Thoroughbreds into new homes and second careers. My daughter, Anna Blanton, was one of those adopters whose Second Stride horse’s name was Lucky Albert. You can see a prior story on Louisville.com about Anna and Lucky Albert’s adoption at Second Stride here.
Anna Blanton with her Second Stride adoptee Lucky Albert.
Second Stride also had great success in 2012 with their fundraising efforts. Second Stride had a very successful Pre-Derby “Very Important Pony” fundraiser at Molly Malones in 2012 raising $15,000 allowing them to take in more horses into their program. Their 2nd Annual Golf Scramble fundraiser made another $10,000 despite the pouring down rain. The 2013 “Very Important Pony” fundraiser will be held at Molly Malones on Baxter Avenue on April 29, 2013, so mark your calendars. This event will feature celebrity guest MC’s, as well as Derby owners/trainers/jockeys in attendance. A silent and live auction will take place. Go to the Molly Malone’s website for more information. Be sure to thank them for supporting the horses at Second Stride by hosting this event. More information will be forthcoming on the 2013 Molly Malone’s fundraiser and the 3rd Annual Gold Scramble fundraiser on the Second Stride website here.
Second Stride needed some assistance in keeping their horses dry and warm in inclement weather and the help came. ASPCA generously donated funds for Second Stride to build a much needed run-in shed for pastured horses to take cover in when the weather is at its worst. Second Stride also launched a facebook plea for some new turn-out blankets to keep Thoroughbreds in transition from the track life to turn-out pasture life warm. Off the track Thoroughbreds usually have clipped coats so to keep them warm these were badly needed. Thoroughbreds also experience a metabolism change during their transition that will make them lose weight temporarily and the blankets help them from using up more calories staying warm. All horses that came into the program over winter got their new blankets thanks to these donors: Skylight Supply in Goshen Kentucky, Lindsey Rairden, Kathy Stim, Leslie Pratt, MacKenzie Ferguson, Kathryn Magnusson, Buff Bradley, Brooke Miller, Karen Taylor, Laura Hays, Sarah Rudd
You can now follow Second Stride on facebook by going here. Interested in donating to Second Stride or adopting one of their horses? You can do so by going to their website here or by contacting them at the following:
Phone: (502) 845-8879 / Email: info@secondstride.org / Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1483, Crestwood, KY 40014
Second Stride is located at Moserwood Farms in Prospect and Pleasureville, Kentucky.
Photo: Courtesy of Sandy Dolan