Retired thoroughbreds find second chances, new careers in Kentucky racehorse retirement and adoption centers [Equine]

Retired Thoroughbreds find second chances and new careers at Kentucky Thoroughbr

Retired thoroughbreds find second chances, new careers in Kentucky racehorse retirement and adoption centers [Equine]

Posted On: 26 Apr 2012 - 1:30pm

Here's information about additional thoroughbred retirement and adoption organizations that have retired thoroughbreds residing at their facilities or Thoroughbred horses up for adoption.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program was founded in 1992 to offer retiring racehorses a safe haven, rehabilitation and continued education with placement in experienced caring homes. New Vocations runs the biggest thoroughbred adoption program in the country. Most horses arriving at New Vocations are injured and thin, suffering from the normal occupational hazards of racing. New Vocations strives to teach retired racehorses needed new skills so as to be useful in a new career and increase their chances of being adopted. Without these new skills, off-the-track racehorses are at high risk of being sent to the local livestock auction where many times they are sold to slaughter. In 2011 a record 429 ex-racehorses were placed in new homes by New Vocations. (Famed thoroughbred racehorse trainer Nick Zito’s wife, Kim, sits on the advisory board for New Vocations.) New Vocations is co-hosting a program called Thoroughbreds for All! after the Rolex Kentucky cross-country day on April 28 to promote retired thoroughbred adoptions. For more information on this program, check out this article on Louisville.com. For more information on New Vocations and its horses available for adoption, visit its website.

CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) started as a solution to help racehorses find new careers by connecting buyers and sellers through posting racehorses for sale on the Internet. CANTER has a Kentucky-based program in which it assumes ownership of thoroughbreds and has volunteers who approach trainers and gather information on horses that are being retired and are for sale by trainers. CANTER than shares the information on its website. CANTER is an all-volunteer organization. Kentucky-based thoroughbreds that are available on the CANTER site can be viewed here.

Second Stride provides professional rehabilitation, retraining, and placement for retired thoroughbred racehorses in qualified homes so that they may reach their full potential in a productive second career. Second Stride is made up of volunteers who are active in other areas of the racing industry: owners, partnership managers, handicappers and trainers. They work to improve racing from within, and know from firsthand experience how many people may have the desire to retire a horse safely, but at times find that difficult to do. Horses available for adoption at Second Stride can be viewed here.

ReRun was founded in 1996 to rehabilitate, retrain and find adoptive homes for thoroughbred racehorses when their careers on the track are over. Currently ReRun’s Kentucky-based thoroughbred horses are pensioned with ReRun but you can help offset the expenses of their care by going here. ReRun has other ex-racehorses available for adoption at some of their other sites and you can view those at its main website.

The Blackburn Correctional Complex is a thoroughbred retirement foundation facility that through its Second Chances program pairs retired racehorses with prisoners in a vocational training program for the inmates. The Blackburn Correctional facility has 55 thoroughbred horses currently retired at its facility. A movie has been made about what happens when prison inmates meet a thoroughbred horse, called Homestretch. Visitors can schedule a visit at the equine complex during weekdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. by contacting Linda Dyer, herd manager, at LindaC.Dyer@ky.gov. Blackburn Correctional Complex is located at 3111 Spurr Road, Lexington, Ky.

If you are interested in adopting a thoroughbred from any of these adoption organizations, you will need to fill out an adoption application and get approved. Depending on the organization, most adopters will need equine experience to get approved so that the horse has the best chance of getting successfully placed in a suitable home. Adoption applications can be accessed on the organizations’ website links listed above. To see a sample of some of the thoroughbred horses that are up for adoption and view photos taken at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center, Old Friends Equine, and the Blackburn Correctional Complex, take a look at the slideshow at the end of this article. To see all of the horses that are up for adoption, visit the websites of the adoption organizations listed.

Donations to these organizations to help offset the cost of the care, retraining and adoption efforts that help the magnificent racehorse we call the Thoroughbred are always welcome.

Photos & Video: Makers Mark Secretariat Center and Old Friends photos and video: Courtesy of Anna Blanton

Blackburn Correctional Complex photos: Courtesy of The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

New Vocations horse photos: Courtesy of New Vocations

Thoroughbreds Aviator and Catch Me If U Can photos: Courtesy of Carly Dolan

Slideshow:

Two Thoroughbreds graze in the picturesque pastures of The Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Two Thoroughbreds graze in the picturesque pastures of The Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Danthebluegrassman is one of the 116 horses under the care of Old Friends Equine.
Danthebluegrassman is one of the 116 horses under the care of Old Friends Equine.

Flick is a pasture mate of Danthebluegrassman at Old Friends Equine.
Flick is a pasture mate of Danthebluegrassman at Old Friends Equine.

Thoroughbred Creator, he's all attitude and knows he was good. Creator hailed from the famous Godolphin stables in Dubai, Saudia Arabia.
Thoroughbred Creator, he's all attitude and knows he was good. Creator hailed from the famous Godolphin stables in Dubai, Saudia Arabia.

The final resting place for the equine residents who have passed on to greener pastures at Old Friends.
The final resting place for the equine residents who have passed on to greener pastures at Old Friends.

Thoroughbred Special Ring shares his paddock with Popcorn Deelites and he likes to let everyone know he is indeed special by showing off his J.C. lip tatoo.
Thoroughbred Special Ring shares his paddock with Popcorn Deelites and he likes to let everyone know he is indeed special by showing off his J.C. lip tatoo.

A statue of the late great Secretariat appears to be gazing out over the beautiful paddocks of the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
A statue of the late great Secretariat appears to be gazing out over the beautiful paddocks of the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Up for adoption from New Vocations - Little Fruit Fly - 6 yr old, 16.1hh Chestnut Thoroughbred mare, adoption fee $700.
Up for adoption from New Vocations - Little Fruit Fly - 6 yr old, 16.1hh Chestnut Thoroughbred mare, adoption fee $700.

Up for adoption from New Vocations - Moms Activelil Star - 4yr old, 15.3hh Bay Thoroughbred Mare, adoption fee $400.
Up for adoption from New Vocations - Moms Activelil Star - 4yr old, 15.3hh Bay Thoroughbred Mare, adoption fee $400.

Up for adoption from New Vocations - Native Tongue - 8 yr old, 15.3hh Bay Thoroughbred gelding, Adoption fee Waived
Up for adoption from New Vocations - Native Tongue - 8 yr old, 15.3hh Bay Thoroughbred gelding, Adoption fee Waived

Ata Slew is a retired Thoroughbred in the Blackburn Correctional Complex's Second Chances program.
Ata Slew is a retired Thoroughbred in the Blackburn Correctional Complex's Second Chances program.

Do Not Touch is another retired Thoroughbred in the Blackburn Correctional Complex's Second Chances program.
Do Not Touch is another retired Thoroughbred in the Blackburn Correctional Complex's Second Chances program.

The horse barn at the Blackburn Correctional Complex.
The horse barn at the Blackburn Correctional Complex.

Retired racehorse Man From Artemus (Aviator) shows his stuff in his new career as a dressage, jumper, and eventing horse.
Retired racehorse Man From Artemus (Aviator) shows his stuff in his new career as a dressage, jumper, and eventing horse.

Retired Thoroughbred Crafty K.C. (Catch Me If U Can) shows off her style in her new career as a barrel racer and pole bending horse.
Retired Thoroughbred Crafty K.C. (Catch Me If U Can) shows off her style in her new career as a barrel racer and pole bending horse.

Old Friends Equine Trophy Room.
Old Friends Equine Trophy Room.

The Breeders Cup Trophy won by Starine in 2002 at Old Friends Equine.
The Breeders Cup Trophy won by Starine in 2002 at Old Friends Equine.

This is Old Friends Equine's little dapple grey mascot Little Silver Charm. He is a charming fellow with a mane that any rock star would envy.
This is Old Friends Equine's little dapple grey mascot Little Silver Charm. He is a charming fellow with a mane that any rock star would envy.

Old Friends equine resident Patton enjoys a carrot from Founder Michael Blowen.
Old Friends equine resident Patton enjoys a carrot from Founder Michael Blowen.

Popcorn Deelites, who played the famous horse Seabiscuit in the movie of the same name, gets a treat from a visitor as Old Friends tour guide Beth Shannon looks on.
Popcorn Deelites, who played the famous horse Seabiscuit in the movie of the same name, gets a treat from a visitor as Old Friends tour guide Beth Shannon looks on.

Thoroughbred Rugby is one of the horses up for adoption at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Thoroughbred Rugby is one of the horses up for adoption at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Thoroughbred Monkey Toes is up for adoption at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Thoroughbred Monkey Toes is up for adoption at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Thoroughbred Rugby gets a neck rub from visitor Carly Dolan at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Thoroughbred Rugby gets a neck rub from visitor Carly Dolan at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

The immaculate stables at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
The immaculate stables at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

U of K marketing Intern Alex gives one of the Thoroughbreds a little attention at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
U of K marketing Intern Alex gives one of the Thoroughbreds a little attention at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Lovable Thoroughbred Victorias Secret is looking for some attention at the Makers Mark Secretriat Center.
Lovable Thoroughbred Victorias Secret is looking for some attention at the Makers Mark Secretriat Center.

Thoroughbred Duke takes a rest while getting a hug from U of K Intern Julia Fabiani in the Makers Mark Secretariat Stables.
Thoroughbred Duke takes a rest while getting a hug from U of K Intern Julia Fabiani in the Makers Mark Secretariat Stables.

Saddles sit at the ready for Deb Fabiani's saddle fitting clinic at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Saddles sit at the ready for Deb Fabiani's saddle fitting clinic at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Saddlefitter Deb Fabiani conducts a saddle fitting clinic to determine which of the Center's saddles best fit each Thoroughbred in retraining at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Saddlefitter Deb Fabiani conducts a saddle fitting clinic to determine which of the Center's saddles best fit each Thoroughbred in retraining at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

Two of the beautiful Thoroughbreds up for adoption out to pasture at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.
Two of the beautiful Thoroughbreds up for adoption out to pasture at the Makers Mark Secretariat Center.

A beautiful spring view of Old Friends Equine's pastures.
A beautiful spring view of Old Friends Equine's pastures.

Old Friends Founder, Michael Blowen, feeds Thoroughbred resident Afternoon Deelites a carrot.
Old Friends Founder, Michael Blowen, feeds Thoroughbred resident Afternoon Deelites a carrot.

Patton enjoys grazing in the pasture of Old Friends Equine.
Patton enjoys grazing in the pasture of Old Friends Equine.

Michael Blowen pets his favorite horse at Old Friends Equine, Marquetry won 2.5 million dollars and bred two Breeders Cup winners.
Michael Blowen pets his favorite horse at Old Friends Equine, Marquetry won 2.5 million dollars and bred two Breeders Cup winners.

Old Friends resident Gulch enjoys getting some of his winter coat rubbed off his chest by Founder Michael Blowen.
Old Friends resident Gulch enjoys getting some of his winter coat rubbed off his chest by Founder Michael Blowen.

Old Friends resting place for Thoroughbreds inducted into the Jockey Club's Hall of Fame. This is Skip Away's headstone.
Old Friends resting place for Thoroughbreds inducted into the Jockey Club's Hall of Fame. This is Skip Away's headstone.