Monday, January 25, 2010

Rescue Horses Receive Free Vaccines; Accepting Applications Now

From an edited press release theHorse.com 1/18/2010

More than 2,500 horses received vaccinations through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). Established in December 2008, the UHVRC is now accepting applications for 2010.

Equine rescue and retirement facilities wishing to apply for spring 2010 vaccinations should visit UHVRC.org and submit an application by February 1.

Applications for fall vaccinations must be submitted by August 1.

Equine rescue and retirement facilities must submit a new application each year to be considered. Beginning in 2010 all approved UHVRC vaccine orders will be shipped directly to the supporting AAEP-member veterinarian. The facility will be notified in writing when vaccines are shipped so they can make the appropriate arrangements with their veterinarian.

How to Apply:
  • To qualify, equine rescue and retirement facilities must work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to complete and submit an application, facilities checklist and vaccine request form. Facilities must also follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
  • To download an application and the AAEP Care Guidelines or to learn more go to www.UHVRC.org

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Two Stories of Not Giving Up--- Hayseed and Sally





I like many of you receive several emails in my in box, messages on my Facebook page, and tweets by the truck load. I would like to say that I pay attention to all; but like most of us I simply don't. However, late this morning an email caught my attention, and well I have to share.


Caballo Press, has a divison called Caballito for their Children's books. Their first published title will be Hayseed's First Race by Sally Shrock. To be published in April, 2010.


Not only is the story of the main character, Hayseed, adorable but there is a lesson in it for children (never give up, love yourself, and don't let the opinions of others shape your own). Hayseed loves himself and even knowing he isn't the best looking horse, or the fanciest enters the same race as the others. A message that can easily and sweetly counteract the message children receive everyday. But more compelling is the story of the author.



Sally is not only deaf, but losing her home to a predatory lender. Sally is on the verge of being homeless if she doesn't quickly find a way to stem the tide. Many in this economy are in the same boat. What makes her story a bit different is that people who barely know her want to step up and help. The goal is to accumulate 50,000 to 100,000 pre-sale orders of her Hayseed's First Race book.


"We are going to do everything in our power to secure Ms. Shrock a large number of pre-orders in an effort to give her an opportunity to buy back her home and at the very least find a home she can move into if she is forced out of her current residence", states Caballo Press' Rudy Alvarado.


An effort to spread the word about Hayseed, the improbable race horse and his creator, Sally has started on Facebook. A fan page called "Save Sally & Hayseed" has been created by Linda Wright. Linda (a friend and fellow Horsenameographer) felt compelled to do what she could to help Ms. Shrock out.



In addition, in helping with a pre-order purchase of the book, a portion of the sale will also benefit Anna House, the non profit childcare center located on the backside of the Belmont Race Track. Caballo Press supports several non profit organizations from the sale of their books.

The Second Race wants to support the cause as well, and encourage a purchase of the book. I have placed my order. http://www.caballopress.com/HayseedBook.html


To read an excerpt from the book, please click on the link below.

http://www.caballopress.com/HAyseedPreviewForHrsnmeogrhrsSecurelLinkXY09785THD/files/NrseNmogrphrsPreview.pdf

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Eclipse Awards and Me?




As I looked out unto the ballroom of the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel before the start of the 39th Annual Eclipse Awards; I said to myself "How did I get here"?





Now, obviously I had driven myself and handed the car keys to the valet, and that the gift of attendance to the Eclipse Award celebration was my Christmas gift from my Mom. What I needed to do was stop and answer the "why" while soaking in the moment.



My return to watching horse racing began around 1999, with the cementing of my passion for it with the Kentucky Derby win of War Emblem a couple years later. I still remember watching War Emblem the almost black colt in the pre-parade, something about him sparked inside me an immediate love for this horse. I knew in watching him that afternoon that he was going to win. When he did in fact win, I whopped louder than anyone else in the restaurant (where I was watching the Derby). I was hooked once again by the beauty, the pageantry, the thrill and the action of Thoroughbred racing.



I regularly went to the track with my Mom, it was a bonding experience for our relationship that had been somewhat distant from time constraints, careers, and my marriage. This was something that the two of us could do together and we did often. My favorite racetrack was (and is) Santa Anita, something about the walking ring, the architecture, and the backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains always made me feel like I was at 'Home'. I don't know another way to express it.



In 2003, I attended with my Mom the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Something about that day, made me dream a bigger dream for myself, and I remember saying out loud while starring into the paddock "someday I want to be part of that world". I remember my Mom chuckled and said that this wasn't ever going to happen. I am sure she wasn't laughing at my dream (well she probably was), but the fact that we were not from a racing family, had not the means for a race horse, or any friends in racing how could that come true?.



The following year I began sponsoring an ex-racehorse named Remote Controller at CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation), and volunteered to assist them with their fundraising including the painting of "art pieces" with famous race horses. At one of the annual golf tournaments I met my good friend, Denise. The first big horse that I painted with on my own for CERF was Lava Man, this was set up through the connection and friendship of Denise, who introduced me to Doug O'Neill. My dream was taking shape in ways I couldn't have begun to have imagined in 2003. I am blessed that my dream is renewed daily.

The PA announcement of "Five minutes before show time, please take your seat", returned my mind to the present. "How"?, I knew the answer thanking War Emblem, Remote Controller, and Denise in my heart.









Thursday, January 21, 2010

An Open Letter Regarding--- "The Second Race"



Ex-Race Horse, Tissy Fit, earner of $ 230,000 adopted out by The Second Race, relaxing in his forever home. Photo: Kim Ruzich



The Second Race was formed to assist in the placement of ex-race horses and those bred to race in adoptive homes after their racing careers have ended.


The reason for the ending of the career does not matter to The Second Race, only that the horse has a soft place to land, a chance at rehab, training for a new career, or the ability to lie in the sun all day long as Tissy Fit does here. In the short existence of The Second Race, several horses have successfully made a transition off the track by their former owners with varying levels of assistance provided by our services.


This Open Letter will serve as a one time explanation, in print and out to the virtual universe of the services that are provided by The Second Race, who we are, and what we do. The hope of the Open Letter, is to clarify our purpose in a very open forum.


The Second Race chose a niche for itself in assisting current owners, trainers, lay up farms, breeders and others associated with racing to help find homes for horses. The Second Race in doing so hopes to protect a owners wish that a good home is found for their horse after it's career is over and not to find itself in harms way. The Second Race is contacted about an available horse, information is shared about the horse, pictures taken and the process begins to assist the legal owner (or authorized agent) of the horse. At any time during this process a horse can be given away by the very people that have asked The Second Race to help. So far, this has happened about 35 percent of the time. The owner is in fact the legal guardian of the horse, and has the right to do whatever they want with the horse including no longer asking The Second Race to assist by placing the horse on their own. There is not a Broker contract between The Second Race and the person requesting our assistance to find a home, nor is their a fee associated at any time with finding a home for a horse.


The Second Race chose as part of it's business plan to use social media as an effective tool to network for the horses. Using the Internet has it's advantages and disadvantages, however the advantages (being the sheer numbers of individuals that can be reached at once) makes it a powerful resource. The Internet is just that an entity, it is nothing without people behind it. For the most part The Second Race has been blessed to find outstanding individuals to assist in placement and support of the horses. There is inherent risk involved with dealing over the Internet and not meeting everyone face to face. Because the Internet and our marketing efforts literally reach around the world, there is no way to 100 percent guarantee that the person who presents themselves in a manner, is in fact who they are. Character is character and that can't be measured but by experiences, over time. The Second Race is developing it's public character and finds itself in a position for the first time in defending its practices. Hence our perceived need for this Open Letter to the public.

Once a horse and a potential adopter are found, The Second Race provides an adoption application for completion by the person/group willing to adopt the horse. A vetting of the person is performed including calling references (personal, professional, and current veterinarian), Google Searches are performed, review of websites associated with the person if applicable, pictures of where the horse will be going to (if not local), among other considerations taken into account to determine if the adopter is a good match. An application fee is not charged.


If The Second Race determines from the information that it has gathered, that there is a suitable future home for the horse, the current owner (or authorized agent for the horse) is notified. The owner is given the information and makes the determination if additional information is required, if a phone call or email exchange between the two parties is requested etc. The Second Race always allows the current guardian of the horse to make the final determination that the horse is going to be adopted by the person applying for adoption. If it's a go, the adopter is sent an Adoption Agreement which outlines several itemized statements that are individually signed off on; including that the horse will not be sold, will not be raced, will not be bred unless arrangements or exceptions have been made prior to the signing of the agreement. The Second Race asks for a first right of refusal should a horse find itself in need of a home after the adoption has taken place. The Second Race provides for a fourteen day "out" where the adopter can return the horse to The Second Race. Again, an adoption fee is never charged. In fact often times The Second Race is able to secure transportation that the adopter does not have to pay for, truly making the advertisement of a free horse, a free horse.


Once the Adoption Agreement is signed, the horse transported and safely at the adopters, The Second Race has successfully done what it states in it's Mission, which is to successfully network for a placement of an ex-racer to a new home. The adopter legally obtains the horse using The Second Race as a conduit.


There are two other situations in which The Second Race will be involved in homing a horse. That is when a home is not successfully found in a time period and a horse has to move off the race track, a lay up farm or another situation fraught with a time frame, The Second Race may choose to take in that horse as foster stalls and monies are available to assist that particular horse. The Second Race will require a Surrender Agreement and will take ownership of the horse. These horses will continue to have networking done on them. At this present time The Second Race is not requiring an adoption fee, or a donation once they are adopted. These practices for our Foster Horses (The Second Race does not have its own property at this time, but is the legal guardian of the horse) may change in the near future; when our non profit status is established.


The last situation is when funds are available to assist an established rescue group in removing an ex-race horse, or broodmare from an auction lot bound for slaughter. We have successfully helped to remove horses in this manner, and as early as today another ex-racer was purchased in partnership.


The Second Race will continue on its mission and will not waver. This business, is just that a business not an idle past time or hobby. Decisions are made in a business like manner to the best of our abilities. Emotions can run high and at times; despite our best efforts to be transparent, someone or something will try and derail these efforts. Its part of business. Any store owner knows that they can post a sign "We Reserve The Right To Deny Service", there will be times when The Second Race will have to post that same sign in the best interests of the horse. These decisions will make The Second Race unpopular at times, it's okay, we can handle it.


What we do could present the opportunity for ridicule, slander and attacks, its the nature of the business. But for any "bad" that may come our way there are many more of bliss like this one below, and that far outweighs the inconvenience of having to post an Open Letter to dissuade any doubts about The Second Race, Sharla Sanders and those associated with us, and one person's attempt at libelous intentions.

I'vefigureditout, "Figgy", bonding with his foster, after three days in his new home.
Respectfully Submitted,
Open Letter Signed 1/21/2010 by Founder, Sharla Sanders

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

CANTER opens a Kentucky Chapter

Photo by John Chun

Since 1997 CANTER (the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) has successfully networked to transition ex-race horses into new homes or careers, by listing available horses on their websites.


Kentucky is the latest chapter added to the growing organization. Chapters are currently in California (Northern and Southern chapters), Illinois, Michigan (the founding chapter), Pennsylvania, Ohio, New England and Mid-Atlantic.


Volunteers go to the backsides of the tracks through the shed rows offering their free services to list, photograph and post listings on the affiliate websites. The horses are offered for sale by the trainers/owners starting at $ 600.


Horses for sale in Kentucky will be listed on the chapter's site http://www.canterusa.org/kentucky
CANTER a 501 (c) (3) organization boasts transitioning 10,000 horses from racing since it's inception in 1997. To find out more about CANTER and it's work nationally go to http://www.canterusa.org


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