A Conscious Decision to Do the Right Thing

"I am a great champion
when I ran, the ground shook
the sky opened
and mere mortals parted
... parted the way to victory
and I met my owner in the winners circle
where he put a blanket of flowers on my back" (from the movie, Dreamer)

How many of us have had the thrill of being in the Winners Circle? Whether your horse is the favorite or a 55-1 long shot, nothing matches the thrill of winning! Your horse, your time to celebrate! The excitement is the same for the millionaires and the syndicate that has 25 people buying into a $ 15,000 claimer, its the victory that we remember most.

But after the excitement, the back slaps and the high fives, the horse that brought the victory goes back to its barn and may or may not ever win again.

When that happens, what happens?

That choice is equally the responsibility of the owner and trainer. Both work in tandem to ready the horse for its race, and both should be responsible in ensuring that when the horse can no longer perform, that it finds a responsible, safe vehicle for retirement.

Becoming involved in horse racing is a choice for every person that participates in it, only the horse bred to race doesn't have a choice in the matter. That doesn't mean that they don't want to run, that's an argument for another day (and one that we won't debate--as we know that horses are bred for and love to run). The choice is made (based on his or her abilities) to become a race horse. If a human can make the decision to consciously breed the horse, break the horse, train the horse and race the horse. Then that same conscious decision should be made to provide a retirement for that horse after it can no longer race.

A race horse is a created, dependant animal for our pleasure and entertainment. Only education and the truth provided by the race track industry will ensure that owners (including new and prospective) and trainers employed by the owners understand their responsibility to their investment....when the finish line is no longer an option.

To learn the process of surrendering a horse to The Second Race or for our assistance in networking to help place a horse go to our website page http://www.thesecondrace.com/servicesprovided.htm

Facing Foreclosure or a Forced Move--- Don't Leave Your Horse Behind

Cashasgoodasmoney was not left behind, but adopted out by The Second Race, and is used as a model only for this article.

Times are tough for most. This is not a news story, all or most of us have had to scale back, cut back and down size. For some, it's been even harder than making some adjustments in finances or spending, and they have lost their homes. If you or someone you know is facing a similar fate and a forced moved, please do right by all your animals/pets and make a provision for them; including your horses.

When you brought home your horse, you made a commitment to keep him or her with you, through thick or thin. And your horse in return has made that same commitment to you. Your horse has loved you through the ups and downs of life.

So if you have to move or vacate your home or farm your horse (and other animals in residence) will not survive if abandoned or set loose.

How do you help yourself and your horse(s) through this difficult time? Make a Plan. If you are in trouble and facing foreclosure, start as early as possible to look for a new place to live where you can keep your horse. Not all areas are zoned for equines, so you may have to spend some time finding a place. It's better to make sound decisions in difficult times, if you allow some pre-planning and not emotional decisions with respect to your animals.

Find a Horse friendly place in your town or surrounding area by checking at your boarding stable, feed store, friends and associates, local phone book, or on line. Google is your friend. Speak up, let those you trust know of your situation. People in general want to help. Now more than ever, I believe there are people who understand your situation and we collectively have a better sense of community. Pride will not help you when you are forced on your last day to move and you haven't made any provisions for your horse friend.

If you can't take your horse with you, find them a safe place to stay on a temporary basis. When choosing a temporary place to house your horse, consider asking your veterinarian or farrier for references. They travel throughout your city, county and may know someone that can help. Ask your local boarding facilities if they will set a payment plan with you for boarding costs, while you relocate. Its easier to find a place to keep your male horse if he is not intact, so consider castrating him as soon as possible. There are low cost gelding services/vouchers in many states that can help with the cost. Look for breed specific associations to help you. The Second Race, will help too. Consider contacting us at thesecondrace@gmail.com to network on your behalf to adopt out your off the track ex-race horse, or those bred to race.

The networking of Facebook and other social media has exploded in the past year, and there may be a Facebook group that can help. Always check references, do your research and don't just hand over your horse to anyone without knowing to the best of your ability who that person is. Especially if you haven't met them previously and only know them online. For smaller animals there is a group of real estate agents that have formed an online resource with lists of rescues that will take in your pet; perhaps those that deal with farms, ranches have a similar list. Contact your local real estate representatives.

A word of caution in advertising your horse for "Free" on Craigslist. Kill buyers and those that broker horses to auction lots, comb through free listings. Don't hand over your horse to the first person that shows up with a trailer. Investigate who the person is. If they are legitimate, they will understand. Don't be surprised if you advertise your horse is free, that concerned strangers will contact you to offer you another resort to place your horse. There are just as many people watching the Craigslist offerings, to protect your horse.

If you can't find a temporary home, contact rescue groups. There are literally thousands of rescue/sanctuaries throughout the United States. Again Google is your friend. When searching, look for rescue organizations where you can surrender ownership of your horse (and other animals) which do not euthanize adoptable animals. This will provide you with peace of mind, during a difficult time. Some organizations will house your horse for a short time (perhaps 60 days) before the group takes ownership of your animal, allowing you an opportunity to be reunited with your equine friend. If you do not reclaim your pet in the prescribed time, you horse may be up for adoption and you forfeit the ability to re-home him. Always ask about your options when contacting a rescue. Visit the temporary home in advance of your placement. Go a couple times, perhaps unannounced to see if there is consistency in the care of the animals already on the property. Make sure the person is not hoarding animals. Go with your instincts, again much easier to do when you have some time to prepare.

If there is no other recourse you may have to consider putting your beloved horse down. This is a decision that is fraught with emotion and can only be decided by you the pet's owner. However, the decision to lovingly let your animal pass as opposed to starving or being abandoned to an unknown fate, honors the commitment you made and the unconditional love the pet has shown you. There are low cost euthanasia clinics throughout the United States and it may take some hunting around to find an option. The Unwanted Horse Coalition is a proponent of this choice and may have some resources available to explore.

Ultimately, your pet and horse depend on you. You may not have chosen your fate, lost your job on purpose, or knew that our country would go through the worse recession in history when you brought your pet into your life, but he or she is here now and going through whatever you are.

Making the best decisions for you and your horse will help to ensure that your friend is safe. By following these simple suggestions, you and your family will have a better future.

Loading Up Trusting Hearts

(Photo of Delta Storm, 2009 Breeders Cup Sprint, by John Chun)

This morning while assisting the groom in loading Delta Storm into a small two horse trailer, it occurred to me how trusting these athletes are. They are certainly used to trailering from one racetrack to another, and you hope that they will load easily. Of course, most times they are in large vans with several other horses, not a small trailer that must look oddly like a starting gate space.

This was the third horse in as many days that we have loaded onto a small trailer for their new adventure in life. And it got me to thinking how incredibly trusting race horses are. They go from person to person, not a question as to what will happen next, just assuming someone will take care of them at 4 a.m. or 4 p.m.. I felt wistful and a bit melancholy about the horses that load up not really knowing where they are going to next, but assuming at the end of the ride, someone is there to care for them. It's really all they know.

And I thought too of the tremendous responsibility The Second Race and hundreds of other groups and individuals place upon themselves to protect the horses after their racing days are over. To be sure its a daunting task day in and day out, but as I pinched Delta Storm's leg so he would bend it and I could place it on the step up trailer and help him steady himself as he walked on the trailer, it all seemed worth the trust his heart was putting in me at that moment.

I hope he and the others this week will be happy in their new lives.

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

Interested in Setting Up a Non Profit Rescue? A Resource to Help

(photo by The Second Race, two residents of GEVA in Northern California)
Before I started The Second Race and went out on my own to rescue/retire ex-racehorses, I served on two boards of California based rescues. I learned from those that started their own, how difficult and the amount of work it takes to successfully get them up off the ground. I volunteer presently for CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation) and see 25 years of experience in running a well organized and funded operation. Whether you are just contemplating a non profit, struggle each day to make it work, or have a relatively well known and funded group. It's a lot of work. Often folks go into rescue with the thought that they have a pasture area, pipe stalls and a willing heart, however many well intentioned (and some not so much) find it's not "easy" to open up a rescue facility for horses.

The Second Race does have it on the business plan to open it's own facility within five years. So I am learning and gathering resources all the time. I have discovered that the AAEP has put together a manual as a guide for those that would like to responsibly consider the creation of an equine rescue.
The introduction page from the manual reads:

In order to provide guidance to non-veterinarians at equine rescue and retirement
facilities regarding the care of a horse throughout its life, the AAEP has developed
the following care guidelines. Rescue and retirement facilities play a vital role in
providing lifelong care and/or finding new owners for horses that may be considered
“unwanted” or have been subjected to neglect or abuse. The AAEP recognizes and
commends the important services these facilities provide to the horses and individuals who benefit from their work. While many principles of basic horse care and management apply to all horses, regardless of their situation, those horses entering rescue or retirement facilities may arrive with unique health challenges. For this reason, employees and volunteers should be experienced in basic horse care and understand the health conditions that require medical attention from a veterinarian. Equine veterinarians play an important role in the care of the animals at rescue and retirement facilities and can offer valuable advice on many aspects of horse care. It is important that facilities establish a good relationship with an equine veterinarian. The guidelines presented in this manual are for informational use only and are not considered to be legally binding. Because appropriate horse care practices vary due to climate, region, use and many other factors, the guidelines are intentionally broad.

To read more or to download the manual here is the link:

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/rescue_retirement_guidelines.pdf