After The Race

Thoroughbreds are bred to race. But what happens to a Thoroughbred once his or her racing career is over? Some go on to successful breeding careers, but the ones who are able to do that are few and far between. Most colts are gelded, so that career option is closed to them. For those chosen for a career in breeding, a stallion can be bred multiple times in a year. A mare can only produce one foal per year. There's no guarantee in either case that the foal will live up to the sire or dam's reputation.

But what fate awaits the geldings, as well as the stallions and mares not used for breeding? Do they live a life of ease on their owners' farms? The answer is almost always no. Most owners can't afford to keep a retired horse. Sadly, some of them end up on dinner tables in countries where there is no cultural bias against eating horses. Aside from the moral question of consumption of horsemeat, medications given to horses in the U.S. are dangerous - some are even carcinogenic - when it comes to the human food chain. Others become victims of abuse or neglect.

For some, there is a brighter future. They are taken in by Thoroughbred rescue organizations, trained for a new career and offered for adoption.

Maker's Mark Secretariat Center, inside the Lexington Horse Park in Lexington, KY, has as its mission to train retired Thoroughbreds for other disciplines. When a horse arrives, it's evaluated by a team that includes a dentist, farrier, vet and nutrition specialist. They start training the horse with ground work, then follow with introductions to events such as dressage, jumping and trail riding, to name only three. Their goal is to match the right horse with the right new discipline and the right new owner.

There are several other organizations that work to help retired Thoroughbreds find new jobs and new homes. Horse Illustrated Magazine did a five-part series on the adoption of retired Thoroughbreds  and each issue included more information. Four had information about adoption resources and one had brief summaries on books about retired Thoroughbreds.
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-training/off-track-thoroughbred-resources.aspx

Yes, I know people are more important than horses. It's more important to use money to help people who are suffering. But for those who have the resources to do both, it's good to help horses as well. After all, you can't take your money - or anything else, for that  matter - with you when you go. "I ain't ever seen a hearse with a luggage rack."