Tag: Horse Care

More than a year after he was the subject of a cruelty investigation in Delaware, Food And Wine is moving onwards and upwards.

The 5-year-old gelding was listed as available for adoption late last week by the MidAtlantic Horse Rescue and as of Nov. 14 already had his status change to “pending.”

According to the organization, he has been “foot perfect” in his return to work, and has learned to stand for the mounting block and can walk/trot/canter under saddle.

Food and Wine crossed the finish line first in his last start on June 2, 2021 but walked out of the Delaware Park winner's circle lame and was put on the veterinarian's list. He was subsequently disqualified from that victory after post-race testing came back positive for methocarbamol.

After he was put on the list, owner Jose Luis Rosales and trainer Linda Lee Manchio were informed by a private veterinarian the horse had a 50 percent tear in one of his tendons that would take eight months of rest to heal. Instead, his connections put him back in training, posting a three-furlong work on Sept. 25.

Read our previous reporting on this case here.

Rosales contacted regulatory veterinarians requesting they observe a timed workout scheduled for Oct. 3 in order to get the horse off the vet's list. He pulled up from that work lame and regulators later discovered the horse received dexamethasone on Sept. 27 and 28 and Naquasone on Sept. 27 ahead of the work.

Both Manchio and Rosales were fined $2,500 and suspended 30 days. Neither has had a starter in 2022.

Beverly Strauss, executive director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, estimates the horse's rehabilitation cost close to $5,000, which was supported in part by a fundraiser by Chef's Expressions at the Manor Tavern in Monkton, Md.

Food and Wine's old bow is still visible but is cold and tight, and he is considered suitable for most disciplines. He is eligible for the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover.

The post More Than A Year After Cruelty Case, Retired Delaware Runner Is Up For Adoption appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Galloping Out, the organization dedicated to finding permanent and loving homes for Thoroughbred horses retired from Chicagoland racing, has again earned prestigious and national recognition.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, based in Lexington, Ky., announced it has reaccredited Galloping Out as an aftercare organization in full compliance with the TAA's code of standards. This recognition of Galloping Out, which follows a rigorous review of its practices and facilities, enhances Galloping Out's profile within the national thoroughbred community and also helps position the program to potentially receive grant funding from the TAA.

“These equine athletes served us well on the track, and we strive to ensure they arrive in caring and supportive new homes,” said Chris Block, President of Galloping Out. “This reaccreditation is a testament to the hard work of Galloping Out staff and volunteers, as well as all the participating farms, to do the right thing by retired racehorses.”

Illinois horsemen are committed to re-homing horses when they retire from racing. The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which represents horse owners and trainers at Hawthorne Race Course, launched Galloping Out in 2010 so that retired Thoroughbred horses have a chance to enjoy productive and rewarding lives. The program, funded by horsemen's contributions and through donations from generous supporters, provides for the care, rehabilitation and retraining of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Galloping Out has located new homes — most of them in Illinois — for nearly 300 horses retired from racing at Hawthorne and, previously, Arlington Park. They become family horses or spend their days trail riding or jumping. They do dressage, play polo, and work with children with developmental disabilities. One has appeared in a military parade and another starred in a TV commercial.

The horses live near such Illinois communities as Fulton, Galena, Harvard, Machesney Park, Mendota, Plano, Rockford, Sleepy Hollow and Yorkville. They also have found new homes in other states including Florida, Georgia and Montana. Galloping Out partners with farms in Woodstock, Elgin, Spring Grove, Caledonia, Kankakee and Edwardsville to host, retrain and rehabilitate the horses during their transition from track to permanent home.

As part of its evaluation process, the TAA inspected sites affiliated with Galloping Out. The TAA, the only accrediting organization in Thoroughbred aftercare, boasts a network of 82 accredited organizations, operating at more than 180 facilities across the United States and Canada.

In addition to its core responsibility of re-homing retired horses, Galloping Out also has expanded its efforts in the horse community's show circuit. The program has sponsored all-Thoroughbred classes and has rewarded top-placing Thoroughbreds by awarding ribbons and prize money at shows.

Block, who also serves as ITHA president, commended Galloping Out coordinator Jan Ely, the program's Board of Directors, and participating farms for their exceptional commitment to re-homing Illinois thoroughbred horses. Aside from Block, the program directors include Donna Becker, Michele Boyce, Mickey Goldfine, Steve Holland and Neil Pessin.

“Retraining the horses and preparing them for new careers takes time and dedication,” Block said. “We're proud of the program's success and grateful for all the ongoing support from Illinois thoroughbred owners and trainers.”

The post ‘Proud Of The Program’s Success’: Galloping Out Record Includes Rehoming Of 300 Chicagoland Thoroughbreds appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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A fixture at Del Mar for the past two decades is missing this fall. Lava Man has been retired for a second time, leaving behind an illustrious career and a giant sentimental void in the Doug O'Neill barn.

He was arguably the most popular “pony” in horse racing, outside of big Harley at Churchill Downs. The 21-year old Lava Man posted an impressive resume during a racing career that spanned seven years, followed by a career as the lead pony in the O'Neill stable, a position he held until last Saturday when, after leading Hot Rod Charlie to the gate in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), he was officially retired. Tuesday he arrived at Old Friends Farm near Georgetown, Kentucky where he will live out his days.

Lava Man is no stranger to Del Mar patrons, having raced here from 2005 to 2008, winning the Pacific Classic (G1) in 2006. That year the California-bred son of Slew City Slew won seven straight races, five of them graded stakes and four of those Grade 1s. He also became the first horse to win California's three major races in the handicap division in the same calendar year: the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), the Pacific Classic and the Goodwood Handicap (G1), now called the Awesome Again.

By the time Lava Man retired, he had amassed over $5.2 million in earnings and is arguably the best Cal-bred that ever raced. This from a horse that once ran in a $12,000 maiden-claiming race at the San Joaquin County Fair. O'Neill claimed him for owner Steve Kenly for $50,000, widely considered one of the best claims ever.

Lava Man would race for O'Neill for a little more than five years, from late 2004 through 2009, though he only raced once in that final year after which he was retired in January of 2010. Now, 12 years later, he's retired from a second successful career.

“For the last six months we've been talking,” O'Neill said. “We being Sabas Rivera, one of my assistants, who has been instrumental in his transformation from a great racehorse to a great pony.

“He's 21 now,” O'Neill continued. “He still has a lot of life, mentally strong as ever. We just thought it was time to let him enjoy his last few years. We thought it would be something if he could take Hot Rod Charlie to the post for the Breeders' Cup Classic and 'drop the mic', if you will.”

Next to the Cody's Wish story, Lava Man was one of the more sentimental moments of this year's Breeders' Cup, especially for his legion of fans.

“I'm just so grateful it all worked out,” O'Neill added. “I miss the big guy, but I'm just so happy he's at a great place.”

Lava Man was a pony in O'Neill's barn for 12 years and the process to get him there took a lot of work.

“He had to be retired from racing due to some physical issues,” O'Neill recalled. “He had just turned 9-years-old and he just didn't appear happy to be retired at that point, so we decided to bring him back as a pony. He turned out to be the best pony any barn could ever ask for.

“It's a lot of patience,” O'Neill said of the process of transforming a racehorse to a pony. “There's the big western saddle, a different bridle, just a different mindset. They're on a different diet. They're not on the high grain diet like the racehorses.

“Initially, he'd be out there chaperoning another horse and a worker would go by and he'd want to jump into it,” the trainer said. “So we had some mindset issues we had to tweak, but with Saba's patience and horsemanship he converted him into arguably one of the best ponies around.”

Not every racehorse is a candidate for being a pony in a racing stable.

“It takes a toughness and confidence,” O'Neill said. “You couldn't have a sensitive-minded racehorse do that job.

“As brilliant a racehorse as he was he was equally a brilliant pony and companion,” O'Neill said. “He was everybody's best friend around the barn. He's going to be very missed but never forgotten.”

The post ‘He Was Everybody’s Best Friend Around The Barn’: O’Neill Recalls Lava Man As 21-Year-Old Settles Into Retirement At Old Friends appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Thanks to Equine Guelph's incredible racing industry education partners, TheHorsePortal.ca will host three racing-exclusive short courses in the winter of 2023 – free for AGCO licensees and Standardbred Canada members!

“We are thrilled to once again offer these valuable short courses on the hot topics of lameness prevention, respiratory health and gut health to the racing industry,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph. “We are also thrilled to welcome back our wonderful industry ambassadors Ruleen Lilley and Renée Kierans.”

Trainers, grooms and owners will reap the benefits of learning the latest in equine healthcare through free access to three online courses developed by Equine Guelph to address industry-identified healthcare priorities in racehorses.

As Industry Ambassadors, Lilley and Kierans will represent the Standardbred and Thoroughbred sectors, respectively, as peer helpers in all three courses. They will be online to assist course participants, ask practical questions to industry experts on behalf of their sector and encourage lively, robust online discussions between students from the different racing sectors.

Ruleen Lilley, is a partner of Mac Lilley Farms, which boasts over 50 years in the business of breeding and racing Standardbreds. “This life has shown us struggles and thrills, and I wouldn't have chosen any different path,” says Lilley. “What a great learning experience the online courses have been, Lilley says about the first offerings. We are never too old to learn something new. I look forward to being your Standardbred Ambassador again.”

Renée Kierans, Thoroughbred Ambassador, has been involved in the horse racing industry for close to 40 years. She has worn many caps such as exercise rider, pony rider, outrider, starting gate crew, groom school instructor, trainer and owner. She worked for 12 years as an on-air broadcaster and handicapper for Woodbine and Mohawk, covering both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.  Kierans is excited for the second offerings on TheHorsePortal.ca and has this to say of her first experience, “The three online courses that I was involved in, as ambassador for the thoroughbreds, were all filled with valuable information that is “must have knowledge” if you're dealing with race horses.

Free racing-exclusive courses in 2023 include:

1. Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care (Jan 23 – Feb 3) – sponsored by Standardbred Canada
2. Racehorse Gut Health & Ulcer/Colic Prevention (Feb 27 – Mar 10) – sponsored by Standardbred Canada
3. Racehorse Respiratory Health (Mar 20 – 31) – sponsored by Central Ontario Standardbred Association

Standardbred Canada members sign up instructions: www.TheHorsePortal.ca/SC

AGCO licensees sign-up instructions: www.TheHorsePortal.ca/OR

COSA members sign up instructions: www.TheHorsePortal.ca/COSA

Read more here.

The post Equine Guelph Offers Three Free Online Racing Short Courses In 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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