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TRF, NYRA To Unveil Memorial Marker For Quick Call On July 14

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) will partner with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) to unveil a memorial marker for popular racehorse Quick Call at Clare Court on Wednesday, July 14 at 11:30 a.m.

The unveiling will include a photo opportunity and brief remarks from NYRA leadership, TRF Executive Director and leadership from the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NY DOCCS). In addition to the current and former TRF Second Chances Farm Manager and Instructors, the current Superintendent of Wallkill and two retired Superintendents will be in attendance with other special invited guests.

Quick Call was humanely euthanized on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the age of 35 due to the infirmities of old age. Foaled in 1984, Quick Call was the oldest horse in TRF's herd. In his lifetime he was a successful racehorse who earned more than $800,000 and won numerous graded stakes races. Following a remarkable career on the racetrack, he became a riding horse and finally arrived at the TRF in 2001 where he was an equine teacher in the TRF's well known Second Chances Program. He was truly an exceptional horse and served as a shining example of the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed. With 86 starts under his belt, he was a warhorse with a brave, strong heart and mind. He became a “posterhorse” for aftercare, serving as an ambassador for all retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Immediately following the unveiling, fans and media are invited to join the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill, located at 9 Gridley Street, for a pop-up fan engagement station to share memories and to learn more about Quick Call and TRF's Second Chances program. From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, fans can celebrate Quick Call and for a suggested $10 donation will receive a limited-edition Quick Call wristband, a copy of his lifetime past performances and a photo at the “Horse for the Course” selfie station.

About TRF: Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides lifelong sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime.

Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison. The TRF Second Chances Program at the Wallkill Correctional Facility provides a home for 40 retired Thoroughbred racehorses and has been changing the lives of returning citizens for nearly forty years.

For more information visit: http://www.trfinc.org/

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Waiting For A Cool Down In A Hot Horse Market?

The horse market, like the housing market, has been wild lately, with horses being bought sight unseen for thousands more than the asking price. Many sellers can't keep enough equine inventory to satisfy the current need.

It's been nearly two decades since amateur rider Tracy Gould horse shopped, she wrote in a recent column for the Chronicle of the Horse. In the 2000s, it wasn't unusual for horses to go out on two-week trials or to find a plethora of horses for sale under $5,000 – specifically retired racehorses.

Now, green horses –including OTTBs — are being sold without trials and horses are selling on social media platforms within days of being posted. Gold writes she doesn't need anything fancy, but she does want a horse that could do a little bit of everything, especially as her daughter grows up and hopefully begins riding. She's reluctant to buy anything without the ability to test ride and see if they “click.”

Gold hypothesizes that the horse market is being driven by the meteoric rise in people taking riding lessons since the COVID-19 pandemic hit: kids began taking riding lessons as their team sports and indoor activities were cancelled, and it's easy to social distance while riding outside. Additionally, the stock market is booming, allowing even non-wealthy families the ability to afford horses, and many people are either working remotely or have moved away from the city, allowing them more access to horses and lessons.

As people return to in-person work schedules and schools, Gold wonders if it's possible the market may cool off. Still, most people in the business of selling OTTBs will tell you that day hasn't arrived yet.

Read more at the Chronicle of the Horse.

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Study: 73 Percent Of Horse Owners Are Keeping Therapies Secret From Their Veterinarians

Horse owners are often interested in trying any modality or fad they feel may help their horse, even if it falls outside the realm of “traditional” Western medicine. Dubbed “complementary” therapies, these can include things like massages, herbs and supplements, and more – and many of them require no veterinarian oversight to administer.

However, owners are not always upfront with their horse's primary veterinarian about the other things they're trying on their horses, even if they don't expect pushback, reports The Horse. This withholding of information can be detrimental to horse health, says Dr. Annelies Decloedt of Ghent University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgium.

Decloedt and a team of researchers surveyed 1,532 Belgian horse owners and found that a quarter of survey respondents who used complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) did not tell their veterinarian what other therapies they were using. Some CAVM treatments have not been scientifically studied and might make traditional medicine less effective, may lead to unintended side effects or may mask signs and symptoms, preventing vets from finding an accurate diagnosis, Decloedt said.

It's imperative that horse owners share what other modalities they are using on their horses, especially when the CAVM will be combined with conventional therapies. The survey found that nearly 73 percent of respondents had used CAVM on their horses. Of those, only 75 percent had told their vets about those therapies. This could become an equine welfare issue if the CAVM interferes with traditional medical treatments or if owners try CAVM before calling a licensed vet, who can oversee other care the horse is receiving.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Farms Accredited By Global Federation Of Animal Sanctuaries

The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations, has awarded Accredited status to seven additional farms of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. These new accreditations come less than 8 months after the TRF received the recognition for two of its farms in Florida and Virginia. The newly accredited farms include Blackburn Second Chances, Chestnut Hall and Nash Sanctuary Farms in Kentucky, Vandalia Second Chances in Illinois, and Wateree Second Chances, as well as Wheeler and Lowder Sanctuary farms in South Carolina.

The TRF will seek accreditation for all of the remaining farms over the next year.

Accreditation signifies that Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's additional seven facilities meet GFAS's rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards which are confirmed by comprehensive site visits. Accreditation also signifies adherence to standards addressing the sustainability of the organization, ethical principles, finances, staffing, education outreach, security and safety and other operational aspects. The Accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and grantors to recognize that these facilities of TRF are exceptional organizations.

“We continue to be proud to announce the Accreditation of these additional seven facilities of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Second Chances Programs and Sanctuary Farms,” said Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., GFAS Program Director-Equine. “The mission of TRF is to help Thoroughbred horses that are no longer able to compete at racetracks. The TRF herd of nearly 500 horses resides in two types of facilities/programs. The Second Chances Programs are located at correctional facilities where inmates participate in vocational training in equine care and stable management. For those horses not suited for the Second Chances programs or adoption because of health care requirements, they are provided quality lifetime sanctuary at one of the Sanctuary Farms. In addition to providing excellent care to the horses, TRF is committed to management best practices and thoughtful strategic planning ensuring sustainability for future years.”

“We are so grateful to GFAS for working side by side with the TRF to achieve our goal of having all TRF farms accredited and ensuring that we are meeting the highest standards of care and best practices” said Pat Stickney, Executive Director. “We are committed to providing a happy, safe and healthy environment for the nearly 500 Thoroughbreds under our care”.

The GFAS Standards of Excellence were initially developed and reviewed with the input of animal services officers, non-profit professionals, sanctuary managers, animal protection advocates, and veterinarians utilizing existing standards from outstanding sanctuaries as a starting framework and refined/expanded upon based on knowledge and expertise of contributors.

The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization's work in a collaborative manner. While the board includes those in top leadership at The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime. Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At six correctional facilities across the country this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for inmates upon release from prison.

TRF cares for more than 500 rescued and retired Thoroughbreds at TRF Second Chances prison farms and Sanctuary Farms across the country. The organization is funded entirely by private donations. The TRF is accredited by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and has a Platinum rating with Guide Star. For more information visit: http://www.trfinc.org/

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