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Old Friends Launches ‘Memory Lane – Brick By Brick’ Fundraising Campaign

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility based in Georgetown, KY., today launched its “Memory Lane – Brick by Brick” fundraising campaign.

Now supporters of the non-profit organization can claim a spot in Old Friends's Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden with a custom paver honoring a loved one, a legendary horse, a lost pet, a business, or other.

Fans can contribute to Memory Lane by choosing one of two-sized bricks customized with colors, graphics, and text to create an elegant and permanent legacy.

Paddock Level pavers measure 4” x 8” and are available for $125.00
Winner's Circle Level pavers measure 8” x 8” and are available for $225.00.

Donors can customize their bricks with personal text and choose from a variety of brick colors and available graphics. Business logos can also be uploaded.

Bricks will be laid to form a path in the Old Friends Memorial Garden/Champion's Cemetery, which is located adjacent to the farm's Visitor Center. Here, great horses such as Kentucky Derby Winners War Emblem and Charismatic, Breeders' Cup Classic Winner Awesome Again, and Champions Hidden Lake, Noor, and Bint Marscay (AUS) have been laid to rest. The courtyard will be open to visitors.

Memory Lane bricks are available now and can be ordered via thatsmybrick.com—Just CLICK HERE to access order page and follow the step-by-step instructions for customizing.

Installation of the Memory Lane-Brick by Brick garden is expected to begin in June of 2021.

The Old Friends Memorial Garden is named after the late Nikki Bacharach, daughter of actress Angie Dickinson and composer Burt Bacharach, both long-time supporters of the farm.

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Hats Off To The Horses: Patch Chapeau Up For Auction To Benefit Old Friends

For the 12th consecutive year, Maggie Mae Designs® and Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement have teamed up for an unparalleled online shopping experience: “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”.

This unique fundraiser features one-of-a-kind couture hats created by Maggie Mae Designs®, the sale of which benefits Old Friends.

The third hat up for bid in our 2021 auction series honors Patch, the son of Union rags out of the A. P. Indy mare Windyindy. Patch was donated to the non-profit organization by owner Calumet farm following a three-season racing career.

Bidding in this online auction will be available through March 11, 8:00 pm (EST). To bid, CLICK HERE

A 30-1 longshot in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, Patch became the season's feel-good story after it was revealed that he had lost his left eye as a 2-year-old but overcame his adversity to make it to the Churchill Downs starting gate on the First Saturday in May. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Tyler Gafflione, Patch eventually finished 14th in that race behind winner Always Dreaming.

To celebrate Patch's fan-favorite status in the Derby, a large, sumptuous rose curl, created with swirling layers of red silk organza, became the centerpiece. Gold silk was then folded in several layers for the sash and hand stitched to encircle the crown of the hat. The lining, meanwhile, was made with lively black and white polka dot satin to reflect Patch's playful and kind personality.

As a physical remembrance of Patch, several strands of his tail hair were braided and woven into the trim of the hat, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau that captures Patch not only in spirit but in substance as well.

Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can been seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com

Bidding is open now. To bid CLICK HERE

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Research Update: The Effect Of Different Riding Crops On Force Exertion

Riding crops and whips are often used as a training or communication aid between horse and rider. In the racing industry, the employment of riding crops and whips is regulated to prevent overuse or misuse. A recent study by the New York Institute of Technology evaluated differences in force between crops with flat leather poppers and soft, padded poppers.

Two flat nylon thread leather poppers and one circular, foam-padded popper were evaluated with crop rods that varied in flexibility. Each crop was secured above a flat target plate, bent upward reaching its limit, and released. Force upon impact to the plate was measured and recorded by a digital scale. The face and side of the flat leather poppers were tested. This procedure was then repeated 30 times per crop.

Researchers found that the force exerted by the individual popper depended on the flexibility of the crop's rod. Therefore, the circular, foam-padded crop could exert more or less force than the flat leather popper depending on the material of the rod. As a result, selecting a crop based on the type of popper is not sufficient when attempting to minimize potential force to the horse. While this study is not a complete representation of crop use during riding, these findings provide useful insight to factors that can influence force from riding crops.

For more information read the abstract in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Sciences.

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Monkey See, Monkey Do: Will A Foal Mimic A Mare’s Neurologic Behavior?

Foals often mimic the behavior of their dams, copycatting everything from grazing to running to rolling and more. But what happens when a foal is born to a mare that has neurologic issues? Will it mimic the odd behaviors?

The staff at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center has cared for many foals born to neurologically compromised mares, said Dr. Rodney Belgrave. Often the mares are afflicted with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Belgrave says he has not seen foals mimic the neurological signs their mothers exhibit.

However, foals can be born infected with organisms that cause neurologic disease. One of the organisms that causes EPM can be transmitted to the fetus from the placenta. However, infected foals may not demonstrate neurological signs until they are three months old.

Foals can also be born with equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) that is contracted from the dam, but many don't show neurologic signs of this disease, either.

The most common cause of neurologic disease in foals is neonatal encephalopathy, which occurs when the fetus is deprived of oxygen. This can be caused by a bacterial infection called placentitis or by a difficult birthing process. Affected foals often don't develop neurologic signs until 18 to 24 hours after birth.

In both cases, the lack of oxygen leads to fluid build up in brain tissue. Though alarming, the prognosis for neonatal encephalopathy is very good if the foals are treated early and appropriately.