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TAA Grants $3.8 Million To Accredited Organizations For 2023

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) has awarded over $3.8 million as grants to 86 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation for 2023. In total, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has now granted over $31.9 million earmarked specifically for equine care. These funds have been directed to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations, which, through their collective efforts, have successfully retrained, retired, and rehomed over 16,500 Thoroughbreds across approximately 180 facilities.

“Congratulations to the 86 accredited organizations for receiving grants from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance this year,” said TAA Accreditation and Grants Manager Janice Towles. “These organizations exemplify exceptional equine care, and we take great pride in supporting their efforts in retraining, retiring, and rehoming Thoroughbreds. As they persist in their tireless care for retired racehorses, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's essential funding serves as a valuable resource, helping them to carry out their important work.”

The post TAA Grants $3.8 Million To Accredited Organizations For 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Australian Wildlife Officials Propose Culling 10,000 Wild Horses; Some Scientists Prefer Total Elimination

Australian wildlife officials have proposed a plan to rehome or kill 10,000 wild horses in an attempt to limit their numbers. An aerial survey conducted in 2019 located 25,000 wild horses; many of these live in the alpine region of the country, which is home to many species of endangered flora and fauna.

The Kosciuszko National Park is under particular threat from the horses, which are considered to be an invasive species that cause extensive ecosystem damage. There are currently 14,000 wild horses in the park, and a plan drafted by National Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales suggests thinning the population to a more-sustainable 3,000 horses.

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Scientists from the Australian Academy of Science argue that this plan doesn't go far enough to protect the park from equine impact. They suggest that the number of wild horses be more significantly reduced, if not eliminated entirely.

Though wildlife officials prefer to rehome the wild horses, only 1,000 horses have been rehomed since 2002. The proposed plan will allow trained experts to shoot the horses from helicopters to thin the population.

Kentucky Humane Society Receives $60K Grant To Help Rehome Horses Through Two Unique Programs

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to launch an initiative to help owners find the ideal next homes for their horses. The goal is to reduce the number of horses ending up in the wrong hands.

For help rehoming your horse, contact the KHS Equine C.A.R.E. Program at 502-272-1068 or horses@kyhumane.org.

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“Most horses will go through multiple owners over the course of their long lifespans, and often the reason for rehoming them has nothing to do with the horse and everything to do with the changing lifestyles of their families. Owners age, kids grow up and families move, which means many horses will need new homes,” explains Lori Redmon, KHS President and CEO. “Owners want the best for their horses, but unfortunately, horses often fall through the cracks.”

Regardless of the reason, KHS' Horses Welcome Initiative wants to change this by helping owners find the best possible outlets for their horses. The initiative is composed of two programs:

Best Hoof Forward is for horse owners who plan to sell their horse and would like KHS to help them get the best possible price. When horses are sold for a higher price, they are less likely to end up in dangerous situations. Through Best Hoof Forward, owners bring their horse to KHS' Willow Hope Farm in Simpsonville, KY, for assessment; the KHS Equine team provides a professional riding and handling evaluation, takes attractive photos and videos that show the horse's best attributes, and recommends reputable sales outlets. Owners then use this information to better market their horses.

The Open Pastures program is for owners who prefer to surrender their horse to KHS. KHS will take in the horse, provide an assessment and offer placement through their adoption program or one of their trusted equine partner agencies. Often transportation can be provided within a certain radius of the farm. KHS can also help with euthanasia for horses that are deemed not adoptable due to age, temperament or medical issues.

“KHS continues to make great strides in improving equine welfare in Kentucky,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, Vice President of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “The ASPCA is proud to partner with KHS through The Right Horse Initiative, and we are pleased to support them in removing barriers for horse owners to access judgement-free support so they can further assist the horses in their community moving forward.”

Study: Australian Thoroughbreds Retired Sound Easier To Rehome

After a outcry of public concern regarding the fate of Thoroughbred racehorses when their racing careers were over, a study team was created to assess the incidence, risk factors and outcome for retiring racehorses in Australia.

Drs. Kylie Crawford, Anna Finnane, Ristan Greer, Clive Phillips, Solomon Woldeyohannes, Nigel Perkins and Benjamin Ahern investigated how many horses were retired from racing at the Brisbane Racing Club in Australia over a 13-month period. The team invited all license trainers at the track with three or more horses in work to participate: 27 of the 40 eligible trainers agreed to take part in the study.

It was determined that a median of 544 racehorses were in training each week, with 110 horses retired during the study; 56 of these horses were retired involuntarily because of things like musculoskeletal injuries, cardiac conditions, respiratory concerns or behavior issues. Of these problems, musculoskeletal issues were the most common, afflicting 40 of the 110 horses. The remaining horses were retired voluntarily.

The study team found that 108 of the 110 horses that were retired were repurposed–nearly 46 percent were used as performance horses in their next career. Two of the study horses could not be located. Horses that were retired without injury were 2.28 times more likely to find a performance-horse home.

At a 14-month follow up, it was discovered that four of the horses had been euthanized and one was sent to an abattoir after aggravating an old injury. No horses were euthanized or sent to the abattoir by their racing owner or trainer upon their retirement.

The team notes that long-term outcomes for the horses were not completed. They conclude there is insufficient control over the long-term welfare of retired racehorses.

Read the full study here.