Tabby Lane Gives Back

When you own and race horses, there is a certain responsibility you have to the animal.  There is a lot of debate as to who should be looking out for our ex-racers when their careers are over.  Some say the breeders while others task the owners.  While there are good arguments for both – as well as others - the bottom line is that right now not enough is being done to take care of our retired racehorses.

There is a good chance that those of us in the claiming game will have horses pass through our stables for only a few races but that doesn’t absolve us of responsibility to these athletes.  When we got together to claim a horse, I borrowed from Steve Zorn's Castle Village Farm a provision to set aside 1% of earnings to go to equine related charities.  In the past we have donated to the Don MacBeth Disabled Jockey’s Fund but this year we decided to stay local and changed focus to the equine.  This year the recipient of 1% of Tabby Lane’s earnings is the MinnesotaRetired Racehorse Project.

The 501(c)(3) charity was founded by Director Annie Ringwelski and Vice-President Dr. Jennifer Selvig, DVM, in 2009 to provide “rehabilitation, placement and promotion of retired racehorses.”  Since their inception, they have placed or helped facilitate placement of over 70 ex racehorses.  Horses that have gone through the MNRRP program are already excelling in cross country, barrel racing, dressage, polo and recreational riding.  The program is 100% volunteer and the majority of the expenses and daily operations are born by Ringwelski while Selvig lends her expertise to evaluating and treating, if necessary, entrants into the program to keep associated costs as low as possible.

Just yesterday morning I read a Facebook exchange that was heartbreaking:

Trainer: “Annie, we have a horse for you.”

Annie: “Can't take anymore right now until a few find homes. We are full with no funding.”

The trainer is a stand-up guy who is going to try and do right by the horse, but options are limited.  This isn’t a Minnesota issue, as many of your know.  This is an issue that is national in scope and organizations like the Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Neigh Savers, Illinois Equine Humane Center, New England Equine Rescues as well as MNRRP exist to fill this need.  The rest of us in the game need to support these organizations in any way we can.

“A bale of hay is $5,” says Ringwelski.  “No donation is too small and every bit of it goes to help the horses.”

MNRRP currently has 8 retired racehorses available for adoption or in various stages of rehabilitation. Demand for the program is so high that here is a waiting list for trainers and owners wanting their horses in the MNRRP program, which carefully screens potential adoptive homes.

"We have the room for them at our facility, we just don’t have the financial backing to support them,” said Ringwelski. “It breaks my heart to walk by an empty stall and know there is a horse in need out there."  

A noble cause with no funding is just a dream.  I’m hopeful that we in the industry can keep these groups living their dreams to help our ex-racers find long and useful lives beyond the racetrack.  Wherever you are, please support your local rescue.  Every little bit helps and it is our obligation.

As Annie said, no donation is too small.  If you'd like to donate please send a check to MNRRP C/O Annie Ringwelski, 3850 182nd St E, Prior Lake ,MN 55372.  The Project’s number is 612-384-6908.

When the Race is Over

Tonight on my Blog Talk Radio show we will be partially addressing what we can do to assist our equine athletes when their racing careers are over. My guests will be Darla Jeffrey and Leslie Morley of Standing in the Gap, a Minnesota based non-profit that assists in the rehabilitation and retraining of injured racehorses.

While the industry is getting closer to addressing this issue, there is still a lot that needs to be done. Much of what is getting done is being accomplished by overworked and underfunded groups like Standing in the Gap, Neigh Savers, Southern Cal Thoroughbred Rescue, the Illinois Equine Humane Center and other non-profits around the country. Though we'll spotlight only one of the groups tonight, we'll talk about the issue at large as well.

A big topic that deserves more than half an hour, but half an hour is what we have! I hope that you'll join us this evening at 10 PM CT and also join in the discussion by clicking to talk if you have a microphone or dialing in at (347) 994-3374.

It's Rescue Time

From time to time I dedicate this space to horses in need of rescue. I try not to overdo it as this is about Owning Racehorses, not Rescuing Racehorses and besides, people don't want to be chronically hit over the head. Once a month to share stories and, yes, plead for help, is not too often I don't think. In fact, it's part of our obligation as race horse owners. This space has been used by folks like Janine Starykowicz of the Illinois Equine Humane Center, the Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue and, of course, old friend Karin Wagner of Neigh Savers.

This month we're focusing on a Thoroughbred gelding named Dark Nose (Bertrando - Cookin Vickie - Far Out East) who came to Neigh Savers by surprise. The van pulled up to Destiny Ranch with it's expected load of a single horse and out came four! The other three horses were in pretty good shape but Brownie (as he is nicknamed) is in pretty tough shape. He is lame on three legs, has locking knee cap syndrome, an old bow, a sore check ligament and a potential stifle problem. This six-year old sweetie has a great disposition and a will to live, but without help, it simply won't happen. His issues are many and resources are precious few.

Click on the Destiny Ranch link above and see more pictures of Brownie and the other horses boarding at the Ranch. If you can, please help Brownie with a donation. Every little bit helps.