Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

trackgirl — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 22:39:09 GMT

So many people would love to take on one or more of these horses if the word got out that they are cheap or free. I was backside at a local track, summer 2010, talking to a groom. He mentioned a guy with an overcrowded trailer there two days before I was there asking for "discarded" racehorses! I told this groom about one place in particular FRIENDS OF FERDINAND, Inc in Indiana.

www.friendsofferdinand.org

He never heard of it or any other facility! He said he would pass on the information to the owner he worked for. I hope he does! I called a trainer about one horse (listed under track listings) and got TWO horses for the price of one because he does care about his horses. I was messing around on the computer one night in late 2009 and not long after that I was a horse owner!!! They are awesome! I cry thinking what would've been their fate if someone like me didn't go against the odds to take on racers. All three of my kids ride them, (youngest nine) and the horses will follow us around like puppies. Granted, first off they were scared and bewildered but just over 1 year later, they fit right in perfectly. I pick hooves, blanket, groom, and saddle WITHOUT ANY restraints, not even a halter! I have cats and dogs zipping in and out of the barn and between their legs but these horses RESPECT me and I them! So many people could experience this if they give it a chance and if they knew about it. Spread the word about off track thoroughbreds (OTTB's). They ARE worth the time! Thank you.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

horseracinglover — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:44:57 GMT

Ok thats great for him but what about the 2009 Kentucky Derby contender sitting in a NJ feedlot slated to go to Canada tomorrow. What about the group of OTTS sitting at another feedlot in NJ all are sound most win money. Their ride to Canada is slated for next week too. If you want to help OTTB's go to the sales at Camelot or New Holland or the sale in Maryland. Thousands go every year to slaughter most are seviceably sound. A horse that won over 200,000.00 went to auction he sold to a killer buyer for 350.00. There are rescues trying to save as many as they can. Goggle horse rescues. Pick one research it then send in a donation which can be written off. Google horse slaughter or look it up on Youtube. You can even look it up on Facebook. Lots of horses are going due to the economy. Help save a horse. Find a reputable rescue and sponser a horse the heart you save could be your own.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

ottbotsb — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:48:13 GMT

I have adopted many tbs and stbs and can give you another example of irresponsible former owners and trainers. An ottb I adopted had a really bad episodee of very aggressive behavior so I followed up with the trainer (who had no role in placing the horse at the adoption facility) and found out the horse had viciously attacked and severely injured the trainer's wife who was still in ICU. The owner very conveniently forgot to mention this part of the horse's history to the adoption agency. After I contacted the agency and they confirmed this with the trainer, the former owners finally came clean about this horse being extremely dangerous and unpredictable. The adoption agency and myself (a 40 years experienced trainer) made the joint decision to euthanize this horse. We were just thankful that he had not been adopted by a less experienced person who most likely would have been severely injured or even killed when this horse attacked. This is another example of how irresponsible and unethical owners can try to get out of doing the right thing by the horse and putting others at great risk. This is a sad story for this horse, and it could have been a true trajedy had another person been injured or even killed by this gelding.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

trackgirl — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:56:33 GMT

Thank God he has a home. So many are put down, or worse, slaughtered because nobody wants them. I bought two off the track and they are in hog heaven! I have spent more on them than their money worth but their worth to me is priceless! I love them, love them, love them! I only wish I could take more of these precious souls and give them homes. They don't ask to be born, ran into the ground, and left behind, unloved and unwanted. I think breeding should be regulated. Not every horse that steps on a track needs to be bred. This policy would actually strengthen the Thoroughbred lines and produce better horses for the long haul.

I read how only the finest Arabians in ancient times were bred, strengthing that breed. TB breeders should at least consider that.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Keep it Public — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:54:50 GMT

Another thought on supporting retirement charities.

In supporting cat and dog charities over the years it isn't always dollars that are required. Often spare pillows, blankets, towels, sheets, quilts, collars/leashes are just as well received.

I wonder if with a little thought just how much "surplus" stuff in our homes and barns could be used and would be well received by these chatities.

Know of a restaurant or hotel that is replacing all their old linens, try talking to the manager and see if a portion or all could be donated to an animal charity or two or three.

Perhaps you have an old halter, lead rope or blanket kicking around that may be of use to a charity.

Be creative. I helped a friend in 2010 with the estate of a parent and we donated a load of stuff to animal charities and hospice thrift stores.

Must better than the dump.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

keep it public — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:49:26 GMT

I know this is off topic. Dyna King - what happened and how did he end up dumped?

So glad Hotstuf has got a home.

Does Blood Horse or any other online publication have a LIST of retirement charities?

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Remember Me Racehorse Rescue — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:46:35 GMT

We would like to offer this sweet horse a home. Please contact me with info on how we can help him.

Donna Keen,

www.teamkeen.com

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

tasha0927 — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:45:53 GMT

Hotstuff is going to Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue!!!!

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Nola Ross — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:04:29 GMT

what about Exceller Fund? I am a member and we rescue thoroughbreds no one wants. it's on the net. in Lexington

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

jodi in Indiana — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:19:20 GMT

This is happening to other horses. It would also be good to keep us updated on Dyna King. He was turned loose on the desert to die. I think part of the horses earning should be put back for their retirement. Of course....how did an illegal immigrant get Dyna King????? something wrong with this picture!!!!!

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

New Vocations — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:41:33 GMT

We are happy to announce that Hotstufanthensome will be going to Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in Pawling, New York where he will have a forever home. We are thrilled that Akindale stepped up and offered their services to him. In return they will send one of their adoptable horses to New Vocations, which will enter the retraining program and eventually find a new home. This is a perfect example of two programs working together and utilizing their strengths. Hotstuff is scheduled to be shipped next week, weather permitting. Another positive side to this story is that Evening Attire who actually raced against Hotstuff is also a resident at Akindale. It is great that the two will meet up once again.

The support for Hotstuff has been amazing. We have received close to $2500 in donations. The donations are greatly appreciated and will cover his board, farrier, and vet bills during the ten months he has been with us. Any further donations will go towards his shipping and care at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue. Akindale does have a sponsorship program and will be looking for ongoing sponsors for Hotstuff. Anyone interested should contact Erin at eclibertybell@aol.com. For more information on their program you can visit their website at www.akindalehorserescue.org

We apologize for any confusion concerning the rumors of Hotstuff going to Old Friends. New Vocations had contacted Old Friends numerous times over the past five months but never received any conformation on them accepting him. We are not sure who posted the information about him going there. If anyone has made a donation for Hotstuff’s care to Old Friends you will need to contact them directly with any questions.

In anyone needs to contact New Vocations they may e-mail us at anna@horseadoption.com or call 937-642-3171. www.horseadoption.com

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Keep it public — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:05:18 GMT

I am totally disgusted that Hotstufandthensome was used in this way and to ensure it does not happen again, I would love to see him go to the KENTUCKY HORSE PARK. That way the publuic will see what happens all too often to older geldings and horses on the way down through the ranks. This horse has earned his connections a lot of $$'s and through it all only asked for love and good care. Obviously we need a better way of policing these horses and their connections, so that injuries do not get left untreated.

As has been said -Karma will set things straight, but a public example needs to be made.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Maggie — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:06:04 GMT

Here is a thought: The breeder who registers the foal with the Jockey Club (or whoever owns the horse at the time of registration) is required to pay a set fee (let's say $500 for the sake of argument) paid to a central fund overseen by let's say the Jockey Club. This fee will go toward paying expenses for finding a suitable home after retirement for the horse, including rahabilitation, stabling, training, and vet fees associated with it. It does NOT mean that the breeder would be responsible for the cost of maintaining the horse "for life"...Just the fee to cover the transition process from retirement to permanent home. From then on, the new owner would be responsible for the horse, just like it would be in the real world. Of course, not every horse that paid into the fund would have to draw from it- there would of course be track fatalities that would lower the number of horses in the "pool", and some horses might find forever homes right away, and of course some would go right to the breeding farm. This fund would naturally help the ones most in need. Let me know what you think!

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

MP — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 06:00:56 GMT

You are all totally missing the point. Owning race horses changed from being a hobby to a business back in the 80's. It was our government, and of all people president Reagan, an avid horseman who schanged the tax laws. Horses are asstes, depreciable over time, if an owner doesnt make a profit, they are denied any exemptions. I dont care how rich you are, you cannot turn a profit year after year owning race horses. its a no win situation. The best plan at this point is for all of you to stop whining and start lobbying to again offer tax credits and write offs for horse owners. Everyone in the industry is losing money, the horse owners need a bail out to make this happen, lets not forget that the average life span of a horse is 30 years. From a cold hearted business point of view, when a horse is no longer useful, the accountant steps in and says cut your losses. Lets change this!

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Maggie — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:55:17 GMT

Now that is has been brought up in this forum...The claiming game is perpetuating the problem of run-down horses. If they did away with let's say anything below $10,000 claiming races, and if a horse could not be competitive at that price, he has to be retired. Or after a set maximum number of starts, he has to be retired. What are the opinions on that out there? Let me know!

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

eightbelles — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:37:08 GMT

I am so happy to hear that Old Friends may be taking this horse. I will doublecheck with their website but if that is in fact true, then that would be wonderful news for this special horse. They do wonderful work and I have been a long time supporter and fan of there organization. Bless them and all others as well who care for horses in the manner that they so richly deserve.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Polly from Louisiana — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:57:45 GMT

I have some friends who own and race TBs. They always find homes for their horses. They don't sell the horses, just give them away to good homes. It may take them some time but they manage to always find a home. One horse in particular Sandra's Power, I rode quietly for 6 months, teaching her manners and basic dressage, it was easy because she had such a good work ethic. I sold her for a small amt of money to the financial advisor of our State Governor. About a year later I received a large envelope. In it was a magazine with her picture on the front cover. She had won grand champion at a big horse show in the east. Another horse, a gelded son of Danzig, from the same friends, was given to a friend of mine. Once re-trained, He ended up as a champion steeplchase horse. Another QH racing mare that I had ended up being a top notch AQHA show mare. My current OTT TB was a victim of Katrina. He was a pony horse at the Fairgrounds when Katrina hit. He ended up at the stockyard ready for slaughter. He is a gelded son of Lord Rebeau, now a beautiful pasture ornament. He will spend the rest of his days with the best care I can provide. For the past 20 years I have been taking in ex-race horses, if I can't rehab them, I keep them.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Mike Relva — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:56:19 GMT

G. POWELL

It shouldn't be about "recognition",you shouldn't need "a pat on the back". You and others should find it rewarding in what you say your doing. That's academic! Like someone in the business says,"some should be racing cars instead of horses". Couldn't agree more.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

LauraJ — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:53:03 GMT

@Tommyt77, assuming that is true (and who knows?), they didn't have room. You must understand that every horse rescue is swamped. Old Friends will be completing a new gelding paddock as soon as the ground softens up enough to allow it to be fenced, which will give them room for Hotstuff and some other geldings.

@Cris, any rescue will be happy with whatever you can afford to give. It all adds up! However, if you want some examples, take a look at the Our Mims Retirement Home website www.ourmims.org. Click on "store" on the menu to your left, then click on "for the ladies" and/or "sponsorships." As an example, a bale of straw for bedding is $3, and hay is $4. So you can see that even a small donation is useful. Many rescues also need "stuff" and will be happy to provide you with a wish list. (As an example, I donated an unused Staples gift card to a rescue. They all need office supplies.)

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

G.Powell — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:22:22 GMT

I am am owner/trainer. I have found homes for all of my racehorses. I personally own one of my racehorses and I make sure that he is taken care of, but there is absolutely NO recognition or reward to people who care in the industry as a whole. I am constantly denied stalls at racetracks and it seems that the trainers who are the most heartless get huge amount of stalls. They should take into consideration the trainer who makes an effort to keep a horse or find a home for it, but this never enters the picture and, consequently, many horses end up with no homes or in the slaughterhourse in Mexico or Canada - make your choice.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Cris — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:13:40 GMT

I think it would be easier to find donations for a horse if we readers knew just how much money we need to donate. Since many of us are pinching every penny to take care of our own horses, and we always find a few extra for a case like his, we would know how to better help if there were some posted fees from the non profits here at the bloodhorse site. Then we can put our money together and make it count.

Would he be able to be a pasture buddy to a young horse? Or would he be better off with a broodmare pasture? I only have two pastures, but he is welcome in mine.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Dani — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:57:47 GMT

My appreciation and admiration for those who rescue, care for, provide homes for and look for new homes for these wonderful creatures knows no end. I just cannot say enough about the dedication and love your efforts make and the difference it makes in a situation that is so dire. Thank you.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

tommyt77 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:11:32 GMT

I heard that they contacted Old Friends as far back as summer last year when he had finished his rehab and was on pasture turnout and Old Friends refused to take him.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

HorseRescueGal — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:11:35 GMT

Sadly, Hotstuf is the exception to the rule of what happens to these magnificent Geldings. The stallions have it better than most and the mares get a better deal too because their money earning potential remains. The geldings are the ones that pay the highest price. As a horse racing fan, gallop girl, groom, trainers' assistant and all the other race track jobs I've held, I love the sport, I've seen it all and I see it for what it is. Sadly my new profession is on the other side of the the fence and I feel I do only a fraction of the good I want too. I now rescue the "broken down" ones. Many of whom have only needed time and even the old ones have turned into amazing family horses. Some of them I'm given by the owners or trainers who would otherwise drop them at the kill sale. Others I purchase from the kill sale. There are so many I can't save but EVERY single one I've purchased has turned into an AMAZING animal and they are all part of wonderful families. I have NEVER had one that didn't turn out. I'm sure I may lose one someday but so far, three years into doing this, it's been a very rewarding, though expensive, endeavor. The problem is in the owners I believe... And I'm good friends with many race horse owners, however, they only are in it for the thrill of racing and the money. Very few realize that these animals pay significant prices for our enjoyment once their 'useful' years are gone... If we could get the word out better. Which articles like this are a HUGE step in the right direction. Maybe something can be done over time to lessen the numbers sent to inhumane, horrific slaughter and other demises.

re: Hotstufanthensome: Needs a Place to Call Home

Jaylo — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:58:41 GMT

I am happy to see this artical - it brings up the activity of many stables and what happens to retired & injured race horses. I hope Runnin Horse Farm will step up and do the right thing now that this is in print!