Adoptable Horse: Tairaterces, a 7-year-old, 15.2hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Inc., Rio Grande, Puerto Rico *Available in Puerto Rico only*

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Tairaterces

Once upon a time, there was a horse named Tairaterces (Secretariat backwards) affectionately called Tai, who had a tough start in life. When Tai arrived at Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, he was barely approachable and seemed to be carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders. Tai was a local Puerto Rico-bred racehorse with only four starts to his name and earnings of $2,180. To make matters worse, he had Piroplasmosis, which meant he couldn’t travel outside of Puerto Rico.

Despite his struggles, Tai was retired sound, but not without some behavioral issues and trouble working from the starting gate. He had a long way to go, but with time and patience, he started back under saddle in July 2024. As he began to trust those around him, his playful and loving nature shone through. Tai had no vices other than being overly playful and loved spending time with other horses in the field.

It’s amazing to see how far Tai has come from the day he arrived. He has transformed into a stunning horse, both inside and out. Tai still faces challenges with Piroplasmosis and the inability to travel outside of Puerto Rico, but that doesn’t stop him from living his best life. He enjoys spending his days exploring the beautiful island and galloping around with his friends.

Tai has so much love and potential to offer, and he deserves a chance to find his forever home. He’s goofy and willing to please. He does anything you ask if you take it slow and be kind. Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare would love to find that special person that wants an athletic beauty to add to their family. They are searching for a special person who can give Tai the love, care, and attention he needs.

Are you that special someone? Adopting Tai isn’t just a decision to add a new member to your family, but also an opportunity to make a positive difference in a horse’s life.

Please help us spread the word and find Tai his forever home!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Tairaterces appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Delvin To It, a 7-year-old, 16.3hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, Guthrie, Okla.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Delvin To It

Delvin To It was responsibly retired from racing and is now eagerly searching for his next career path. With his elegant movement and graceful presence, he shows promise as a versatile prospect capable of excelling in various riding disciplines. Delvin To It is a sensitive and intelligent gelding who requires a patient, understanding handler. He is slow to trust and may initially display hesitation or uncertainty. However, with time and patience, he is gradually building confidence and forming stronger bonds with those around him. While he may not be suited for a beginner rider due to his sensitivity and greenness, in the hands of the right person, he has the potential to excel in any sport.

Delvin To It is a work in progress, with a focus on building trust and confidence in his interactions with humans. His sensitivity requires a gentle approach, and progress is being made through consistent, patient work. Each day brings improvements, and he is showing promising signs of development as he becomes more comfortable.

If you’re an experienced rider looking for a rewarding project horse and are willing to invest the time and effort into Delvin To It’s continued training and development, we encourage you to consider him for adoption. His sensitive nature and potential for greatness make him a special candidate for the right individual or family.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Delvin To It appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Beignet, a 12-year-old, 15.3hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Beignet

Meet Beignet (Jockey Club name French Getaway), foaled March 8, 2013. Beignet exudes charisma and warmth, captivating everyone he meets with his sweet and sensitive nature. Successfully adopted in May 2022, he honed his skills in jumping and dressage with a dedicated trainer before returning to Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship in September 2023 (through no fault of his own), ready for new adventures. Beignet shows great promise as a hunter and/or dressage prospect, demonstrating his ability to excel in these disciplines with his graceful movement and eagerness to engage.

Beignet is a pleasure to work with, forming strong bonds with both humans and horses. He is well-mannered, cross ties easily, enjoys being bathed, and loads like a dream. Beignet stands quietly for the farrier, reflecting his calm demeanor.

Under saddle, Beignet displays confidence with graceful movement and collects well. He loves arena work and is eager to please, demonstrating a smart and level-headed approach. He is responsive and in tune with your body and cues, listening well to your seat.

Beignet thrives when given a job to do, making him an ideal partner for someone who can provide him with the engagement he craves. He is super responsive and does need a strong, confident rider, as he is a bold and strong horse. Forward yet steady, he holds his pace and is ready for his next adventure.

All of Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship’s retired racehorses participate in their equine-assisted interventions and Veterans vocational horsemanship education programs. They work with each horse on the ground and under saddle (English and western) before determining their strengths and suitability for various disciplines.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Beignet appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Flag Bearer, a 9-year-old, 18.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary, Plymouth, Mich.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Flag Bearer

Meet your new best friend! “Bear” is the kindest gentleman you’ll encounter. He’ll accompany you wherever you need to go. He’s a steadfast citizen with a reliable mind, always eager to please. Appropriate for an advanced rider, Bear is sound and sane under saddle. He responds to all transitions and lead changes; he was in the dressage ring for a couple years before Serenity Oaks took him in. He easily could go back to showing in dressage or be your next trail horse; he really can go whichever way you want to take him. He will go out alone or with a friend—he’s not buddy-sour.

Bear gets along well in both large and small herds, with mares or geldings. Currently, Bear enjoys 24/7 turnout with two other geldings. Bear loads, cross-ties, and is well behaved during visits from the farrier and veterinarian. Bear will stall with no issues. Bear is big and can be pushy sometimes, so he needs a strong but kind handler. He’s really an in-your-pocket kind of guy!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Flag Bearer appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

From the TRF website:

The Second Chances Program is a unique and pioneering program where inmates build life skills while participating in a vocational training program as they provide supervised care to our retired racehorses. Located at correctional facilities in eight states, inmates from every imaginable background take part in a rigorous training program where they learn horse anatomy, how to care for injuries, equine nutrition and other aspects of horse care. Graduates of the program receive a certification based on the level of expertise they have mastered. After their release from prison, graduates of the TRF Second Chances Program have gone on to careers as farriers, vet assistants, and caretakers.

What Makes the Second Chances Program Different

The inmates must learn about protecting a sentient creature; they have to think about a living thing other than themselves. The Second Chances Program is distinctive among vocational prison education because it is based on the horse, a being requiring complex care and training.

But vocational education doesn’t just help the inmates. The TRF program rehabs ex-racehorses, a concept known as “aftercare.”

Horses go to TRF with various needs due to age, injury or circumstance. Aftercare helps keep them from possible abuse and neglect. If they can’t be retrained as riding horses, or are not suitable for a particular program, they will go to a sanctuary farm managed by TRF staff who aren’t in the corrections system.

The Program’s Impact

In prison management, the focus is about keeping the population quieter, increasing positive communication, and tempering behavior, says TRF Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Kim Weir. The inmates see improved self-esteem and gain a greater sense of purpose.

A warden at the flagship men’s program at the Walkill, N.Y., facility comments that the Second Chances Program constructively impacts all the people who work in the prison, including the women’s staff. Corrections news can be “dark” much of the time, but the equine education helps provide a positive environment, and the staff is part of a project having a favorable outcome.

Participants in the program, many of whom don’t have experience with horses, are each responsible for the care of four horses, including their feeding, stall cleaning and general health. They work an eight-hour day, and the hands-on education is supplemented with a course in Equine Science Management from the College of Central Florida.

Helping Incarcerated Women

The Second Chances Program at Lowell Correctional Institute in Ocala, Fla., specializes in incarcerated women. Most are convicted of drug offenses; violent offenders aren’t allowed in the program.

Chelsea O’Reilly, program manager, says the Second Chances training gives inmates “a different kind of teacher.” They learn how to diagnose a creature “who can’t tell what’s wrong with words.”    

O’Reilly comments that “the women are more open about their emotions than the men; they are forthcoming.”

The Department of Corrections (DOC) supported the idea of the women’s program; historically, women have not had as much opportunity for vocational rehabilitation in prison as men. Many are mothers, so they are eager to earn the credit of completing the program and get out to see their kids.

“I don’t have to worry about them running away,” says John Evans, former program director, of the women who qualify for the program. “The women are a lot less angry when they bond with a horse.”

To qualify for the program, the women must be within a few years of being released from the facility. After graduation, they get referred to work primarily at horse facilities or a non-equine job where the focus and communication tools they learned can be applied.

Lauren Vanucci, a former hunter/jumper rider, served a sentence for DWI manslaughter, wherein the victim was paralyzed. After graduation from the program, she was hired in a client relations position by Niall Brennan, a leading racehorse trainer in Ocala, Fla.

Vanucci says that the skills she learned from Second Chances, such as how to be a team player and how to be a leader for yourself, apply to any kind of work.                       

Lowering Recidivism

The DOC cites an average 20 percent recidivism rate (a measure of the tendency of convicted individuals to reoffend). Studies have shown a reduction in recidivism rates at facilities that host the Second Chances Program.

According to Weir, their behavior prior to release improves, providing more reason for the parole board to end their sentence, and helping prevent them from going back to prison after release.

Evans also maintains a broad spectrum of contacts in the horse industry that help newly released participants with finding jobs.

Funding and Donations for Second Chances

The funding supporting the horses initially came from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. Currently, TRF is supported by private donations.

Donors are prompted in part, says Weir, by the belief that humans brought racehorses into the world for entertainment, so the horses deserve to have a healthy, happy life. The second reason is that the Second Chance Program is profoundly changing the lives of inmates.

The racing industry also contributes to Second Chances through promotion in broadcasting and media; Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park had a race named in honor of the program on the same day.

“They are teaching generations about equine aftercare,” says Weir.

There are some famed former racehorses in the Second Chances herd, including Shake You Down, who earned more than $1.4 million on the track. He recently passed away at the age of 23, but had been retired to the TRF’s Second Chances Farm at the Lowell Correctional Institution for Women in Ocala, Fla., for 15 years.

Hemingway’s Key, who placed third in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, was another favorite at Lowell who relocated to an adjacent farm in 2021 to become a part of the TRF’s Second Chances Juvenile Program. There, he helps give at-risk youth (young men ages 12-18) a chance to learn hands-on training in animal skills and life skills that they can use once released.

Skills Learned

Even the veterinarian visits spark thinking skills, as the vet asks inmates gathered there: “What would you look for? Why did this (condition) happen? How would you prevent this from happening? How do you treat it?”

O’Reilly notes the interdependence of the horse-human bond. The horse needs the inmate to care for its health, and the inmate needs the horse to learn about the benefit of bonding in nature to diffuse the effect of the tiled, cement-covered and loud environment they live in. The connection provides purpose with support and structure.

Confidence may be hard-won for those who end up in prison, but it can result from learning how to be sensitive to a horse while handling and training such a large animal and keeping it healthy.

More on the Second Chances Program

To learn more about TRF’s Second Chances Program, visit their website here. If you have felt moved by learning how much these horses and inmates impact each other’s lives for the better, consider donating. The program relies on donations, rather than government grants, to continue.

This article about the Second Chances Program appeared in the October 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Second Chances: Inmates and Thoroughbreds Helping Each Other appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: My Man Ira, a 4-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse My Man Ira

Meet My Man Ira, a 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Java’s War and out of Speighty Girl (by Speightstown). He last raced on May 20, 2023 — with his last work on the track in July 2023 — and retired with a broken right front sesamoid. He is currently turning out with other geldings and does very well.

Ira is an energetic and kind fellow. He loves all-over currying and scratches and will groom you back. Relationship-building is important with Ira; he will repay time spent grooming and in groundwork with better performance under saddle. Ira will need time and patience in his ridden training. Ira will require an intermediate to advanced rider who can offer him confidence and guidance. He is riding sound and, with work, should become a nice partner for a person willing to bring him along without rush.

Ira is suitable for any disciple on the flat. He is not the best option for polo, barrels or poles.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: My Man Ira appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Vision of Elias, a 5-year-old, 16.1hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, Guthrie, Okla.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Vision of Elias

Vision of Elias is handsome gelding looking for his forever home. As Elias receives the downtime he deserves, Horse and Hound’s dedicated volunteers are hard at work evaluating his unique qualities and capabilities. What they’ve discovered is a horse with a fun and sweet personality, eager to connect with humans and eager to please. Elias listens well and demonstrates a willingness to learn, making him a standout candidate for adoption. It’s important to note that Elias requires a rider who can appreciate his sensitive nature and provide the reassurance and guidance he needs to thrive.

Sporty and sound, Elias possesses a natural athleticism that sets him apart. Whether it’s tackling a challenging course in the arena or hitting the trails for a scenic ride, he thrives in environments that allow him to showcase his skills and abilities.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Vision of Elias appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: TJ, a 6-year-old, 16.3hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: CANTER Michigan, Dexter, Mich.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse TJ

Touchdown Jesus “TJ”is gorgeous 6-year-old hunk that shows promise as a competitive agility partner or a therapy horse. He is looking for his perfect partner to continue his training for a new adventure.

Ground Manners: TJ is sweet, very kind, and aims to please. He can be handled by just about anyone. In fact, he was doing agility lessons with a 9-year-old this past summer. Don’t let his 16.3 hand size fool you, this gelding will move at your pace.

Lifestyle: TJ lives outside 24/7 and does well in the winter so long as he has shelter and a blanket, but he has been stalled in the past. He gets along with mares and geldings, and is currently the horse in charge in his field of three. He’s not dominant in the field at all, just a bit passive aggressive, and generally he seems to subscribe to the “sharing is caring” vibe which makes it easy to introduce horses to him. He ties, crossties, and is working on ground tying. TJ likes to be scratched and brushed—mostly by soft brushes, though. He is good for the farrier but does need some accommodations with his feet. He currently lives in Scoot Boots with pads on the front, barefoot in the back, and is thriving with this setup. To maintain his body condition, he is on GutX which has made a huge difference in his weight gain and overall health and well-being.

Personality: TJ is a wise old soul. This gentle giant is as sweet as can be. He is wary but brave in his agility sessions, and he has a sensitivity that could make him well-suited as a partner in the wellness industry.

Suitability: TJ came to CANTER on August 14, 2022 with a slab fracture that required rehab. Veterinary prognosis remains unfavorable for return to athletic performance due to the extensive damage to the articular cartilage and osseous proliferation present. He will require long-term maintenance of the right middle carpal joint. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the extent of his injuries, he is only offered to a non-riding home.

CANTER has focused the majority of their time with him doing liberty work, and he has been excelling in his agility training. As part of his training, TJ has also been exposed to wheelchairs, walkers, and canes to see how he might do with people who might have physical disabilities, and he shows promise for equine coaching or therapy work. TJ has been competing with the International Agility Club since September 2023. He competes in their Walk Only division and has advanced to First Level in December 2023 where he received a second place with a score of 94/100. When encountering obstacles that he isn’t sure of, he stops and looks, but then will give it a try! His favorite obstacle is the curtain and he seems to like how it feels as he walks through it.

TJ and his buddy Bachelor would make great equine facilitated learning (EFL) or equine facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) horses within the wellness industry. They do very well together as a unit and their trainer could see them tuning in and participating in wellness sessions safely and with a great impact.

TJ’s Stats

Foal Date: April 6, 2018
RRP Eligible: No
Microchipped: Yes

TJ’s Race History

Total Starts: 19
Total Earnings: $50,608
Last Race: June 13, 2022

Adoption Information

Potential adopters must complete an adoption application and be approved by CANTER Michigan prior to viewing and/or adopting a horse. Please review their adoption process and complete an application here. There is no cost or obligation, and approval applies to all horses in the CANTER Michigan program. Please note that completing an application is not a guarantee of approval. CANTER Michigan recommends a PPE. All reasonable offers considered for qualified adopters.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: TJ appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Hercules, a 6-year-old, 17.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Nipomo, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Hercules

Meet Hercules (Jockey Club name Street Ruckus), foaled on May 7, 2018. Hercules retired from racing after 23 starts, winning $190,946. Hercules is a talented and eager 6-year-old gelding, standing at an impressive 17 hands. With his uphill build and light, responsive movements, he is an ideal candidate for eventing or show jumping. Hercules possesses a remarkable stop and offers a comfortable ride, making him a pleasure to work with in the arena. He is also versatile in a western saddle, making him equally suited for both Western and English trail riding, as well as other pleasure disciplines.

This level-headed horse adapts beautifully to his rider’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a calm, leisurely ride or a spirited partner ready to tackle challenges, Hercules delivers with finesse. His lightness in the mouth and overall willingness to learn make him a joy to train.

Affectionate yet not overly demanding, Hercules thrives on human interaction and is always eager for attention. He has excellent ground manners, enjoys being groomed, and is independent enough to handle outrides solo.

In addition to being easy to care for, Hercules stands patiently for mounting, cross-ties well, and is proficient at ground tying. He does well in a herd, whether living out or being stabled, and is an easy keeper. Hercules stands for the farrier and vet with ease and loads well, making him a reliable partner for any equestrian journey.

Hercules is ready to find a dedicated rider who can appreciate his gentle nature and willingness to work. Don’t miss the chance to partner with this exceptional gelding!

All of HHTH’s retired racehorses participate in their equine-assisted interventions and Veterans vocational horsemanship education programs. They work with each horse on the ground and under saddle (English and Western) before determining their strengths and suitability for various disciplines.

Contact Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Hercules!

Could this week’s adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about Hercules, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Hercules appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Star Juancho, a 9-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Star Juancho

Star Juancho is a 9year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Kantharos and out of Silver Agave (by Silver Deputy). He earned an impressive $338,690 in 53 starts on the track, which included two stakes placings. Hhe is eligible for the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover Competition.

“Juancho” last raced on October 30, 2022 and retired with a right front sesamoid medial basilar fracture and arthritis. Juancho is waived for approved and responsible adopters. A donation would be appreciated.

A freckled-faced redhead, Juancho is an unusually marked chestnut with a sweet disposition and kind eye. He loves attention and treats. He is very good for grooming and bathing, and stands quietly in crossties. He is very respectful of his handlers, and is very loving. He is currently on Equioxx to help with soundness.

Juancho is currently going out with other quiet geldings and gets along well with everyone. He is quiet while out. Second Stride has not seen any vices in or out of the stall.

Juancho will only be suitable for companionship, non-riding therapy, or in-hand agility.  He is brave and doesn’t shy away from new obstacles. He is a joy to be around, and Second Stride has fallen in love with this boy while he has been with them. He will make a great addition to your herd.

Contact Second Stride today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Star Juancho!

Could this week’s adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about Star Juancho, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Star Juancho appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.