LIFE AFTER HORSE RACING: AFTERCARE PROGRAMS ENSURE FULFILLING SECOND CAREERS FOR PENNSYLVANIA RACEHORSES

The aftercare community contains organizations akin to Turning for Dwelling, which companies horses retiring from Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., and New Begin for Horses, which retrains retired horses from central Pennsylvania’s Penn Nationwide Race Course. In 2021, Turning for Dwelling and New Begin for Horses retrained a complete of 390 retired Pennsylvania racehorses.

“Everybody who works within the horse racing trade — from breeders and trainers to house owners and jockeys — has one factor in widespread: they’ve a deep and unwavering love of horses,” mentioned Pete Peterson, president of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Affiliation. “Aftercare organizations are an extension of that love. They had been created to be sure that each retired racehorse has a satisfying second profession and a house the place they obtain the care and a focus they deserve.”

Life after the observe can take many types, and deciding on that post-racing profession occurs over the course of a number of weeks whereas the horse is evaluated at a foster farm. By each day interplay and driving, trainers consider every horse’s bodily functionality, temperament and willingness to be taught new expertise, to find out the roles that finest swimsuit every horse.

Some retired racehorses go on to second careers as remedy horses whereas a number of have gone on to grow to be members of the Philadelphia Police Division mounted patrol unit. Different horses keep within the limelight as rivals in barrel racing, leaping or dressage, whereas different former champions are content material to get pleasure from a quieter retirement as a trail-riding companion horse.

To be taught extra about Turning for Dwelling go to www.turningforhome.org, and for details about New Begin for Horses go to www.newstartforhorses.com. For extra details about the Pennsylvania horse racing trade, go to www.pennhorseracing.com.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Horse Racing Affiliation