On December 15th, 2019, Peyton Place was adopted from Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue by Christine McFadden Aguilar and Alyssa Kelly. Peyton’s last race was August 29th, 2018; he earned a total of $13,775 during his racing career with Wasabi Ventures Stables, LLC. Since his last race, Peyton was given time off to rehabilitate a bowed tendon. After some much needed rest, Peyton started his second career with the aim to compete at the 2020 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in October. The Thoroughbred Makeover is a showcase to display the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds intended to help these horses transition into their second careers. Currently, the plan is to compete Peyton in the discipline of eventing, which requires three different…

Recently, I had the opportunity to learn more about another TRF Second Chances Program. This off track thoroughbred program (OTTB) is located at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida. Farm Manager, John Evans, runs the program and holds the title of Vocational Teacher of Equine Care Technology for the Florida Department of Corrections. The horses are owned by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. This program is supported by Florida Department of Corrections at the Lowell Correctional Institution, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Currently there are 49 retired thoroughbreds housed in this…

This month’s aftercare spotlight focuses on a different type of program, the Equine Science program at the University of Minnesota at Crookston. I was able to speak with Jonathon Holland to learn more about this program and its relationship with Thoroughbred racing. MPK: Tell me a little bit about this program. JH: We offer an Equine Science major and an Equine Science Pre-vet major. In the fall of 2020 we will begin offering an Equine Business Management major. MPK: Can you tell me about the history of the Equine Science program? JH: Our program has been in existence since 1972.…

Kind of a Big Dill is happily recovered and training again, per our last update. His workouts are continuously improving and he is galloping into his first barrel series that starts in April. We are incredibly excited that KOABD, formerly Vineyard Harbour of WV Stables, has made such a wonderful recovery and is now ready to compete again. His trainer Samyi has been working hard to get him back into tip-top shape for his first competition. With only about two and a half months to go before the barrel races, he still has some work to do but is getting…

Where is Aiken Equine Rescue based? It is based in Aiken, South Carolina.  What makes your program unique? We are one of the only aftercare facilities that is also involved in racing as far as owning race horses.  The President/Executive director and his wife own race horses of their own. Because of that we are able to work from the inside out because we have developed friendships and acquaintances through the industry, whether it is through sales or direct relationships with owners, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, and jockeys.  We are pro-racing and think it is a great sport when it is done…

How did your program begin? After the Races began in the fall of 2010. It was brought to my attention that there was a growing need for capable rehabilitation facilities to help with retiring racehorses in transition. At the time I was leasing a farm and doing some boarding and training, but my heart had always been with Thoroughbreds having worked in most facets of the industry (from starting young horses for the track, to exercising and managing a stable of racehorses including their injuries). With my professional background and medical experience, it felt like a good fit for both…