Once considered an unlikely candidate for adoption because of his injuries incurred on the track, ex-racehorse Watson (formerly Wooden Phone) is now enjoying a new life with owner Suzanne Minter. She adopted him while working at <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Flopetx.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">LOPE Texas</a>, a thoroughbred rehab and adoption farm.
Once considered an unlikely candidate for adoption because of his injuries incurred on the track, ex-racehorse Watson (formerly Wooden Phone) is now enjoying a new life with owner Suzanne Minter. She adopted him while working at LOPE Texas, a thoroughbred rehab and adoption farm.
Thomas Reardon
Jordan Mitchell adopted Apalache King from LOPE. "I feel like King will be such a good ambassador for ex-racehorses. People think if horses end up in adoption agencies, it's because something is wrong with them, and that simply isn't true."
Jordan Mitchell adopted Apalache King from LOPE. "I feel like King will be such a good ambassador for ex-racehorses. People think if horses end up in adoption agencies, it's because something is wrong with them, and that simply isn't true."
Thomas Reardon
Horsemanship teacher Michael Richardson demonstrates the sensitivity and responsiveness of Santo, a former track horse at LOPE.
Horsemanship teacher Michael Richardson demonstrates the sensitivity and responsiveness of Santo, a former track horse at LOPE.
Thomas Reardon
Alexa Anderson competes on ex-racer Big Trump at LOPE's Annual Benefit Horse Show.
Alexa Anderson competes on ex-racer Big Trump at LOPE's Annual Benefit Horse Show.
Thomas Reardon
Lynn Reardon, founder of LOPE, says that ex-racehorses are very attuned to body language. She uses this in her training techniques. From back: Luther with owner Patti Brown Standen astride, Red Joe and Big Trump.
Lynn Reardon, founder of LOPE, says that ex-racehorses are very attuned to body language. She uses this in her training techniques. From back: Luther with owner Patti Brown Standen astride, Red Joe and Big Trump.
Thomas Reardon
"It's not enough to love a horse, feed it treats and put your arm around it. The horses need people to understand what they need as horses," Reardon said. Pictured: Theatricals Halo, left, and Showtime Queen.
"It's not enough to love a horse, feed it treats and put your arm around it. The horses need people to understand what they need as horses," Reardon said. Pictured: Theatricals Halo, left, and Showtime Queen.
Thomas Reardon
Clever Allemont and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oldfriendsequine.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Old Friends</a> Retirement Center founder Michael Blowen spent quality time together in the paddock as the elderly racehorse lived out his golden years. "Because people cared about Clever Allemont, he is with us," Blowen said in 2013 of the horse rescued from a kill auction. "Aller" was blind in one eye.
Clever Allemont and Old Friends Retirement Center founder Michael Blowen spent quality time together in the paddock as the elderly racehorse lived out his golden years. "Because people cared about Clever Allemont, he is with us," Blowen said in 2013 of the horse rescued from a kill auction. "Aller" was blind in one eye.
EquiSport Photos
At the Old Friends farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, ex-racehorses enjoy their golden years and visits from tour groups.
At the Old Friends farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, ex-racehorses enjoy their golden years and visits from tour groups.
EquiSport Photos
At the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjamesriverhorses.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">James River Chapter </a>of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, ex-racehorses team up with men at a local correctional facility. In only a month, Ace of Hearts and James, who takes care of her, already had a strong bond, according to the chapter's president, Anne Tucker.
At the James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, ex-racehorses team up with men at a local correctional facility. In only a month, Ace of Hearts and James, who takes care of her, already had a strong bond, according to the chapter's president, Anne Tucker.
Meghan Walker
Skittles is in a training session with Brooks Clement, trainer at the James River Chapter. The ex-racehorses are rehabbed for adoption, which includes training them for a variety of new vocations.
Skittles is in a training session with Brooks Clement, trainer at the James River Chapter. The ex-racehorses are rehabbed for adoption, which includes training them for a variety of new vocations.
Debby Thomas
David and Ace of Hearts share a moment. "Every time I go to the barn, I can tell someone has changed by being around these horses," Tucker said.
David and Ace of Hearts share a moment. "Every time I go to the barn, I can tell someone has changed by being around these horses," Tucker said.
Debby Thomas
The James River Work Center offers a place of rest, recovery and retraining for thoroughbreds off the track.
The James River Work Center offers a place of rest, recovery and retraining for thoroughbreds off the track.
Debby Thomas
Four Wheel Driver, one of the older mares, enjoys a run at the James River Chapter.
Four Wheel Driver, one of the older mares, enjoys a run at the James River Chapter.
Debby Thomas
Elliot, a graduate of the Groom Elite program, lent a hand at the open house at the James River Chapter.
Elliot, a graduate of the Groom Elite program, lent a hand at the open house at the James River Chapter.
Debby Thomas
Kathy Stim's first outing with ex-racehorse Archer (formerly Wood Be Me) was in 2010 at the Long Run Hounds Hunter Pace. She is the vice president of<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.secondstride.org%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Second Stride</a>, a thoroughbred rehabilitation farm, and adopted Archer there. Archer was almost put down because of his injuries.
Kathy Stim's first outing with ex-racehorse Archer (formerly Wood Be Me) was in 2010 at the Long Run Hounds Hunter Pace. She is the vice president of Second Stride, a thoroughbred rehabilitation farm, and adopted Archer there. Archer was almost put down because of his injuries.
Ed Van Meter
Agent Alex, adopted in 2012 by Sarah McCullough from Second Stride, before adoption, left, and after adoption. He is just starting his eventing career.
Agent Alex, adopted in 2012 by Sarah McCullough from Second Stride, before adoption, left, and after adoption. He is just starting his eventing career.
Ed Van Meter
Ozzie, formerly Warning Zone, was retired from racing after an injury ended his career and brought to<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neighsavers.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Neigh Savers</a> for rehab. He was adopted by the resident trainer and is now competing in hunter classes. Karin Wagner, the executive director, said that Ozzie's success story was made possible by funding from<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tca.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> TCA</a>.
Ozzie, formerly Warning Zone, was retired from racing after an injury ended his career and brought to Neigh Savers for rehab. He was adopted by the resident trainer and is now competing in hunter classes. Karin Wagner, the executive director, said that Ozzie's success story was made possible by funding from TCA.
Neigh Savers