After Racing: Retraining Thoroughbreds

Well, the good thing about being a foster home is that there are always horses in need.  With the ending of Roxie's chapter as one of my foster horses, a new chapter was started yesterday with the arrival of two very woolly geldings, Sunny Thoughts and Friendly Neighbor.  Both are exracers who retired in 2007 and were, to my knowledge, pretty much made into pasture pets.  In addition, both have pretty decent conformation and are big bodied, big boned (and more importantly) big-footed fellows.  My initial thought is that they will make good hunters or possibly eventers.  They're very sweet and seem to be well mannered.  I'm looking forward to getting to know them a little bit more. 

It was a bittersweet day on Saturday when Roxie, who was undoubtedly my favorite of foster horses, left for her new home in the Dayton, OH area. I have every belief that Rachel, Roxie's adopter, is going to give Roxie a fabulous home and life. In fact, I think she's probably the perfect home as she not only has a great support system that is very familiar with Thoroughbreds, but she also has experience with horses who have quirky behaviors or issues (like her ears). I think all is well, but that doesn't mean I don't miss her just a bit. :) Here are a few pictures of Roxie starting life with her new mom!  I'm really looking forward to photos and stories of their experiences together throughout the future.

I took some new pictures of Roxie the other day.  She is fitting in really well and seems to be happy enough.  I'm planning on ramping up ground work this week and next with plans for starting her under saddle at the beginning of December.  Here are pictures of her stretching her legs on Sunday.  Enjoy!

I'm thrilled to say that another new foster horse will be arriving on Monday.  Yippee!!  All I know is that she is a 6 year old bay mare, approximately 15.2h.  I'll definitely get some pictures posted when she arrives.

Greetings all! My name is Amy Latka and this blog will be dedicated to the Second Chances horses that I will be working with. Second Chances is a retraining program created by the Thoroughbred rescue organization, Friends of Ferdinand. www.FriendsofFerdinand.org

I'll be posting pictures and training updates on any of the horses that are sent to me for training. My hope is that through this blog, the horses on these pages will be able to find good, permanent homes where both horse and owner will thrive.

Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. is an Indianapolis-based 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2005 to provide options and alternatives to Indiana’s horses that are no longer able to fulfill their intended purpose. FFI took its name from a championed racehorse named Ferdinand, who won both the Kentucky Derby and the Breeder’s Cup and was named Horse of the Year in 1987. During his career, Ferdinand earned four million dollars and was retired to stud in 1989. In 1995, he was exported to Japan where he was led to slaughter.

“Second Chances” is a self-sustaining retraining program for retired racehorses that is truly unique to the state of Indiana. It promotes a practical concept for organizations and advocates involved in the welfare of retiring racehorses. Instead of merely rescuing these horses from their current situation, FFI plans to provide them with a new skill set that will allow them to transition more easily and permanently into new lives as riding horses.

I invite you to read through this blog and learn about the horses that are available. For more information on any of the horses available through Friends of Ferdinand, Inc., please visit their website at Friends of Ferdinand, Inc.