What happens to the race horses after their racing days are over? Good question and one of which you probably – in many cases – don’t wish to have an answer.
My wife and I are on the advisory board to the Heaven Can Wait Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in San Miguel, CA. Run by Susan Schwartz, this wonderful non-profit takes in abandoned and abused horses – some of which are the “throw backs” and “retired” race horses or the offsprings of them.
We recently attended a fund rasing event and here is a picture of me with Pair O’ Docs, the grandson of Secretariat. Pair O’ Docs lost 3 races and ended up a pack horse, eventually falling off a cliff and was then discarded. Mercifully, he was rescued by Heaven Can Wait and is doing well.
Pair O' Docs finishing a treat from Bob.
There are other offsprings of famous race horses at the Sanctuary who now are not only properly cared for, but also aid cancer patients and provide other helpful services to humans. You can read about it here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/10/prweb3111474.htm
What’s fascinating (as well as disturbing) is that the above press release was specifically distributed to the areas of the US that love to “shine in the glory” of the racing of their horses. But did anyone send a dime to help? No. In fact, the press release didn’t even make it into the blogs or websites for horse racing or owners or fans of this questionable sport. (What’s wrong? Did we hit “too close to home?” And don’t even get me started on the supposed “self-regulation” of the race horse industry.)
I know people who love to watch the horse races or claim their love of horses, but don’t open their wallet to help those same horses after they are out of the limelight. If you do help them, God bless you. If you don’t, shame on you.
Schwartz currently houses 26 horses and donkeys and runs this non-profit herself. She is the “hands-on” founder and has to stretch every dime, because, as you know, horses are expensive to maintain. Plus, if you take into consideration all the medical bills and money spent on rehabilitation, she needs your help.
If you love horses, she would welcome a contribution. If you love horse racing or own race horses, don’t you think that this would be a good way to give back? Perhaps, you already do. But from my research, you would stand out from the vast majority who don’t.
To make a tax-deductible donation, go to http://www.heavencanwait.us/
Funny Motivational Speaker Blog Bob Garner 