www.MNRRP.com

Hello Everyone,
Since I can't figure out how to take this down yet I'm just going to make a new post so you know how to find us and our horses as this is no longer being used!

See our Website at: www.MNRRP.com
OR
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minnesota-Retired-Racehorse-Project/223685621051543
to see our current lists of horses.

Updated Horse List

Revenge Tea- 6yr old 14.3h Chestnut Mare
Tea is an adorable, wonderful little mare who wants a job. This mare is fast and cat like but has amazing ground manners and has started her retraining. She would make a great little barrel or game horse! Tea is currently barefoot and sound, she passed all her flexions and is ready to go! Adoption Fee $700
Located in Chaska


 

Valise - 2005 16.2h Bay Gelding
Last raced Sept 2011, Valise has some effusion in his fetlocks and has mild arthritis in them which may prevent him from being a higher level athlete, but would be well suited for low level dressage or trail riding.Valise has not been ridden since his last race in Sept so will need to be restarted.
Located in Randolph, MN Price $400  

Just One Spot "Spot"
2004 (8yr old) 16.1h Chestnut Gelding  Last race was in 2007
Barefoot and sound enough for dressage and jumping. Had chip removed in RF knee a few years ago but is completely healed and ready to go. Spot hasn't been ridden since last race, so will need to be restarted. This boy really wants a job and will try very hard to please his new owner. Price TBD Located in Randolph, MN

Hopscotch Ali “Ali”
2005 (7yr old) approx. 16h Dk Bay Mare
Last raced in 2009
Ali has an amazing, huge trot with great suspension. She’s a spunky, forward mare who will excel in any discipline – dressage, eventing, jumpers. Ali hasn't been ridden since last race, so will need to be restarted.
Located in Randolph, MN   Price TBD 



My Friend Gracie “Gracie”
2005 (7yr old) 15.3h Bay Mare
Last raced 2009
Gracie is 100% sound and ready for a new career. Compact build and could go any direction – English or western, jumping or barrels! She’s also an easy keeper. Gracie hasn't been ridden since last race, so will need to be restarted.
Located in Randolph, MN
Price TBD





She’s Jasmine “Jasmine”
2007 (5yr old) approx. 15.3h Bay Mare
Jasmine is an absolutely lovely mover. She was in training to race but never made it to the starting gate. After recovering from mild sesamoiditis, she is now 100% sound and ready for a new career. She will be VERY fancy! She is currently in front shoes. She does crib but it is well-controlled with a strap. Jasmine is also a very easy keeper – a bonus for an OTTB! Jasmine hasn't been ridden since she was 2yrs old, so will need to be restarted.
Located in Randolph, MN Price TBD

One Smart Alec “Alec”
2008 (4yr old) approx. 16.3h Chestnut Gelding
Alec is sound and ready to move on to a new career. This big, leggy gelding will do best with some consistent groundwork but could go any direction under saddle – we could see him doing well in jumpers or eventing! Alec hasn't been ridden since last year so will need to be restarted.
Located in Randolph, MN  Price TBD
                                                     

We're Still Here!!

The Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project has started 2012 with some interesting changes and big plans. In January, former director Annie Ringwelski decided to step down from MNRRP’s board to focus more on her own rescue efforts of horses of all breeds. Annie has a long history of helping horses in need and made the personal decision to leave the group so she can freely help all types of equines. We thank her for her immense support, time and financial contributions to the group over the last two and a half years and wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. She has agreed to stay on as a foster home if needed, and I don’t think anyone will be able to keep her away from Canterbury Park in the summer!

Annie’s departure has given me the opportunity to step up as MNRRP’s new director. Thankfully, I have an excellent support team lined up: Founding MNRRP member Kate Jensen is our Vice President, Colleen Foley has returned to the group to serve as our treasurer, and Julie Michener is our new secretary. These women are all very passionate about our objective and mission and I’m very excited to have them on board! I also want to specifically thank a couple of our other supporters: Ted Grevelis, a racehorse owner and Daily Racing Form journalist, as well as Minnesota Thoroughbred Association President Scott Rake, MTA Executive Director Kay King and the management of Canterbury Park.

This year is looking to be a big one! Keep checking our Facebook page, Web site and this blog for information on upcoming events. We are hoping to host several fundraiser clinics this spring, summer and fall; a fundraiser trail ride; a golf tournament; and a fall Fun Show. We’ll also be applying for several grants. Also, be sure to check out the programs when you head to Canterbury to watch the races – we are planning on featuring adoptable horses as well as success stories each week!

As always, we welcome contributions of any kind. If you are able to donate or are interested in one of our horses, please contact us at mnretiredracehorses@yahoo.com. *Please note this is a NEW e-mail – please delete any other MNRRP-associated e-mails you have.* We should have our new Paypal account up and running within the next week or two. You can mail any checks (payable to MNRRP) to me: Jennifer Selvig, DVM, 6921 Egan Dr., Savage, MN 55387.

Goodbye Hot Sax...

HOT SAX

May 20, 2003 - December 9, 2011

Sax came to us in September after being rescued from a feedlot. She last raced on August 18, 2011 and throughout her lifetime she had accomplished 67 starts.  Sax had 8 firsts, 11 seconds, and 7 thirds, earning her owners $98,337.  A Maryland bred mare, she raced at tracks including Delaware Park, Suffolk Downs, Laurel Park, Philadelphia Park, Penn National, Charles Town, Lincoln Fair, Fonner, and Canterbury. 

Dr Selvig and I with Hot Sax at the clinic

Sax was a sweet mare, always wanting attention. She was easy to handle and very classy. Upon her rescue, we had hoped she would at least be pasture sound, and be able to live the remainder of her life as a companion horse. Unfortunately, xrays showed quite a bit of debris in both of her enlarged ankles, along with an older cannon fracture. She was extremely uncomfortable and was already showing signs of arthritis. Dr. Selvig and I decided the most humane thing to do was to put her down. A decision that should have been made by her owners instead of having her shipped to a feedlot and sold off by the pound.

We paid $300 to save her life, fed her for over 3 months, took films of her legs and ankles, and gave her bute to try to make her more comfortable. We probably have over $1000 into her, which some would say is a waste of money. Truth be told, we are extremely limited on funds - but every horse in our program matters. We did what we could for her. Thanks to Dr Selvig and Cleary Lake Vet Clinic, her last journey will be teaching vet students and techs, practicing ultrasounds, xrays and different procedures. Finally, they will all learn from her as she is humanely euthanized. 

 Good bye Hot Sax - I'm honored to have known you and I'm blessed you have touched my life, even for a short time.

Scotty, 85 ex-racers, and a little Faith...

Scotty - Dec 2008

The chestnut gelding shivered in the pasture, his eyes dark and lifeless, head hanging low. I could see every bone in his 16 hand body, fungus had caused his hair to fall out in patches, leaving his skin exposed to the harsh December winter. As I entered the pasture, I watched him take a few painful steps toward me. He still wore a racing shoe, which twisted and dug sharply into his hoof.  I had been told the night before about a skinny Thoroughbred gelding needing help, and having a soft spot for the breed, I found myself immediately interested.  I had no idea at that time what I was getting myself into, but after seeing him I knew I couldnt walk away. He had fallen through the cracks after his racing career ended just four months prior. Sporting knee chips, atrophy in his hindquarters from a botched nerve block and pinfiring on both front legs, he was no longer productive as a racehorse. Through no fault of his own, he bounced around from owner to owner until he finally became unclaimed and ultimately, unwanted.  I immediately named him after my dear friend Scotty Marion, who disappeared over the Swiss Alps while paragliding. Scotty had such a passion for life, and could light up a room with his infectious smile the moment he walked in. He loved horses and I had hoped that by naming this horse after him, it would give him a will to live. We lifted the weak gelding into the trailer and brought him home. After a couple days the life returned to his eyes and I promised him I would never give up on him. That was December, 2008.

Scotty - Nov 2011

  Today Scotty happily munches hay in my pasture, the spokes-horse for Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project and the reason the program exists. Officially founded in 2009 by myself and Dr. Jennifer Selvig, the program has since placed, or facilited the placement of, over 85 horses. A rather large accomplishment given our extremely limited budget. Most of the horses accepted into MNRRP's program during our busy season are donated by trainers or owners. Once the track closes and the rush to place horses is over, we make rounds to the local auctions and feedlots in an attempt to find retired racehorses that may have fallen through the cracks. Always a relief not to find any tattooed horses, it's equally as sad to see the hundreds of others being sold by the pound. I've gotten used to the saying "you cant save them all", as for nearly 12 years I've rescued, rehabilitated, and placed countless horses of all breeds. There are times; however, when you simply cannot walk away no matter what the breed. Thus was the case with a little chestnut mare I found on a recent trip to the feedlot.

Chestnut mare - Oct 15

 She wasnt anything special, nothing about her stood out. A plain chestnut mare, no taller than 14.2 hands, blaze skewed to the side at her nose. She had a red halter on, unlike the majority of the 200+ horses at the feedlot which had collected there, having come from various auctions. She seemed friendly, and allowed my daughter and her friend to pet her. For whatever reason I took quite a few photos of her on our first visit, October 15. She was in good weight, and they wanted $300 for her. Judging from her teeth she was older, probably mid teens. She had what appeared to be an ambilical hernia, but I was told she had been a broodmare and it had something to do with her milk after weaning her colt. Weather this was true or not I have no idea. Maybe it was her facial resemblence that reminded me of Scotty that drew me to her. At any rate, we continued our journey through the feeldot, looking for Thoroughbreds. None were to be found that day.

  I had posted photos online of a few horses, in hopes of finding homes before they were to be shipped south. Since I had some interest I decided to return a few days later, October 18. Again, I found the mare with the red halter. It was colder that day, misty rain and a chilly wind. I remember seeing her shaking. I asked more questions about her and the gal jumped up on her to see if she was broke. I didnt have my camera this time, but took a couple photos with my phone. For some reason I kept thinking about her. Again, I walked away.

Chestnut mare - Nov 18

  Fast forward exactly one month later. I again returned to the feedlot in hopes of finding, or not finding, ex-racehorses. As my friend and I walked the 200 acres of hilly pastures searching through the horses, we took pictures and made mental notes. We ducked under an old barbed wire fence, seperating two of the fields leading us to the bottom of the back pasture. In the distance I saw an extremely skinny chestnut laying down. I used my camera to zoom in and couldnt believe my eyes. It was the same mare with the red halter, only this time, she was only a shell of a horse. Every bone stuck out and even from a distance I could tell she was severly emaciated. It was evident to me she had given up. As we approached, we could see her halter had twisted sideways over her head, making her appearance even more disturbing. I fixed her halter and with a little coaxing we managed to get her up. The temperature was supposed to drop drastically that night, and there was no way I was leaving her there. If she was going to die, she was going to die in a nice, warm, bedded stall with people around her who cared and a mountain of grass hay in front of her. She would not die all alone in the back of a pasture at night in the cold.

 That evening we managed to get her home and make her comfortable. I named her Faith. She enjoyed being brushed and pampered and had a great appetite. The following few days she perked up and the life again returned to her eyes. Although she has only been with me for 5 days so far she has continued to make improvements.She is not out of the woods quite yet but I have faith she will make a full recovery. No, she's not an ex-racehorse and yes, I will be taking her on as a personal rescue, but I did feel her story was worthy of this blog. Many of you have asked how to donate to Faith's rehabilitaiton. Since she is a personal rescue, donations are not tax deductable. If you are ok with that and still wish to donate, checks can be sent to the following address: (and of course if you wish to donate to the retired racehorses you can do that as well - please specify)



Faith - safe at home, 3 days after being rescued



MNRRP

3850 182nd St E

Prior Lake, MN 55379

Thank You


We are also accepting bags of Purina Equine Senior feed,

More Topper....

I know many of you enjoy the updates on Topper and love to see photos. These were taken earlier this week. Topper also went to a clinic at Cleary Lake, where he was supposed to be the model "lame" horse. To our surprise, he was sound.  I will be monitoring him for another month before we'll be ready to let him got to an adoptive home. If interested please contact me at retiredracehroses@yahoo.com . If you would like to donate in honor of Topper, please mail checks to

MNRRP 3850 182nd St E, Prior Lake, MN 55372.

Many of you know his rehab and recovery was expensive and even the smallest of donations are greatly appreciated.

Topper, in front, with Scotty and Noelle

Topper jumping bushes

(left to right)
Topper, Zanzi the rescue arab, Scotty, Noelle, and Moses (retired racehorses) and Titan the TB feeldot rescue. If you look closely you can see them chasing the resident farm dog, Dixie.

For those of you following Topper's story.....

Here are photos of him in the pasture yesterday.

Nice horses still needing homes for winter

We still have horses looking for homes this winter -

Twister - Weanling TB colt - have JC papers ready to go. Sweet, quiet, easy to handle. Good 4H project. Won't get too tall. Slightly toed out in front but will not effect recreational or low level performance career. Adoption fee waived with small donation of hay, grain, beet pulp etc.

Topper - Miracle horse. Recovering from severe abscesses, he is still sore. Has reverse shoes now and getting correctivly trimmed. Super sweet horse with loads of potential. You can lead him around with a rope. Quiet and friendly - will make a great youth horse once re-trained. Aprox 15.3h. 4yr gelding. Adoption fee waived with small donation of hay, grain, beet pulp etc.

Noelle - Standardbred mare. Anyone can ride her in the arena. Safe, quiet and forgiving. She was a pacer and has a smooth gait. 21 yrs - Does well with routine, needs grain 2x daily and good hay. She is boss mare. Good trail horse, you'd never know she's older. Really a nice mare and fun to ride. Adoption fee waived with small donation of hay, grain, beet pulp, etc. Aprox 15.2h

Rigalo - 10 yr grey TB gelding. This guy needs a job! He's been sitting around bored in the pasture for a couple years. Was raced as a youngster and has been used for lessons for a few years. Has also been on trail rides. I could see this guy as a barrel racer! 100% sound. Will need someone with experience to remind him of his job. Sweet personality, easy to handle, easy keeper - just an all around nice horse. Cribs but it's controlled with a collar. $600

Westley - Awesome TB gelding just being restarted under saddle. Sound, healthy, athletic, everything you'd want in a horse. Easy going, hacks out nice on the trails. Has been free jumped and shows a lot of potential as a jumper. Could really go just about any direction at this point. Willing and brave. 16h. 6yrs. $1500

Free horses!!!

MNRRP is waiving the adoption fee on the following wonderful horses. Each is available FREE to approved homes with a contract- the catch being we are asking a small donation to the program in return. This could be monetary, or bags of feed, beet pulp or bales of hay. Whatever you feel can be donated.

 "Hidden Character"  City is a 2005 16.1h, TB gelding who won nearly $60K on the track. He was retired this past fall and would benefit from the winter off. He has arthritis in his front right knee but will be suitable for recreational riding. City has an awesome personality, is easy to handle and gets along well in a herd. He will be easy to re-train and has a laid back attitude. Give him some time off and watch him blossom!

"Twister"  Weanling Tb colt. Papers are in order for registration. Sire is Late Edition out of an Irish bred mare. Twister was born with a crooked front leg - in just the short time I've had him, combined with corrective trimming, he's straightened out considerably. He will always toe out slightly on the front, but it will not effect his ability to be a riding or performance horse. He has a sweet personality and is easy to handle. He's halter broke and he leads well. He's been out in the pasture with the boys enjoying his childhood. He's so laid back I can see him being a kid's 4H project.

"My Topper" 2007 TB gelding -  If you have read our previous blog, Topper is the miracle horse. He's been fighting abscesses and now is on the mend. I'm hoping to find someone with a kind heart who will want to take Topper in and continue his rehab process. He doesn't need much - a pasture during the day, and a stall at night, and a watchful eye on his feet, along with correct hoof care. He has a lot to offer and is a very special horse. This guy needs a chance - with the winter off, he could be riding by spring. Eventually I think he's going to make a phenomenal kids horse. Topper won over $23K on the track and retired this fall.

"Hot Sax"  2003 TB mare - Sax was a recent feedlot rescue. Over the years she's won nearly $100K for her owners. Unfortunately, she has had a few leg issues along the way. We took films on her and she shows an old cannon splint and some ankle chips along with arthritis. Sax is a sweet mare, and would be ok living in someone's pasture as a companion horse. As of now we are planning on having her euthanized unless we can find a home for her.

ADOPTION FEES REDUCED FOR WINTER!

"Almost Dangerous"  Don't let the name scare you - Addie is as sweet as they come. She is 5yrs old and just doesn't want to race anymore. She bowed her RF tendon at 2, rehabbed and raced sound for 3 years. It's a low bow and doesn't effect her at all. She will be sound for any discipline - and we could see her excelling in Dressage or as a Hunter/Jumper. Addie is aprox 16.1h with excellent conformation and great breeding. She is by Prime Timber out of Private Pouf. Addie is available through MNRRP for $500 and located in Shakopee.

Proxy Fight" - This guy is absolutely stunning and amazingly athletic! Rigalo, as he's know around the barn, is a 10 yr grey TB gelding who was retired at 3 from racing. He has been re-trained and used in lessons for the past 5 years. He was also used as a trail horse for one season; however, he prefers to be in the arena. He has been free jumped and shows a lot of potential and talent. This horse can go in any direction. He does need a knowledgeable rider as we were told he does know his stuff. He has an extended trot to DIE for!!! Rigalo is a bit out of shape at the moment, but could be in the show ring by the fall. He's had only the best care and his owner donated him to MNRRP to ensure he found a wonderful home. Rigalo is aprox 15.3h and has substantial bone. He is an easy keeper and kept out on pasture. He is super easy to be around and his only vice is that he cribs on the fences. Rigalo is available for $600 and is located in Shakopee

Another wonderful horse available for adoption.....

AVAILABLE!!!
Slow Down Sones is a 16h, 6yr old Thoroughbred gelding who retired from racing in September - "Westley" as he's known around the barn, has been re-started under saddle and has a solid walk, trot, and canter both directions. He is soft in the mouth and responsive and willing to learn. He has jumped cross rails under saddle and he also shows a lot of potential free jumping as well. Westley has been on many trail rides and is not spooky or reactive. He'll just hack right down the trail or road. This horse is full of personality and really wants to show off, but is sweet and easy to handle. First day he went out and jumped a 3ft branch in the middle of the pasture, just for fun! He has great ground manners and can really excel in any direction.  He has been evaluated sound and healthy. Westley's adoption fee is $1500.
Watch Westley's video .

Special thanks to Dark Horse Farm for fostering and working with this wonderful horse!!!

Do you believe in miracles?

This last week was proof miracles do exist.

Topper leading his last race - June, 2011

At just 4 years old, retired racehorse, My Topper had his entire life in front of him. He retired relatively sound and spent a couple weeks relaxing in the pasture upon his arrival here in late June. Shortly after, he became extremely sore and was unable to walk. Abscesses can be common in recently retired racehorses, as their feet and bodies adjust to barefoot, outside living and I thought nothing more of it. In early July, Topper went on stall rest and I began soaking his foot with epsom salt. His pain seemed centered in his front left foot; however, some days he exhibited pain on his front right. I alternated soaking and started wrapping with magna paste and animalintex, trying to draw out whatever infection that might have been in there. This process went on for a couple months and finally Dr Selvig was able to spot, and open an extremely deep abscess in his toe. This abscess went all the way down to his sensitive tissue, no wonder why he was so sore.



Topper with Daria

 Typically, after an abscess is drained, the horse will begin to feel a lot better. This was not the case with Topper. He had his good days and he had his bad days. His good days consisted of being able to step out of his stall and stand in the isle, in the foundered position, shaking. His bad days he seemed to spend more time laying down than standing up and because of this he developed bed sores on his hocks.  Dr Selvig monitored his progress and we noticed his white line was extremely en flamed and red. Although is left front was still bothering him, his right front seemed worse now. After numerous farrier visits and consultations, nothing was found in the foot. I kept boots on to try to keep him comfortable but nothing seemed to help. Topper's bad days seemed to out number his good and soon, all he was having was bad days. It was painful to watch and I didn't think I could take much more of it. We had been buting him daily for such a long time and it just didn't seem to be helping at all. It was not looking good for Topper.

A couple of days ago, Dr Selvig came out to check on him and discuss our options. She noticed his coffin bone had started to possibly drop (without films it was impossible to know for sure though). He was having one of his bad days and was not able to even lift his feet at all. Once lifted he'd bend down, almost in a bowing position, just to relieve the pressure. He stood in the barn isle, shaking and hunched up, clearly in pain. Although I have seen this many times with him, almost on a daily basis, I was glad Dr Selvig and the others there that night were able to see the extent of it.  He was diagnosed with acute laminitis, which could have been caused by compensating for the severe abscess on his front left, or he could have possibly been laminic prior and that could have caused the abscess. Either way, the decision was made to bring him to the clinic and have him euthanized the following day.



Daria riding Topper bareback before he became sore



I am not much of a crier. In fact, only a few days earlier we had adopted a wonderful, sound and healthy horse out to a great woman, only to have him die in her pasture 12 hours later. Colic was suspected, but without a necropsy there was no way to be sure. Such a sudden and sad death,  my heart hurt, but I didn't cry. Now here I was with Topper, sobbing into his mane like a little child. I did not want to lose this horse. My daughter and I were there to cheer him on for his last race. We took him home and rode him all around. I spent countless hours doctoring him. I felt like such a failure but I had done everything possible for this horse. There was nothing more to do except help him on his next journey over the rainbow bridge.

I would miss his goofy personality. The funny faces he'd make in his stall before feeding time, the way he would pull his hay out of the top of his hay bunk so he could eat it off the floor instead. I would miss his daily greetings (he was very talkative) and I'd miss how he'd bury his head in my chest, almost hugging me. I have had to euthanize horses in the past - never has one been so difficult. Although I do not practice religion on a daily basis, what could it hurt to ask for help? Possibly a miracle?

The next afternoon I brushed him in his stall, gave him treats and hugged him. He stood like a statue, as he always did. I opened the trailer doors, got his last meal ready and proceeded to halter him with the best looking halter I could find in the barn. I cut a small lock of his tail off to keep as a reminder and opened the stall webbing to lead him out. What happened next was amazing, if not impossible. Topper pushed through the webbing, nearly knocking me down. As that happened I lost grip on the lead rope and it slid out of my hands as he trotted down the isle of the barn. He stopped a few steps later and looked back as if to say "I'm fine, see?".  I stood there in awe thinking did that really just happen? I walked up to him, grabbed the lead and led him up and down the barn isle. He walked cautiously, but with a purpose. There was hardly a head bob. This was a horse that the previous night, could not stand up without shaking, hunching or stretching out. He had difficulty walking in his stall from the bucket to the feeder and now he just trotted down the isle and was walking normally?  I have not seen this horse walk normal for nearly 4 months. Topper had just bought himself more time.

Topper enjoying pasture life again

It has only been a couple of days but Topper continues to walk normally and make progress. The following day, he was bucking  and rearing in his stall. When I took him for his walk he was rearing and squeeling on the end of the lead. Yesterday he enjoyed the entire day in the pasture. I couldn't be happier. Although we cannot explain this amazing and drastic recovery, I'm not really looking for an explanation. I'll take what I can get - in this case, a miracle.

Topper's recovery took it's toll on our program, financially. If you feel compelled to donate in his honor, checks can be sent to MNRRP, 3850 182nd St E, Prior Lake, MN 55372

Donations are tax deductible.

The sad reality; An auction, a Paint, a feedlot, and some OTTB's

If you have not yet read Ted Grevelis' blog about his adventures saving an OTTB with us at a recent auction, I'd like to direct you to that post first. You can find it here: http://grevelisracing.blogspot.com/2011/09/racehorses-responsibility-and-heroines.html

It's important that you read his blog prior to mine as it sets up the second chapter of this twisted story which I will be telling here shortly. It's also important to know that I will not be naming names on this blog.  It's been suggested that I should "out" the individuals involved, however this really does no good for the horses in the long run. That said, I will be working hard to make some changes in the backside operations, I promise you that. For those of you who are upset by what we did, NEWS FLASH - MNRRP is not going anywhere.

Rewind to last Tuesday  (a readers digest version of Ted's blog & short education).



Emaciated pony rescued from the auction

MNRRP and friends had attended a local auction where we were able to outbid the kill buyer for a 9yr old OTTB gelding.  My nearly 13 yr old daughter, a veteran auction goer, spent her own money to rescue an elderly, emaciated pony mare as well. It was a successful night. Browsing the loose horse pen, a 16+h paint - saddlebred cross caught our eyes and stole our hearts. We watched as he was sold by the pound to the kill buyer. Being I have frequented this venue for nearly 12 years, rescuing countless horses of all breeds, I am familiar with the operations. It is not the first time I've recovered a horse that has haunted me after an auction and I am well aware you need to act fast. Little did I know this paint horse would lead us to much bigger things.

 For those who aren't familiar with auctions, the loose horses bought by the dealers, are typically sent to one of two local feedlots where they await a truck that will take them on their final journey south. They sometimes stop along the way, usually in Oklahoma, and perhaps will run through another auction - again loose and sold by the pound. The horses then continue the trip across the border into Mexico where they arrive at a slaughterhouse, await a captive bolt to the head, rendering, and shipment overseas for human consumption. It's the sad reality of overbreeding and irresponsible horse ownership. This does not just occur in the racing industry, but is all encompassing.



Knowing my time was limited, Wednesday afternoon I went back for the paint. What I found bothered me so much it has taken me nearly a week to regain composure and compile my thoughts. A lot of 5 young Thoroughbreds had just been dropped off. This was my greatest nightmare and very much a valid concern being Canterbury's live racing season had wrapped up the previous Sunday. Just the night before I was ecstatic not encountering any recent retirees at the auction, now I was faced with the reality that someone had bypassed the auction altogether and dumped them directly at the feedlot.

Luckily Thoroughbreds are easily traced by tattoos on the inside of their upper lips and it didn't take very long to find out who these horses were and who had them last. In the small pen, there were three chestnut mares, a smaller bay gelding, and a tall black gelding. In addition to those we discovered another tattooed TB in the back lot who we found to be an unraced Kansas bred. The five in the pen still had their racing shoes on and research showed a couple had raced closing day. Four had not amounted to much as racehorses, but one mare had started 67 starts and won over $98K for her owners. She had big ankles and a swagger to her walk - clearly lame.



3 yr old bay gelding at the feedlot



One of the geldings, a 3 year old, looked very familiar to me and after his tattoo confirmed his name, I realized the trainer had asked me to take the horse into the program a few days earlier. I had been out to the barn, taken photos of the horse, and marketed him in various locations. Just the day prior, I sent the trainer a message asking if he could drop the horse off at my barn that Thursday. The reply I received was that he was sold to someone looking for a "good riding horse". Interestingly enough, the conversation that took place while I was photographing the horse was a warning not to sell the horse to a certain individual who peruses the backside and offers a couple hundred dollars per horse.

The "dealer", along with a little cash, offers the promise of finding the horse a good home.  Sometimes it's someone who is looking for a riding horse, sometimes it's a polo operation, and sometimes it's a hunter jumper home. Unfortunately his idea of a good home is dropping them off at the feedlot for quick cash. Why not? It's fast, it's easy, it pays, and nobody is the wiser. The owner or trainer doesn't have to pay for the horse anymore, and everyone sleeps well at night. Ignorance is bliss, right?  One of the five horses was confirmed to have been given to him, again, with the promise of a polo home in another state. He even went so far as to ensure he got the Jockey Club papers (which were not given to the feedlot). He then loaded this horse on his trailer (along with the bay gelding and 3 others he'd collected) and hauled  30 minutes south to the feedlot where he cashed in an easy $200. By my estimate, this gentleman  probably scored close to $800-$900 at the feedlot , if not more. This is fraud, anyway you look at it. It's one thing if he was honest as to where they were going, another if he deliberately misled them. Which appears to have been the case in multiple incidences.

The rescued Paint gelding

Fast forward a few hours -  the paint gelding was home and I was using the power of social media to try to save the Thoroughbreds. I knew I only had enough money to cover the bail for one horse, saving any more would be financially irresponsible, given our lack of donations. I headed back to the feedlot, knowing the slaughter truck was arriving any time. I met a friend and fellow MNRRP supporter out there only to find the slaughter truck backed up to the building, already half full. We rushed inside to find horses being weighed and loaded. On the scale was one of the chestnut TB mares. In line to be loaded was another. Just at that moment my phone rang and I got the call that would change the lives of these horses forever. It was a longtime supporter of MNRRP, and President of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association, giving me the go ahead to save as many as $1000 would cover. At $300 per head, and MNRRP covering the remainder, we were able to save four. The two chestnut mares were unloaded and put in a separate pen with another chestnut mare and the bay gelding.



Playing God is not easy. I struggle with it each time I see multiple horses and can only save one or two. Which one's life is more valuable than the other? Do you save the crippled older mare who raced 67 times? Is winning $98,000 enough to secure a retirement, or are her big ankles and limp a death sentence? Do you save the young flashy gelding who you know has a much better chance at being adopted and bringing in a nice adoption fee for the program? How do you choose? It's difficult and believe me, I lose sleep over it each time I am forced to do it.

The three chestnut mares enjoying their second chance at life

In this case we were able to save the three chestnut mares, including the lame one, and the bay gelding that was promised to the program earlier in the week. Although the fate is uncertain for the Kansas bred and the black gelding, the reality is we cannot save them all. It does, however matter to the ones we did save... and that keeps us moving forward. This experience was trying for me. These are horses I know, I've watched them race, I know the trainers. It saddens me knowing the breeders, pleading for them to take the horse back to avoid having it's young life ended in a slaughter house, only to be met with and excuse of not having enough room or money or time. Trust me, I have none of these... yet when push comes to shove I make it work.  Whatever the excuse, it's not good enough for me! Take responsibility! Do what you can for these horses - even if it means skipping your Caribou coffee for a week - send $25. That's 6 bales of hay!!! It's easy to turn the other cheek and let someone else clean up the mess. It's easy to pass the blame onto others. Don't do what's easy, do what's right.

If you feel compelled to donate, the address to do so is

MNRRP



3850 182nd St E

Prior Lake, MN 55372

Your donations are tax deductible and no donation is too small.





Available horses - UPDATED

Although I really wanted to write about another topic today since the experience is fresh in my head, I thought I'd better get an updated list of available horses out there. We have some really nice horses available right now, many of them sound.

Money Train - 9 yr old TB gelding that has been retired from racing for a while. He is slightly foot sore from not having shoes, but is otherwise sound. Cash has been used for endurance riding and has logged hundreds of miles on the competitive trail circuit. He stands aprox 16h with a nice build. He's easy to handle and gets along well in a herd. Through no fault of his own, Cash ended up at an auction where we found him and outbid the kill buyer. He's a nice horse and will make someone really happy. He's very well trained, is responsive and has a light mouth. Cash is located in Prior Lake and he is available for $700

Revenge Tea -  ADOPTED!!  5 yr old chestnut mare who just retired from racing. She's a bit body sore but rode very nicely under saddle. I think with a little time off to relax this mare will blossom. She is very petite, standing about 15h, with more of a QH build. She is easy to handle and I see quite a bit of potential in this mare. She has a good mind and will be easy to retrain. We had her WTC both directions with no issues.She is a cribber. Tea is located in Prior Lake and is available for $400

Tigers Victory - ADOPTED!!  3 yr old chestnut TB mare, also just retired from racing. She is sound and extremely athletic although we have not had a chance to ride her. She is a smaller mare, aprox 15.1h with a lovely, refined build. Tiger has the most beautiful face, very feminine and dainty. She's super easy to handle. I could see her as a dressage mare although she really could go just about any direction. Tiger is in Prior Lake and is available for $500

Hot Sax - 8 yr old chestnut TB mare. Still under evaluation. Pasture sound, but has a sore stifle or hip. Sweet mare who won over $98K for various owners/trainers. She was found in a feedlot, awaiting shipment to Mexico. We thought after 67 starts she had earned her retirement no mater what her soundness issues were. Sax is easy to handle and would love to live our her days in your pasture. Sax's adoption fee is waived with a small donation to MNRRP. She is in Prior Lake.

Danubes Edition - ADOPTION PENDING!! 3 yr old bay TB gelding. Very sweet boy who's racing career just ended. He is sound and rides really well. Very accepting. He's quiet and easy to handle and would be the perfect size for pony club. He stands aprox 15.2h. Danny is a really cute mover and has a ton of potential. Very sensible and bold. He is in Prior Lake and available for $600

Buca Primo - 4 yr old bay TB gelding. I cannot say enough about this guy! He has personality, manners, class, and athleticism. Although he retired this year with a knee chip, he flexed and jogged totally sound.The chip is one which won't require surgery and he will have no problem excelling in a competitive performance career. He should have a little time off before starting his retraining however.  Luke stands about 16h and absolutely floats when he trots. He has so much suspension  and is a blast to ride. Very quiet and accepting and would make a really nice youth horse. Luke also has fluid above his other knee from an accident as a baby, which has been checked and it's completely cosmetic. We have his films, and they have been evaluated by Dr. Selvig. Although his knee is a bit unsightly, if you can look past that, you have yourself a superstar. He gets along well in the pasture and loves attention. Luke is in Prior Lake and available for $700

Town Victory -  ADOPTED!! Stunning 3yr old TB gelding. This guy is HUGE! Standing at least 17h and sound, this guy can do anything. He retired from racing due to having a bad flapper, however this will not effect a high level performance career. He has been evaluated by a U of M vet and is ready for a new career. He comes from a wonderful owner and a caring trainer. He was never pushed or ran hard, he simply cannot perform as a racehorse and the owner chose to retire him. This is her baby and we have been asked to take special care in placing him. Sonny is available for $800 and is located in Shakopee.

"This Creek Runs" -  Creek is a 3yr TB gelding that has been retired from racing. He's already started his re-training and is going along really well. He is about 15.2h and very easy to handle. He will still require an experienced rider under saddle to finish him out. We could see him excelling in Dressage or Low Hunter. He is slightly off on the LF. This handsome gelding is available for $400. Contact Emily Barker at 952-212-1416. Creek is located in Shakopee.

"Proxy Fight" - This guy is absolutely stunning and amazingly athletic! Rigalo, as he's know around the barn, is a 10 yr TB gelding who was retired at 3 from racing. He has been re-trained and used in lessons for the past 5 years. He was also used as a trail horse for one season; however, he prefers to be in the arena. He has been free jumped and shows a lot of potential and talent. This horse can go in any direction. He does need a knowledgeable rider as we were told he does know his stuff. He has an extended trot to DIE for!!! Rigalo is a bit out of shape at the moment, but could be in the show ring by the fall. He's had only the best care and his owner donated him to MNRRP to ensure he found a wonderful home. Rigalo is aprox 15.3h and has substantial bone. He is an easy keeper and kept out on pasture. He is super easy to be around and his only vice is that he cribs on the fences. Rigalo is available for $800 and is located in Shakopee.

                                                         ADOPTED!!  "Jump to the Rescue" -  Impeccably bred, Jumpy is a 4yr TB filly who has a ton of potential. She stands at least 16h and has excellent conformation. Jumpy just retired sound from racing and is ready to start her re-training. She is exceptionally quiet for a youngster and is very easy to handle. She could really excel in any direction, even as a broodmare if desired. Jumpy is by Jump Start out of Rescue Mission and if you know bloodlines, you'll recognize she's something special. She is available through our program for $600 and is located in Shakopee.

"Almost Dangerous" - Don't let the name scare you - Addie is as sweet as they come. She is 5yrs old and just doesn't want to race anymore. She bowed her RF tendon at 2, rehabbed and raced sound for 3 years. It's a low bow and doesn't effect her at all. She will be sound for any discipline - and we could see her excelling in Dressage or as a Hunter/Jumper. Addie is aprox 16.2h with excellent conformation and great breeding. She is by Prime Timber out of Private Pouf. Addie is available through MNRRP for $500 and located in Shakopee.

"Hidden Character", known in the barn as City, is gorgeous and he knows it.  He is 16.1+h and will be suitable for recreational riding after a little time off. He did well on the racetrack for his owner and trainer and in return they retired him into our program, hoping to find him a good home and a new career.  City just arrived and we are just getting to know him. He has become a giant puppy dog and is the kids' favorite around the farm due to his good, easy going personality. City loves apples and is always at the gait looking for attention. Due to past injury to his right knee, he will not be a high level performance horse, but will look extremely flashy hacking down the trails or even possibly in the dressage arena.  City is a little thin after coming off his racing career, but he's gaining weight nicely. He is currently a little bumpy as he's adjusting to all the bugs. City is located in Prior Lake and his adoption fee is waived with a small donation to the program.

"Impress Cache"  20 yr brown mare. Aprox 15.2h. "Robin" as we call her is a very sweet mare who's had a big run of bad luck. We originally found her at an auction and were unable to buy her. We then found her at a feedlot and watched her get loaded on a trailer bound for Mexico. Upon our return to the feedlot the next day, we discovered she had been unloaded as the trailer was too full. We decided we needed to buy her and she's been sitting in my pasture ever since. In her younger years, Robin was a racehorse. As of late, she's been a broodmare. She gets along with other horses, is super easy to handle and we've even been on her. She would need a refresher but there is no reason she can't be someone's recreational riding horse. She stands tied, accepts a saddle/bridle/rider and has no vices. Really a sweetie who deserves a home of her own. Robin's adoption fee is waived with a small donation to our program. She is located in Prior Lake.

 "Clo Jo"  Noelle is a 20 yr bay Standardbred mare. Aprox 15.3h. We originally found Noelle at a feedlot, saw she was tattooed and brought her home. We discovered she is extremely well broke, and GAITED! She does walk, trot, gait, and canter. Noelle was a pacer in her younger years and also had one filly. She had been used as a family horse until they sold her at auction where she was bought by a dealer and shipped to the feedlot. ANYONE can ride this horse in the arena or around the farm. She's been ridden by kids and beginners alike. On trail she does need someone with a bit more experience as she does have a big, ground covering walk which can be intimidating. Noelle is a sweet girl, loves being doted over and brushed. She does have a couple "special needs" which really aren't that big of a deal. Noelle does best when separated from the herd. She does well with other horses, but she is lead mare and will worry about the others at all times. She tends to get a bit buddy sour and will not eat her grain when separated. We've found she does best in her own paddock where she can eat her grain at her convenience. She is on the thin side, as she lost weight while she was sick - but she is healthy now and ready for a new home. She will need to continue to get grain 2x daily. Noelle is really an awesome horse - very well broke. A great addition as a kids horse, for the "spare" mount, or husband horse. $300. Noelle is located in Prior Lake.

"Twister"  Weanling Thoroughbred bay colt. Sired by Late Edition, Twister is a very quiet, sensible colt. He came from a reputable breeding farm where his breeders thought he'd be better suited for recreational riding rather than racing. Twister's front right leg turns out slightly, which shouldn't effect any low level performance career. He is such a sweetie. Easy to catch, halter, handle, and he leads and ties. Twister is free to a good, approved home with a small donation to MNRRP. Twister is in Prior Lake.