It’s a good day, 61 horses safe from slaughter

Cream Ridge, NJ – August 25, 2021 – All 61 Standardbreds tagged for slaughter are now safe from such a horrific end. The Standardbred Retirement Foundation’s (SRF) effort to get this done was met with many moments of concern, but the people in this horse-loving village made it happen.

So many people share how much they love horses, but when it comes to exercising that love to save an animal in such need, sincerity is what saves a life. These horses are blessed with such friends who stepped up for them, all 61 of them.

SRF had twelve volunteers and three staff on this effort since last Friday, all through the weekend. The details and complexity in an effort such as this are mind-boggling. There were three Facebook pages generating messages and questions; new posts and updates being coordinated; Twitter and Instagram accounts were updated; 122 Paypal invoices were generated; updating the website was necessary; calculating donations and applying some for certain horses in need.

Press Releases were provided; noting verbal offers, email offers and messages; noting home and foster offers; screening applications to foster, and adopt; locating quarantine; judging the condition of each horse from mere photos and video to determine medical needs; scheduling quarantine facilities that would best provide for their needs; arranging transportation to several different facilities, and contacting veterinarians for those needing immediate help were many of the necessities.

In the next few days blacksmiths and dentists will be brought in, as well as veterinarians as needed. Already, there is one horse who is exhibiting signs of illness, a veterinarian is scheduled. All facilities where horses are quarantined are watching the horses for signs as well, as they were crammed in together.

In about thirty days these horses will be moved again, rehabilitation will continue for most, a couple will likely need a companion home, and many will get under saddle after rehab. In the past, horses such as these, facing slaughter, went on to serve the Newark, NJ Mounted Patrol Unit.

We never know the talent among these throwaways. The search for homes and fosters started last Friday and will not stop until completed. To offer a home or foster home: If already approved as an adopter or foster home please email SRF SRFadoption@gmail.com. Others please go to: www.adoptahorse.org/applications-forms-volunteer to provide your information or call SRF at 609 738-3255

Help for the expense of an emergency veterinary visit is appreciated as at least one horse is quite ill. The effort is short $1,350 in donations, it seems small compared to the initial number, but nonetheless still needed. Ninety-two percent of donations to assist these horses comes from individuals who care about these animals. Phone 609-738 3255 Visit: www.adoptahorse.org/, email is SRFassist@gmail.com.

The United States Trotting Association, (USTA) and their program STA will not help its Standardbreds tagged for slaughter, the horses with the greatest need. For 32 years SRF has been stepping up for these noble animals through the help of individuals who love them.

Many owners have stepped up to take a horse back they had owned at one time in the past, or have bred. SRF applauds and thanks all who helped to change the the lives of these hard-working warriors that have given so much. Standardbred Retirement Foundation, helping Standardbreds exclusively whether young, aged, injured, or neglected; providing lifetime follow-up, so no horse is ever at risk again. S

RF is the largest Standardbred adoption program organization in the US and is currently feeding and caring for 454 Standardbreds today.

From the Standardbred Retirement Foundation