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Cream Ridge, NJ – 8/20/2023–The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, (SRF) newsletter was only recently released, but there is always more news to share.
The recent press release by the United Horse Coalition directed folks to reputable organizations to obtain a horse rather than helping those in kill pens. SRF aims to help define reputable. It will bring together as much information as possible on organizations and their practices to give easy transparency of the differences. Based on this information, one can decide what reputable means to them. SRF’s goals, among others, will include highlighting adoption and rescue programs that practice “lifetime welfare”; materials to assist organizations and individuals in finding a safe, lifetime home; adoption contract suggestions; important screening steps; follow-up guidelines; and a way for individuals to help reduce the number of horses being shipped for slaughter. This project has been a sizeable undertaking and appears to be the first of its kind, sharing transparency in one place, and helping programs and people do the right thing.
There is a desperate need to make “lifetime welfare” the focus and the narrative. SRF possesses three decades of this type of work with more than 5,000 adoptions with “lifetime welfare” as part of its mission. The introduction to this initiative will be available soon.
The Millstone Elks will be hosting their SRF Golf Outing on Monday, October 16, 2023. Held at the Cream Ridge, NJ golf course, cocktails and dinner, and more fun will continue at their lodge just a few miles away! Please be a hole sponsor and join us for a good time for a great cause, and bring a friend!
How many people truly love horses? The number is not overflowing, so please make a difference with your generous gift when Giving Tuesday is upon us soon. Five hundred twenty horses need your help. SRF cannot do this without you.
On Saturday, November 11, SRF will host Meet The Horses-Holiday Fun at the Farm! It has been three years of trying to provide another wonderful event. Covid and weather caused issues with dates and feasibility due to these circumstances. Eighty horses will be present to meet. Some will be under saddle, there will be holiday-themed enjoyment including roasting marshmallows, a food truck, line dancing instruction and music, a tour of the farm, holiday shopping, and much more. Save the date!
The recent sizeable group of Standardbreds at risk for slaughter that SRF rescued brought a few desperate horses to our care. One was Kilmartin B Low, a 14 year old gelding. We took him in quickly, hoping he had a chance to survive his neglect. We are so grateful to our veterinarian friend in North NJ who opened her heart to him as a loving foster. She has nursed several for SRF with wonderful results. After 10 days of immediate care in quarantine, and rehydration, Marty was sent to her for rehabilitation. Kilmartin B Low now has his journey on Facebook, his own page, Kilmartin B Low. You can follow his recovery with a smile!
Cancun Time was lucky to have the help of SRF supporters several years ago when he was at risk. Our longest, and very loving foster home took him in several years ago. Cancun thrived but, had only two loves, his foster, and his companion buddy. When his buddy recently passed, Cancun had a severe personality change. He stopped eating, began weaving, sulked, and lost his will to live. Several attempts were made to re-buddy him but all failed. SRF brought him to the farm in Cream Ridge to observe and find other ways to help him. After a very short time and a slow introduction, Cancun buddied up with another gelding. He is wooing the staff and volunteers with snuggles; and is filling out, eating like a horse! His foster dad is so relieved to know that he is thriving again! We hear stories of so many different animals that suffer from losing a friend, horses, dogs, cats, cows, rabbits, and others. When one has a heart that is expected.
Our blind SRF foster horse Franklin is doing well. His foster home in Mn shared, “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to foster this wonderful gelding for you, and thank you for the life-changing work you make possible for these magnificent trotters and pacers.”
Frankie still has his eyes but his sight is gone. He is under saddle and loves trail riding. He trusts his rider, it’s amazing. Frankie is ready for a home!
Tooth Fairy Help
SRF’s has many well-known, and big-money winners, and of course, some that tried but fell short on the oval. Some are in their late twenties, such as Swinging Glory. Many need the dentist, they have points causing mouth sores, loose teeth needing extraction, broken teeth, and other issues. There are 34 in need of the person with the rasp in NJ alone. We hope you choose to send a gift so we can get them tended to. The cost is $75-175 for each one depending on their needs. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Every day SRF changes a life thanks to its supporters. We wish our very special friends who make life happen a most enjoyable last few weeks of summer.
