Retired Racehorses Starve After Famous Charity Fails Them

More than 1,000 retired champion racehorses were found starving and neglected on 25 farms that were supposed to protect them, after one of the world’s largest equine rescue organizations responsible for their care failed to pay for their upkeep.

The New York Times reported, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, based in Saratoga Springs, NY is one of the largest and most well-funded private organizations in the world dedicated to the care of former racehorses. Over the years, the foundation has received millions of dollars in donations.

“But over the past two years, according to the foundation’s financial disclosure documents, it has been operating at a deficit, and as a result has not reliably been paying the 25 farms it contracts with to oversee the retired horses,” said The New York Times.

The foundation’s largest supporter — the estate of breeder Paul Mellon — became concerned about the horses after hearing complaints from the caretakers and started an investigation. The estate, which has donated a total of $7 million to TRF since 2001, hired Dr. Stacey Huntington DVM to evaluate the 1,000 horses.

Here are Dr. Huntington’s findings:

One farm had only 47 of the 63 thoroughbreds that were supposed to be in their care and those horses were emaciated and in poor condition. It is suspected the missing horses starved to death. The farm was reported to the local sheriff’s department for neglect.
25 percent of the horses at another facility needed some kind of urgent veterinary care.
One horse at a farm was in such bad shape that it had to be euthanized.
Retired equines were forced to eat cattle feed that contained an ingredient toxic to horses.
Other horses were fed on just $3 a day.

All of the 700 horses examined by Dr. Huntington were in deplorable conditions and their caretakers at the 25 farms were poorly educated about their needs.

“The horses are getting the short end of the stick from this group that advertises itself as advocates of horses,” Dr. Huntington said.

TRF owed each of the farms between $10,000 – $35,000 in back payments. Many of the caretakers said they were doing the best they could and provided for the horses with their own resources. Others felt blackmailed by TRF because they were being forced to take less money than promised to them.

The Mellon Estate has stepped forward to help with funding for the horses.

On Friday George Grayson, president of TRF told the New York Times, “It’s been a struggle to keep up with the costs associated with a large and aging horse population, at a time when the economy and giving is down. Everybody on the board takes any allegation seriously, and anything less than positive circumstances for the horses are unacceptable. When we’ve been made aware of issues, we have responded quickly, and we will on this.”

However, on Monday officers of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation disputed the claims against them and said the findings in Dr. Huntington’s report were “mischaracterized.” They admitted only that the economy had hindered its ability to raise money.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Lisa Z.

3:32PM PDT on Apr 5, 2011

Shared on Facebook!!! :(

send a green star

Karren E.

10:25AM PDT on Apr 5, 2011

i no these places are vital but at the end of the day they failed this horse i have horses my self so no how expensive it is to afford there upkeep if my animals were starving i would beg,steal & borrow to make sure they were fed

Jacqueline H.

12:01PM PDT on Apr 1, 2011

That's so sad!
Why didn't they made public they had not enough money for the horses upkeep ?
The poor horses. First they had to run 'til they couldn't run anymore and then they had to starve. That simply isn't fair.

Amber B.

2:02PM PDT on Mar 31, 2011

horrible!

Claire M.

2:04AM PDT on Mar 29, 2011

I'm sorry not receiving money does not make it ok to starve the horses to death. The facilities should have gone public or to court long before it got this bad.

Also, some accountability needs to be investigated on the money trail. Ill bet some of it when to places it shouldn't have.

Diane L.

11:56PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Well said, Ernie, and exactly what I suggested previously, and I do believe, a few others. I know the IRS does take portions of the purse........they're required to because it's INCOME, but in that case, it's just KEPT by the IRS until tax returns are filed, and if the farm shows massive losses, they are weighed against each other, as with any business. I think the laws could easily be amended to also include just that.........another 10% going straight to a retirement fund. Such a fund is already set up, by The Jockey Club, but it's voluntary. It IS there, and available for anyone to contribute to. As you said, though, it SHOULD be mandatory.

Not all former racehorses are just "tossed out like garbage" as implied. If they are retired to stud or the broodmare band, they ARE groomed and attended to, maybe a bit differently than when raced, as obviously, they wouldn't need to be bathed everyday after exercise, etc. They continue to get regular farrier care, vaccinations and the rest. Yes, far too many do not, however. I do wonder if anyone ever does the research to find the percentage of TB's that do end their careers with foot and leg injuries vs. the average pleasure horse and/or horse used for gaming or any other sport involving them? While they're on the track, however, trust me, they receive far BETTER care than the average pleasure horse, who MAY see a farrier twice a year, and MIGHT get it's teeth floated IF the owner notices an issue.

Ernie M.

11:53AM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

if we are going to allow the inhumane practice of horse racing the government should hold 10% of every purse for the care and treatment of retired race horses. so many of these animals are ran to the ground and probably suffer from foot and knee problems. accustomed to daily care when racing are shuned after they are past their ability to make the owners any money.

Justina G.

6:40PM PDT on Mar 27, 2011

So sad! these animals didnt deserve it.

mari s.

12:03PM PDT on Mar 27, 2011

EVERYONE involved in the care taking of these horses is responsible -- when you need help, whether it be financial or otherwise, you must reach out -- to deprive animals of basics like food, water and vet care is unconscionable -- without these basics, the horses are slowly dying -- it is so cruel to allow this to happen under your own watch -- you must let everyone know that you need urgent and immediate help -- contacting a reputable org and relaying your dire circumstances so that this org can reach out is also an option -- keep reaching out, until you get results -- later, you can discuss who dropped the ball and when -- in the meantime, the horses need proper nourishment (and/or medical care). We all have setbacks in life beyond our control--this is nothing to be ashamed of, BUT letting animals starve is not only shameful and unconscionable, it is also embarrassing that adults placed in charge of the care of horses allowed these horses to suffer so terribly -- try going without food 24/7 day in and day out.

Petra L.

12:24AM PDT on Mar 27, 2011

I realize that the economy is hindering donations, but if you can't keep up with the keep, do something about it. Most people are happy to help with fund raising.