Nearly every week the Standardbred Retirement Foundation has revealed that nearly every week, it has found finds trotters and pacers tagged for slaughter who were either homed by past owners or trainers with good intentions, or were given to an organization for this purpose. So why are they now tagged for slaughter?
There are many terms and conditions by which a horse can be adopted. An organization having a 501(c)3 status does not mean a horse will be homed, protected and followed-up appropriately. Having a 501(c)3 status means that the federal government recognizes that there is a need for the service.
Horses live well into their 30s. SRF’s data compiled over nearly three decades indicate horses likely will need more than one home, or perhaps as many 11 homes in their lifetime.
Owners and trainers should understand every organization is different. One well- known organization entitled their adoption agreement “Conditional Bill of Sale and Adoption Agreement.” It states that if their adopted horse is in an unsatisfactory condition or environment, it is not obligated to take possession. That means they are not obligated to help the animal.
When trying to do what is right and moral for a horse and using an organization to help, SRF recommends looking into the adoption process; their adoption agreement; if they follow-up, how it is done, and for how long.
To personally home a horse, SRF’s adoption agreement at AdoptaHorse.org can be copied into a new agreement with the individual’s name replacing SRF. SRF’s preliminary application is also on the website. The full application is easily available by contacting SRFHorsesandKids@gmail.com.
Horse adoption is complicated. While SRF would like to know that every horse is safe after racing and breeding, it is financially unable to find loving homes for all of them. Until the racing industry can offer a means to provide safety for these animals, SRF recommends that “due diligence” be used. SRF is available to answer any questions to assist in someone personally homing a horse. https://www.adoptahorse.org/