SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Monday, August 7, The Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association (SHHA) presented donations totaling $5,000 to two upstate New York charities created to advocate and find homes for retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Both Sunshine Horses Inc. and Heading for Home Racehorse Retraining and Adoption Center Inc. received a $2,500 donation that will be used to prepare retired racehorses for their new homes.
“During each track season, horses are retired from racing, whether through age or a number of other reasons, and it can be difficult for some to find new homes right away,” said Joseph Battaglia, SHHA Board Member and President of the Heading for Home Racehorse Retraining/Adoption Center. “We’re grateful to the Association for their support. With this donation, they are helping us create opportunities for these amazing animals to find homes and a new purpose.”
The Heading for Home Racehorse Retraining/Adoption Center retrains retired racehorses to prepare them for the next chapter of their lives. These horses are required to complete a 90-day program, learning skills such as under saddle work, trail riding and equine assisted therapy.
Similar to Heading for Home, Sunshine Horses is focused on preparing retired horses for their lives after racing. Located near Syracuse, N.Y., Sunshine has found homes for over 200 retired racehorses. The organization utilizes more than 150 committed volunteers to retrain these horses and prepare them for their future homes following adoption.
“Our organization is all about preserving the welfare of standardbred racing,” said Tom McTygue, president, SHHA, “We do that not only by promoting the sport, but also by caring for the horses involved, assuring they are treated well and provided for following their years of training and racing.”
Donations to Sunshine Horses and The Heading for Home Adoption Center can be made online at any time.
