Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc. announced today that it has received a Rescuing Racers Initiative Grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).
“Currently, Maryland’s horse racing industry does not have a retirement program for their retiring racehorses, and they do not fund any,” said Kimberly Clark, the founder of TPR, which works to retrain and find qualified homes for retired Thoroughbreds, as well as to educate owners, trainers and the general public about the value of retired racehorses as show and pleasure horses. “It is up to private organizations and charities to fund these efforts.”
The ASPCA Million Dollar Rescuing Racers Initiative began in 2010, through the generosity of an anonymous donor. According to the ASPCA Web site, the grants have been distributed since 2010 to a variety of 501(c) (3) equine rescues and sanctuaries in order to help each of the groups increase capacity, rescue more horses and further advance their mission.
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“This is a real nod,” said Clark. “One of the goals of the program is the implementation of training programs for thoroughbreds to ready them for second careers, which we have already done. This grant will help us to continue that work.”
TPR takes in an average of 35 horses annually. Although all of the training and riding time is donated by Leighton Farm, the home of TPR, the cost of the 90-day retraining program is approximately $2,120 per horse. Upon completion of the retraining, horses are adopted by qualified homes.
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“Receiving this grant reinforces that we are doing things right and it allows us to continue to demonstrate the true potential of these wonderful horses. This is truly an honor,” said Clark.
TPR, Inc is a 501(c)(3) charity that exists to improve the lives of Thoroughbred racehorses through a comprehensive, multifaceted approach. TPR successfully transitions and retrains racehorses for other disciplines and strives to improve the reputation of the Thoroughbred by providing education and support.