Cream Ridge, NJ – It’s slow, but some of the 43 Standardbreds on the manifest to ship for slaughter on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 have been moved from the kill pen, reports the staff at the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, (SRF).
The mare in foal is heading to an experienced home in Georgia to foal her baby. This wonderful home also opened her farm to 2 more in need. Six others fortunately have very kind foster homes, and several were bought directly from the kill pen.
Most of these trotters and pacers raced, several served as broodmares and then spent their lives, like other Standardbreds, in the rural areas as work horses. There the care is usually lacking to a great degree, then they are sold and find themselves in this dire situation, used up as race horses, broodmares, and then as work horses. “There is no one to help these vulnerable animals,” says Tammy Cailliau, staff at SRF. “The ASPCA, and Harness Racing will not provide any assistance for horses tagged for slaughter, yet these are the animals in most need. To have a charity do this work is outrageous, this should be the job of Harness Racing.”
What these horses need to be kept from slaughter:
homes; foster homes; tax-deductible donations; help to reach out to past owners and breeders to take in their horse and help financially; help from other organizations with missions that align with SRF so these horses will not be at risk again; sponsors; your purchase of a horse directly from the kill pen-contact SRF for the information.
SRF is It is facilitating home offers, fosters, and whatever it takes to get them safe. The list is attached. Some prices are still not provided. We believe they are still weighing horses, as the pen is full.
Many of these horses are very hungry, emaciated, stoic. Some have old racing injuries, and others are suffering from overuse on the roads, plowing, and logging in the rural areas. With some food and good care, and a chance to rehabilitate, these horses, likely already under saddle, make wonderful riding horses, and companions. Information on their complete condition and experience is not information SRF is provided by the pens. Updates change quickly and are difficult to compile among the staff and volunteers who are working around the clock and remotely to help these horses.
From the Standardbred Retirement Foundation