The $519,000.00 harness racing winner, Hot N Sporty who was found in a kill pen in Pennsylvania will soon be headed to the Bluegrass state to live out his life at Walnut Hall Farm. A call came from Alan Leavitt to offer this gallant animal a place to live out his life. He will be a buddy to the old gray they rescued just a few months earlier.
The 13-year-old gelding was shipped to a farm nearby, stopping on the way at a veterinary clinic to have a Coggins drawn. He will remain at the small boarding facility until it is ready at which time he will have a well-deserved journey to his loving home. Everyone who felt touched by this story and who helped, are grateful to Walnut Hall for their help and for opening their hearts to the winning gelding.
The need for help didn't stop there. Behind this gallant pacer in the kill pen were two others in need, one was Regalaire. Pictures and video of this very gentle soul, a son of Matt's Scooter, were taken and quickly sent to a veterinarian for advice. He felt that humane euthanasia was best. The kill buyer would not permit a veterinarian on the grounds, so the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) shipped the beaten down gelding with Hot N Sporty. He is medicated for pain, but it is not offering much relief. He is being treated like a king, smothered with treats and love. There is nothing that can be done to make him comfortable enough to live out his life, and will be put at peace. We are grateful to the family of the breeder who sent what was needed to help him. Since this horse left them, no one knows who is responsible for his severe suspensories, one leg with a complete tear; his bowed tendons; painful ankles from degenerative joint disease; and a swollen hock.
The other was a Standardbred in emaciated condition. The shipper told SRF that she just could not leave him there. She offered $50.00 to take him, stating that he wouldn't get much more in Canada. He agreed to $100.00 and 8-year- old Coast Guard Grad was also loaded and taken to the farm. His past owner was contacted for help but they declined stating they did not want to get involved. SRF did not anticipate taking on a horse in this great a need; a sponsor, or sponsors for his care are needed.
These 3 horses have on road shoes, indicating that they served as transportation. It's evident that selling Standardbreds to dealers who frequent the tracks and training centers generally leads these horses to a hard life; many are driven down in both a physical way and in spirit. This was the case this past week in Pa. when a horse pulling a heavy load of watermelons (onlookers state that he was a Standardbred, as they saw a tattoo) had given up and went down from what the police suspect was being overworked, and overheated. The driver of the horse was punching, kicking and beating the horse. The horse had to be euthanized. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/pennsylvania-man-kicked-punched-overheated-horse-charged-article-1.2740360 . The 20-year-old driver of the horse has been charged with two counts of cruelty.
Several racetrack veterinarians recommend humane euthanasia as an alternative to selling Standardbreds to dealers who prey the tracks and training centers buying those no longer competitive or with injuries. But horsemen and owners rarely take this option. It is a tough decision, but it is a much more humane one. There are laws in place that prevent dealers from selling horses that are lame, or injured, also preventing them from traveling to slaughter. But SRF has yet to see any enforced, in spite of their numerous attempts.
Sponsorship help is needed for Coast Guard Grad. To offer him comfort please email Tammy at Admin@srfmail, or call SRF at 732 446-4422. His cost per month will be about $350.00 until he is well, and hopefully he will then be sound enough to take a saddle and find a happy home. Any size sponsorship for him is appreciated.
Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 353 Sweetmans Lane, Suite 101, Millstone Twp., NJ 08535