Foundation Strives to Care for Horse Racing's Old Timers

What to do with thoroughbred racehorses after they are no longer valuable on the track has been a challenge for a racing industry that capitalizes on these animals when they are at their peak performance but puts them out to pasture when they are no longer able to race or breed.

In 1982, the nonprofit Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded with a mission "to save thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the race track from possible neglect, abuse or slaughter," according to its website. The care and feeding of these animals is a noble but daunting task.

"We are the ones that step up when horses are unwanted and have no place else to go," George Grayson, president of the board of the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. charity, told AOL News.

"Today there are 1,140 horses that we care for on a daily basis at contracted satellite farms around the country. We are an all-volunteer board and we're underfunded and understaffed. Sometimes it's a struggle, but we all work many, many hours on behalf of these animals."

Like many charitable organizations, one of the challenges the foundation faces is raising funds to cover the exorbitant cost of caring for its horses, some of whom have special veterinary needs.

"It's no secret that we, like most charities, have had our share of challenges in this difficult economic climate," said Grayson. "We wish we were caught up in all of our bill payments but we're not."

The foundation had a particularly rough year in 2009, but since then things have turned around, thanks in part to committed donors such as the Mellon Estate, the estate of former breeder and owner Paul Mellon, which provides an endowment to the foundation.

"We are so grateful to our loyal donors who continue to step up year after year," said Grayson, adding, "We rely a great deal on individual donors, but what we really need are more donors from the horse racing industry."

Grayson is referring to donors such as The Jockey Club, which continues to be a strong supporter of the foundation. As recently as two weeks ago, the club made a significant donation of software to the nonprofit. "That was huge for us," Grayson said.

For a charity with tight resources, ensuring that all horses under the foundation's care are receiving consistently proper treatment has been another ongoing challenge. In partnership with the Mellon Endowment, the foundation recently hired a veterinarian to inspect the horses under its care at contracted farms around the country.

Not all of the findings were positive. At Alan and Janice Hudgins' farm in Oklahoma, one of the horses was found to be in extremely bad shape, a couple of them were in poor shape and several more of the horses were healthy overall but too thin.

"We were horrified about the situation," Grayson said. "We made arrangements to have all of the horses moved from the farm and made sure that those that needed it received special care.

"In our contracts with satellite farms, we specify that they must maintain a specific level of care. Any allegations of improper care and neglect we take very seriously."

The foundation has already taken steps to ensure that a situation like the one in Oklahoma never happens again.

"From the standpoint of monitoring our horses, we've made some changes, including personnel changes, and we're as proactive as we can possibly be," Grayson said.

Despite the challenges it faces caring for so many needy animals, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation mains committed to its mission. "Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our horses," said Grayson. "We will continue to do the best we can for them."