ITBOA Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded in 1982. Its mission is clear and simply stated: To save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

Sadly, a vast majority of the general public, and even many racing fans, are unaware of the fate that awaits thousands of Thoroughbreds each year. They assume each animal is assured a safe and graceful retirement once its racing days are over. Their perception of the "Sport of Kings” is one where great personal wealth and lifelong benevolence to all horses are givens. Unfortunately, that perception does not reflect reality.

Reality is a Thoroughbred industry made up largely of owners with only modest resources and current economics that dictate that among all owners, no matter how responsible and well-intended, only a relatively few are capable of maintaining even a single Thoroughbred once it is unable to earn its keep on the track. Reality is a world where horsemeat is in demand in many foreign countries and there are several slaughterhouses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico happy to create a supply. It is a reality the TRF is determined to change.

The first TRF retiree was Promised Road, a fitting name for the path that should be taken by a retired Thoroughbred. At age nine, Promised Road had been an undistinguished campaigner whose career ended with a sixth-place finish in a $3,500 claiming race. Now he needed the type of humanitarian care that the TRF is determined to seek for each horse following his footsteps.

Hundreds like Promised Road have come under the care of the TRF. Today, the TRF is the world's largest, best-known, and most respected charitable organization devoted to equine rescue.

The retirees at these farms and several of our other facilities are often so infirm that they can do little more than enjoy their days in their paddocks and fields. However, hundreds of TRF horses have successfully been trained for second careers as show jumpers, companion horses, handicapped riding horses, and even polo horses.

The TRF is about more than helping horses in need. Early in the TRF’s history, Founder and Chairman of the Board Monique S. Koehler negotiated a milestone agreement with the State of New York Department of Correctional Services. In exchange for land use and labor at the state’s Walkill Correctional Facility, the TRF would design, staff, and maintain a vocational training program in equine care and management for inmates.

Many former inmates that worked with TRF retirees have become solid citizens leading productive lives, and they have been quick to credit the TRF for helping them. There’s no denying the emotional benefits and self-esteem this type of bonding provides for even those with the harshest of backgrounds. Sometimes for the very first time in their lives, these individuals learn about caring for, trusting and, in many cases, loving another being.

This unique prison program has been replicated at TRF farms located at the Blackburn Correctional Facility in Kentucky, the Marion County Correctional Facility in Florida and at the Charles H. Hickey School for youthful offenders in Maryland.

The Iowa chapter has already contacted The Iowa Department of Corrections, which has preliminarily agreed to implement a program at The Newton Correctional Facility.

While the TRF can point with pride to its many accomplishments over the years, the realization of the ultimate goalsaving all Thoroughbred racehorses from needless suffering or slaughteris not yet in sight. The TRF must continue to grow and expand. At the same time, we must firmly establish the operating resources needed to ensure long-term continuity of care for our population of retired horses.

To do so, we need your help. The TRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization entirely dependent on public donations from many thousands of racing fans, owners, breeders, trainers and racing officials that believe racehorses deserve better than a painful trip to the slaughterhouse when their track careers are over. Your gift will make a difference to a horse in jeopardy.

To make real its vision, the TRF must capture the momentum gained in recent years and continue to grow, expand, and extend its programs. At the same time, we must firmly establish the operating resources needed to ensure long-term, continuity of care for our population of retired horses.

We have set up our board and will be starting fundraising projects soon. We have a lot of work to do, and I think this is just the group to get it done. I would like to thank the following for volunteering to serve on the board:

Loren Jacobsen
Deb Donald
Shirley Beakler
Kim Houlding
Mary Lou Coady
Vince Sullivan
Suzanne Evans
Maureen Merkler
Sandra Rasmussen
Peggy Miller

I would also like to personally thank everyone that made cash donations. Every little bit helps. Please use the form below to donate. If we are to turn these challenges into opportunities, your support is vitally needed.

Maggi Moss

Iowa TRF Chairwoman




	Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Comes to Iowa The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was founded in 1982. Its mission is clear and simply stated: To save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. Sadly, a vast majority of the general public, and even many racing fans, are unaware of the fate that awaits thousands of Thoroughbreds each year. They assume each animal is assured a safe and graceful retirement once its racing days are over. Their perception of the "Sport of Kings” is one where great personal wealth and lifelong benevolence to all horses are givens. Unfortunately, that perception does not reflect reality. Reality is a Thoroughbred industry made up largely of owners with only modest resources and current economics that dictate that among all owners, no matter how responsible and well-intended, only a relatively few are capable of maintaining even a single Thoroughbred once it is unable to earn its keep on the track. Reality is a world where horsemeat is in demand in many foreign countries and there are several slaughterhouses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico happy to create a supply. It is a reality the TRF is determined to change. The first TRF retiree was Promised Road, a fitting name for the path that should be taken by a retired Thoroughbred. At age nine, Promised Road had been an undistinguished campaigner whose career ended with a sixth-place finish in a $3,500 claiming race. Now he needed the type of humanitarian care that the TRF is determined to seek for each horse following his footsteps. Hundreds like Promised Road have come under the care of the TRF. Today, the TRF is the world's largest, best-known, and most respected charitable organization devoted to equine rescue. The retirees at these farms and several of our other facilities are often so infirm that they can do little more than enjoy their days in their paddocks and fields. However, hundreds of TRF horses have successfully been trained for second careers as show jumpers, companion horses, handicapped riding horses, and even polo horses. The TRF is about more than helping horses in need. Early in the TRF’s history, Founder and Chairman of the Board Monique S. Koehler negotiated a milestone agreement with the State of New York Department of Correctional Services. In exchange for land use and labor at the state’s Walkill Correctional Facility, the TRF would design, staff, and maintain a vocational training program in equine care and management for inmates. Many former inmates that worked with TRF retirees have become solid citizens leading productive lives, and they have been quick to credit the TRF for helping them. There’s no denying the emotional benefits and self-esteem this type of bonding provides for even those with the harshest of backgrounds. Sometimes for the very first time in their lives, these individuals learn about caring for, trusting and, in many cases, loving another being. This unique prison program has been replicated at TRF farms located at the Blackburn Correctional Facility in Kentucky, the Marion County Correctional Facility in Florida and at the Charles H. Hickey School for youthful offenders in Maryland. The Iowa chapter has already contacted The Iowa Department of Corrections, which has preliminarily agreed to implement a program at The Newton Correctional Facility. While the TRF can point with pride to its many accomplishments over the years, the realization of the ultimate goalsaving all Thoroughbred racehorses from needless suffering or slaughteris not yet in sight. The TRF must continue to grow and expand. At the same time, we must firmly establish the operating resources needed to ensure long-term continuity of care for our population of retired horses. To do so, we need your help. The TRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization entirely dependent on public donations from many thousands of racing fans, owners, breeders, trainers and racing officials that believe racehorses deserve better than a painful trip to the slaughterhouse when their track careers are over. Your gift will make a difference to a horse in jeopardy. IOWA TRF UPDATE Growth, Responsibility and Challenges To make real its vision, the TRF must capture the momentum gained in recent years and continue to grow, expand, and extend its programs. At the same time, we must firmly establish the operating resources needed to ensure long-term, continuity of care for our population of retired horses. We have set up our board and will be starting fundraising projects soon. We have a lot of work to do, and I think this is just the group to get it done. I would like to thank the following for volunteering to serve on the board: Loren Jacobsen Deb Donald Shirley Beakler Kim Houlding Mary Lou Coady Vince Sullivan Suzanne Evans Maureen Merkler Sandra Rasmussen Peggy Miller I would also like to personally thank everyone that made cash donations. Every little bit helps. Please use the form below to donate. If we are to turn these challenges into opportunities, your support is vitally needed. Maggi Moss Iowa TRF Chairwoman