Thoroughbred horses, known as competitors in the sport of kings, provide some of the most exciting moments in sports each year. But once their racing days are over, where do they end up?
For some, right here in the Pinelands.
Marilyn Haegele, owner of a farm on Forked Neck Road, works with the Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption Placement Organization and as a foster owner for former racehorses.
Second Call, founded in 2012, is a nonprofit thoroughbred adoption and placement program dedicated to New Jersey’s off-the-track thoroughbreds. Serving as the exclusive “after care program” for Monmouth Park, the mission for Second Call is to assist and ensure that retired racehorses find a “second calling” or profession.
“It is a requirement for racetracks to be associated with an after care program to ensure the horses find new homes once their racing careers are over and to ensure that the horses will
be well taken care of,” Haegele said.
Thoroughbreds accepted into the program are rested, evaluated and re-acclimated. They are then transitioned to trainers with proven skills to re-train and prepare former racehorses for their new tasks. Every effort is made to ensure successful, long-term placements.
“The horses will either be placed with the trainer or hopefully with an adoptee,” Haegele said.
Haegele cares for three horses associated with the program at her farm. She said the program would be able to care for about 10 horses at a time.
According to Haegele, a need for a dedicated off-the-track program for New Jersey racehorses became evident about two years ago. Public knowledge of the need was at an all-time high with support for this horse population growing rapidly. After a series of discussions, the decision was made to create an adoption, placement and pensioners’ organization that focused exclusively on the horses racing in New Jersey. Haegele works with six other women at Second Call, all of whom had a history with racing either as a trainer, rider or breeder.
Second Call is 100 percent volunteer-run and operates mostly on donations. The organization does receive some funding from Monmouth Park as well as through donation fees from owners and adoption fees. Haegele said while they evaluate, rehab and re-train the horses, they have ongoing needs in addition to hay, oats and water. They are in continual need of things such as halters, wormers, blankets, lead ropes, wound salve among other things and lean heavily on donations to fund these items.
“For me, this shows a better, more caring side to the business of horse racing that many people do not realize exists,” Haegele said.
The stigma that racehorses are often mistreated is another point the organization tries to combat.
“Our industry has made a commitment to the health and well being of the horses, so it is frustrating to hear special interest groups target horse racing,” Haegele said. “Racehorses are treated like royalty in comparison to show horses, and yet the criticism is not the same.”
