I wanted to start a daily blog of the many things that happen at New Vocations in making sure our retired Standardbreds get into the right homes to start the next chapter of their lives. Many of the horses I get come to me for a variety of reasons. Just a few examples are: they are no longer competitive as a racehorse, had a minor injury making them non competitive, or have been used as a broodmare and the owner no longer wants to breed them and or they could not get in foal. Currently with the economy and the state that racing is in in Michigan, some people are leaving and going out east to race, for example, where the purses are much larger. Due to these many reasons, we are here to help theses horses find new homes where they can go on and continue to to be used and loved by their new owners.
I have been around Standarbreds since before I could walk. I have pictures of myself as an infant, in the barn, at the track sitting in a baby bouncer! The first horse I ever sat on at age 1 was a Standardbred. I am the daughter of a fifth generation Standardbred trainer and driver. Racing horses has been my family’s only income for a long, long time. It is what my dad does every day, and my grandpa did every day, and his dad did, and so on. These great horses are a huge part of me and I am very blessed to be able to be around them every day. I often think when I am feeding the horses in the morning that this is what my relatives were also doing over 100 years ago! Just today I reminded myself of this as I was feeding in the cold rain and slopping through ankle deep mud, trying to catch one of my new horses. He, however, was having too much fun in the mud and was not wanting any part of me, so I let him stay out with his three new friends, who also are retired from racing.
These horses still amaze me. It is always so fullfilling to see someone else get so much out of them in their new career as a riding horse or a pleasure driving horse. What someone else has no use for is another person’s treasure. Thankfully the horses have the talent, mind, grace and beauty to transition easily into their new vocation!
This weekend we will be at the Michigan Horse Expo promoting all of our racehorses. This large event is held at the MSU Pavillion in East Lansing, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please stop by and say “Hello”!
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By: Mr WordPress on March 10, 2009
at 2:40 pm
You are lucky to have the facilities to be able to help those horses, and they are very lucky to have you. My first experience with a stallion was a Standardbred named Atomic. I worked for a horse vet here in Ohio and we had lots of trainer clients. Some of my favorite horses have been Standardbreds.
When we get settled in KY I will contact you as we will need a pasture mate for the girls’ pony, Spirit, and something for them to grow “into.”
Keep up the good work!!!!
By: Angel Pope on March 10, 2009
at 11:01 pm
I always try to watch RFD-TVs Trotters & Pacers along with all of the other “Horses on RFD-TV” shows. It was a real treat to see the New Vocations segment! I hope it inspires many people to adopt! Standardbreds are honest, loving and eager to please. Thanks Dot, for a Super match.
By: Kelly Edwards on March 18, 2009
at 12:23 am