Every Racehorse Deserves a Second Chance

Unlike other breeds, Thoroughbreds do not often get the credit that is truly deserved. Most horses only have one lifetime career, let alone two or three. Because they are raced and subsequently retired at such a young age, an OTTB’s first career ends sooner than most other horses’ careers even begin.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed sharing the lessons learned from re-training my OTTB for her second career. I've also received quite a few messages from fellow OTTB owners who shared their story after following my journey. I now realize that our story is not the only one that justifies itself to be told. This week, I decided to change it up by highlighting the various second careers that OTTBs around the country hold. So, for the next seven days, Horses Offering People Education will feature a different Story of H.O.P.E. Here is today’s…

#1: “Holy Boly aka ‘Dexter’ is a 5 year old OTTB currently living in New York. We are planning on attending the 2022 Retired Racehorse Project TB Makeover for trail and freestyle. I’ve slowly been working on introducing him to mounted archery. It’s taken me years to find the perfect equine that I’m confident will let me shoot things off them.

Dexter retired with some chips but he has one of the best brains I’ve worked with. His first post-track ride was a month later bareback in his pasture. This dude is truly one of a kind and I’m most proud of him for doing the only job I will ever require him to do forever — be the best friend to my son!”

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With H.O.P.E.

~Meagan H. (New York)