Situated on 100 grassy acres in northeast Marion County, the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm is home to more than 50 Florida-bred former racehorses. Many of the horses arrive at the farm after their careers on the racetrack are over. Sure, their racing days are behind them, but after rest and retraining, many of the horses at the Florida TRF are ready for adoption. They go on to enjoy second careers in dressage, trail riding, jumping, and pleasure riding. Even those horses that are not rideable may find adoptive homes as companion animals. As more horses are adopted into new homes, more spaces are available for horses to join the Florida TRF program.
The farm is operated in conjunction with the Florida Department of Corrections and Marion Correctional Institution and all the horses are cared for by female inmates from the Lowell Correctional Institute. The women, all non-violent offenders spend their days learning barn management skills including grooming, feeding, doctoring, and physical therapy and they help teach the horses new disciplines. It’s a symbiotic relationship whereby the horses learn the skills they need to go on to new careers and the inmates learn about teamwork and trust. At the conclusion of the year-long program, having successfully passed 22 written tests covering all aspects of horse care, inmates graduate with a vocational certificate in equine care technology. Upon their release, some of the graduates have gone on to work in the industry as grooms and stable managers.
Two famous Florida-bred champions permanently reside at the farm: Carterista, the 1993 Florida Champion Turf Horse and winner of eight stakes races, and Shake You Down, the 2003 Florida Champion Sprinter and winner of nearly $1.5 million.
The Florida TRF currently has a waiting list for incoming Thoroughbreds. In order to join the list, the horse should be a Florida-bred Thoroughbred, coming straight from the track. The horse should be retired due to age or physical condition. Contact Florida Thoroughbred Charities for more information at 352-629-2160. A donation is requested along with each horse accepted into the program.
Founded in 2001, the farm is supported though the concentrated efforts of Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Gulfstream Park, Calder Race Course, Tampa Bay Downs, the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the national Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, as well as by many individuals who contribute through donations and fundraising efforts.
For more information on adopting a retired Florida-bred racehorse, please contact the FTBOA offices at 352-629-2160.
