TRRAC - Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers

02/03/2025

One Sock Down was returned to our program about a month ago due to his adopter having live changing circumstances. She had Sox for ten years. Prior to his original adoption, we took Sox out to different events such as paper chases, trail rides and hacks. Sox is a good boy who has tackled a variety of careers during his time off the track- he has gone for rides on the beach and has fox hunted.

We would love the place Sox in a great home- his forever home. Sox is a 2009 gelding who stands at 15.3-16.0. He has no vices, lives out and wears a front pair of shoes. He is UTD on vaccines, coggins and was recently re-shod.

If interested in Sox, send an email to [email protected]

02/03/2025

❤️❤️❤️

Harry deLeyer
Harry E. deLeyer (September 21, 1927 – June 25, 2021) is most famous for rescuing an old plow horse from the slaughterhouse, and a few years later winning national shows with that same horse, which became the most famous horse in America in the 1950s. The horse, Snowman, was eventually inducted into United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992.

Harry deLeyer (pronounced deh-LAY-er) was born in Sint-Oedenrode, Netherlands in 1927.[1] His work experience was primarily on the family farm. DeLeyer learned to ride as a child; by 7 he was competing, eventually making it to the Dutch junior national team.

When the Germans invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, his father turned their farm into a way station for the resistance, hiding Jews and downed Allied pilots in a secret cellar that he dug out next to a barn and disguised under a manure pile. Harry deLeyer was part of the underground during WWII and helped many Jews escape the N***s through the Netherlands. Also, at night, Harry would ride out on horseback, looking for wounded pilots.

In 1956 deLeyer attended a horse auction in Pennsylvania. Arriving late to the auction (which was over) he observed the unsold horses being loaded into a truck, headed for the slaughterhouse. A large grey horse, which seemed healthy and strong, caught his eye. A retired plow horse headed to the slaughterhouse, he bought it for $80. Upon arriving home, his daughter named the horse "Snowman."

The gentle Snowman was used as a training horse for beginners. Some time later deLeyer agreed to sell the horse to a neighbour, and this is when an unexpected discovery was made. The horse left the neighbour's corral and made his way home to deLeyer's; this happened a couple times and the sale was reversed. Following the horse's miraculous escape, which could only be accomplished by the horse jumping a number of high fences, deLeyer began working with the horse on his jumping, which appeared to be an extraordinary natural ability of Snowman.

After two years of training deLeyer rode Snowman in a local competition, easily taking the Blue Ribbon in the jumper class. More shows, more Blue Ribbons. National shows, national championships!

At their first appearance in Madison Square Garden, 1958, Snowman and deLeyer took the blue ribbon. Snowman was named "Horse of the Year" by the American Horse Shows Association (today the United States Equestrian Federation) and won the Professional Horsemen's Association championship, making him one of the few horses to win what was then considered the sport's triple crown.

The press and the public loved Snowman, and his rags to riches story. In 1959 deLeyer and Snowman once again took the Blue Ribbon at Madison Square Garden, and Snowman was again named "Horse of the Year."

DeLeyer and Snowman traveled the world, delighting fans wherever they went. They appeared on numerous TV shows, and were genuine celebrities.

Harry deLeyer continued to compete, and perform exhibitions, with Snowman, though less frequently as the horse aged. In 1969 Snowman officially retired at Madison Square Garden, to a standing ovation as the crowd sang "Auld Lang Syne." Snowman died in 1974 (kidney failure).

01/31/2025

My niece came to visit our aftercare horses yesterday and enjoyed the company of Mine Run and Bastogne the most! Follow us TRRAC - Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers!

01/30/2025

Just an update on Johnny, our New Holland pull from a little while ago. He’s thriving! Johnny transferred to our main facility yesterday. It warmed up, so he got a quick scrub on his legs and lots of treats and grooming from our staff. Everyone just loves him. He is starting to pack on good weight- although slowly due to his age. We aren’t quite sure how old he is, definitely in his 20’s.

Thank you to all who donated towards him. He even received a nice blanket for the winter. Johnny will be looking for a permanent home very soon!

Lots of likes 👍 and love ❤️ for Johnny!

01/29/2025

Flat Out Lucky found his perfect home with his young adopter a few weeks ago. They are the perfect pair with a happily ever after! 🥰

01/28/2025

Al’s Frosted rehomed through TRRAC and currently rocking it with Milestone Sporthorses in his second career!

01/26/2025

Adoption day! Chocolate Shake and Run Bucky Run were both adopted yesterday to the same barn! Both horses were placed with us through our partners at Beyond the Wire

Good luck to these beautiful geldings. Run Bucky Run will be heading to the thoroughbred makeover for 2025.

01/15/2025

Chocolate Shake had an easy day of ground work today! I was told he was a very good boy and friendly. Shake is 2025 RRP eligible and seeking his next person!

01/14/2025

Right off the trailer! Gorgeous warhorse from our partners at Beyond the Wire. This guy is seeking his next career and we have been told by a few people that he’s a really cool horse! He is eligible for RRP 2025 and we would love to possibly place him with someone who is heading there this year.

His notations say:

“Chocolate Shake is 2018, 16h+ gelding by Twirling Candy. Vet noted he was sound with no known current issues. His connections LOVE this guy and so does his rider. They did pony off of him and the rider says he’s nice to be around and she thinks he’s going to be pretty quiet.”

01/01/2025

Wishing all our followers a safe and happy New Year from our family to yours as well as a “Happy Birthday” to all thoroughbreds who are now one year older!

Drop a photo of your adopted OTTB in the comments below!

11/28/2024

“Lielielie” doing amazing things. Lielielie was adopted from our program in 2021. He is actually looking for his next person, but we are proud to see such a professional team who molded this fine gelding into what he is today.

➡️ Follow us for more amazing OTTBS, education, insight and available horses.

11/26/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Just a reminder our office closes tomorrow at noon and will reopen Monday 8 AM. Calls, emails and text messages will be answered upon reopening.

11/26/2024

Did you know our retired stallions are turned out with other herd mates? Pictured left is Toy Soldier, a former breeding stallion who has been in our program since 2020 as a pensioner. Toy Soldier resides at our Worth’s Tavern facility. It is important to note that we do not have any mares at our facility and it is limited to geldings.

Toy Soldier enjoys the company of other horses and is often seen babysitting youngsters or horses coming out of rehabilitation. The facility at Worth’s Tavern hosts our program horses who are either fully retired, are in rehabilitation or just need quieter letdown time.

Toy Soldier is very kind to the other horses in his group (limited to 4 total) and also enjoys being groomed, bathed and sometimes we take him for a short ride to keep him active as he is prone to becoming overweight. He is offered acres and acres of fields to walk and graze on as well as free choice hay 24/7.

This transition in retirement has allowed Toy Soldier to relax. He now ground ties for the farrier to trim him front and back, often falling asleep and is more relaxed to handle.

A lot of people question why we do not geld our retired stallions. Our stallions may remain intact for a number of reasons, but at times it is due to potential complications due to breeding history while standing at stud, medical concerns and old age. Toy Soldier has metabolic disease and has been managed happily in his routine for quite some time. We are not only happy to see him thriving, but proud to offer him a comfortable retirement that suits him.

Toy Soldier is offered a winter stall in the bad months with lowered walls where he can still hang his head over and talk to his friends.

11/22/2024

We met Donna at the 2021 Mega Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky when she stopped at our booth and spoke to me about aftercare. She has always been an idol to me.

11/19/2024

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced today that $4.14 million in grants will be awarded to 83 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold accreditation status for 2024.

Thank you to the TAA ❤️ and thank you supporters of the TAA and retired racehorses. Our accreditation is so important to us- not does our accreditation ensure we operate at the highest standards for the thoroughbreds who seek safe placement through our program, but with the partnership of the TAA we are able to assist more horses each year. We are proud of our service to retired thoroughbreds.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced today that $4.14 million in grants will be awarded to 83 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold accreditation status for 2024.

"Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is grateful to continue increasing the total grant amount each year to support accredited aftercare organizations. With a new record of over $4 million in grants awarded this year for the first time, it underscores our commitment to long-term equine welfare," said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. "We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors who go above and beyond the minimum giving levels. These generous contributions have made it possible to meet our annual funding targets, helping even more retired Thoroughbreds find the safe, fulfilling futures they deserve. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to receive support so we can maintain and expand these efforts, ensuring that we can help even more horses in need.”

Click here to read more: https://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/thoroughbred-aftercare-alliance-grants-4-14-million-to-83-accredited-organizations/

11/16/2024

🆘. WE NEED YOUR HELP! 🆘
🚨 On Monday, November 11th, I entered New Holland sales to scout for any potential thoroughbreds who may need assistance getting out of the auction line. Fortunately, there were no thoroughbreds to be found. However, upon further scouting, I found an aged, tired draft horse tied to the metal fencing with no food or water. Some of you may remember our rescue, "Popeye" from last year, an aged standardbred who we kept comfortable for several months until his heart (in a-fib) finally caught up with him and we let him peacefully go. Such as we rescued Popeye, we decided to help this poor old soul out as well.

🚨 TRRAC purchased Johnny from the sale minutes after we saw him, where he was forced to be ridden through in his age and condition. Afterward, we rented a trailer to accommodate his large size and took him to quarantine. We noticed that Johnny had only hind shoes but no front shoes. He was dirty was manure, had been rained on the night before and appears to have a major eye condition which we have noticed has minimal sight in. He is underweight and due to his age, has a hard time chewing normal hay and grain, so he is supplemented with soaked senior feed and hay pellets.

🚨 We have so many of you who support what we do for our thoroughbreds. Johnny has had no friends- he has worked his whole life only to be dumped at a loud auction with no water.

🚨 Please consider helping this gentle giant and old soul. More information on his campaign is located in the comments of this post.

More ways to help or donate:
➡️ Venme:
➡️ PayPal: paypal.me/trrac
➡️ Donation Portal: trrac.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/16725

11/13/2024

Mo Zone looking spectacular with his adopter! Mo Zone was placed in partnership with Beyond the Wire. Give him a ❤️ if you love a good OTTB!

11/01/2024

Here is where aftercare comes full circle and why non-profit aftercare programs should be supported- in 2014 Wilcos Rocky entered our program as a 3 year old who simply needed a change of career from racing. Rocky needed a little TLC, and as he flourished he proved to be a quiet baby who enjoyed attention and was quiet to ride.

Rocky had quite the experience with us, he rode quietly daily, hit the trails, participated in camp, schooled off site and was started over fences with us. He even learned to swim in the horse pool. He was very easy to deal with and even sweeter to ride. Everyone loved him! He was adopted New Years Eve and continued his career as a jumper and enjoyed horse showing.

Rocky’s adopters kept in touch with us and sent photos from time to time. Ten years later, in a heartbreaking decision, Rocky’s adopters had to return him to us today. This was no fault of Rocky’s, his adopter simply had personal life changes and felt it was best that Rocky return to where he was safe to rehome. There were lots of tears and heartbreak. I was heartbroken for Rocky and his people.

This is aftercare, a selfless act to return a retired racehorse so he will remain safe, cared for and adopted back out to a safe and loving home.

I have attached a few of the MANY photos of Rocky when he was training with us. He is seeking the best of homes. Rocky is sound, barefoot and has no vices. He has not been ridden in a number of years (since 2020/2021), but he settled right into his new herd without issue. This is a great opportunity for someone to take a well rounded horse who needs a bit of polishing that has show experience.

Email [email protected] for more information, to support or offer Rocky a home. Rocky is a 2011 gelding who stands 16.2+- he’s a tall boy with a lovely step and floaty movement.