Page 50 - 2021 TAA Magazine

SANCTUARY
REHABILITATION
Friends of Ferdinand RETRAINING/ADOPTION

TESTIMONIAL:
“TAA provides a
consistent, stable,
and reliable funding
source for equine
programs that does
not exist elsewhere.
With that, we are able
to confidently plan
and implement
strategies for
sustainable growth in
order to better meet
the needs of the
horses and horsemen
in Indiana and the
Midwest. The horses
benefit when we all
work together.”
JPH PHOTOGRAPHY
Friends of Ferdinand has an internship program that allows volunteers the opportunity to work
with horses that are being retrained to transition to new careers. FOUNDED: 2005

Friends of Ferdinand Inc. (FFI) is an Indiana- months or six, Friends of Ferdinand horses are ADDRESS:

based nonprofit dedicated to promoting respon- ready for new careers with amateur riders. P.O. Box 262
sible retirement for racehorses in Indiana and The goal of Friends of Ferdinand is to work Mooresville, IN 46158
the Midwest with options for second careers. closely with adopters to find the right home for

Established in 2005, Friends of Ferdinand took each horse the first time. The adoption process EMAIL:
its name from the famed racehorse Ferdinand, a begins with an application that includes veteri- contact@friendsofferdinand.com
Kentucky Derby winner who earned millions on narian, farrier, and personal references. Poten-
the track but was ultimately sent to slaughter. tial adopters are required to visit and ride their MAIN CONTACT:
To honor his memory, FFI has established a very potential horses with FFI’s head trainer. In Sara Busbice
successful retraining and adoption program. addition, adopters are offered a 30-day trial so
Additionally, FFI offers an internship program that they may take their new horse home for a WEB ADDRESS:
that affords young people who are interested in prepurchase exam and evaluations by their own friendsofferdinand.com
a horse-industry career the opportunity to work veterinarian, farrier, and trainer.
with horses in aftercare or preparing for adop- These adoption and match-making processes SOCIAL:
tion. have proved effective, with an almost 100 percent OTTBsforFFI
Each horse receives a thorough vet check to year-over-year successful adoption rate. FFI @Ferdinators
identify any physical limitations and generally grads have become trail and dressage horses, @friendsofferdinandinc
stays a minimum of 90 days for evaluation and such as Logan Township, a gelding who raced 78
retraining. Once ready to begin work, Friends times, and Right to War, who raced three times. AVERAGE NUMBER OF
of Ferdinand’s retraining philosophy is: “Let Others have transitioned into hunter/jumpers, THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
the horse set the pace.” Whether it takes three eventers, and pleasure horses.
30

PAGE 48 DAILY RACING FORM