Page 53 - 2021 TAA Magazine

Harmony and Hope SANCTUARY

Horse Haven

TESTIMONIAL:
“TAA requirements
for the care of
Thoroughbreds are
highly approved and
recognized by other
organizations and
individuals; to be
recognized as
meeting these
standards is an
honor. To meet TAA
standards for
documentation, my
‘paperwork’ had to
become organized.
Accomplished TAA
staff were so helpful
and patient. Thank
Ruth Plenty of Harmony and Hope Horse Haven with F W Pirate, a New Mexico-bred gelding
who won just one of 16 lifetime starts, earning $2,982, and now lives happily in a sanctuary. you, TAA.”

During the mid-1990s, owner and breeder Ruth know contentment.”
Plenty observed a disturbing trend – that injured, At any given time, some 35 horses live in perma- FOUNDED: 2005
old, or unsuccessful racehorses were loaded onto nent retirement on Plenty’s property, located LOCATION:
trailers and sent to auction. It didn’t seem right, 2 1/2 hours outside of Tucson, Ariz.; most of them Portal, AZ
so she decided to do something to stem that heart- are Thoroughbreds, and several are stallions.
breaking tide. According to Plenty, about 90 percent of Harmony MAILING ADDRESS:
Plenty and her husband, Dennis, began and Hope’s lifetime residents earned less than P.O. Box 173
rescuing horses whenever and wherever $45,000, many after racing for years.
they could, absorbing the cost largely out of The current herd ranges in age from 5 to 36, Rodeo, NM 88056
pocket, and eventually setting up Harmony with earnings up to $175,000, the horses having PHONE: (520) 558-1950 (land)
and Hope Horse Haven as a sanctuary for ex- raced in New York, Florida, Washington, Cali- (602) 540-9413 (cell)
racehorses. fornia, and Canada. Regardless of racing career,
“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” said Ruth medical issues, or personalities, the horses are MAIN CONTACT:
Plenty, who performs many of the daily tasks at provided a lifetime home at Harmony and Hope. Ruth Plenty
the 40-acre Pile of Old Rocks Ranch, the home All incoming horses are placed in three-week
base of Harmony and Hope. “All of our horses quarantine, during which they are thoroughly WEB ADDRESS:
are success stories. They came off the track evaluated and any health issues are addressed. harmonyandhopehorsehaven.org
unwanted, with no place to go – but did not end Harmony and Hope has been recognized by
up abandoned or at feedlot auctions. Instead, Thoroughbred Charities of America, CARMA, SOCIAL:
they spend their days eating, sleeping, and being and After the Finish Line, as well as being harmonyandhopehorsehaven
groomed. They know they have a home – they accredited by the TAA.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF
THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
35

DAILY RACING FORM PAGE 51