Page 63 - 2021 TAA Magazine

SANCTUARY

Life Horse Inc. REHABILITATION
RETRAINING/ADOPTION

TESTIMONIAL:
“The support of the
TAA allows
Life Horse Inc. the
means to assist
Thoroughbreds to
transition to a second
career. If a second
career is not in their
future, they will be
provided a safe
sanctuary and
retirement home
at Life Horse.”

FOUNDED: 1996

ADDRESS:
Joe Topper, Life Horse president, with Happy Tuesday, the farm’s oldest sanctuary resident. 15117 Mud College Rd.
Thurmont, MD 21788

Life Horse Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organi- are eligible for monthly sponsorships to help PHONE:

zation located at Breezy Hill Stables in Thur- cover the cost of their care. (240) 674-3856
mont, Md. It provides services to all horse An open house is held annually where visitors
breeds, including sanctuary, rehabilitation, and are welcome to meet and greet the horses. Visi- MAIN CONTACT:
retraining for adoption. tors have the opportunity to learn about respon- Joseph Topper
Horses come to Life Horse from area race- sible horse care and ownership. Horses available
tracks, auctions, owner surrenders, and unde- for adoption are used to show their versatility to WEB ADDRESS:
sirable situations. Currently, Life Horse has two anyone considering this option. lifehorsebreezyhill.com
dozen Thoroughbreds. Of those, 12 are sanctu- For those uncertain or unfamiliar with horse
ary residents. ownership, Life Horse offers an on-site leas- SOCIAL:
New arrivals are assessed by a veterinarian, ing program. This program allows a potential LifeHorseInc
farrier, and dentist. The horse’s training level is adopter the chance to get to know the horse and @lifehorseinc
evaluated by a trainer to ensure the horse has determine if adoption is something they want to
the best chance to find a suitable lifelong part- pursue. AVERAGE NUMBER OF

ner. The horses are always welcome back for any Life Horse president and farm owner Joe THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
reason if necessary. Topper has seen an increased need for safe long- 23
Life Horse welcomes volunteers to visit and term aftercare.
pamper our residents. Its oldest sanctuary resi- “Being a Thoroughbred owner myself, I just
dent is Happy Tuesday, 33. He made it known want to do my part to see that these horses are
that he was very attached to another elderly cared for after life on the track,” said Topper,
Thoroughbred, also from a unsatisfactory situ- who helps oversee the daily operation of the
ation. He and his 25-year-old friend Steel Bulle farm. “Being located where we are with several
have found sanctuary together. Rarely do we see tracks within about an hour’s drive, we feel like
one without the other close by. Sanctuary horses we’re in a good location to help out.”

DAILY RACING FORM PAGE 61