The new Vocal Race Horse Adoption Program has announced that it has opened a satellite facility near Ocala, Florida, as it continues to expand its later care efforts. The new facility will focus on the rehabilitation, retraining and retraining of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
The nation’s oldest and largest racehorse adoption charity now has nine facilities in six states.
The newest facility is based at Trillium Sport Horses, in Anthony, just a few miles from Ocala. Erin MacDonald, an international three-day event rider with years of experience restarting Crossbreds off track in a new career, will oversee the horses’ rehabilitation and training.
New Vocations Taming Program Manager Anna Ford says a Florida facility is needed in a few years.
“On average, 60 horses per year are transported more than 700 miles from Florida to our Lexington facility,” said Ford. “Horses that come from racecourses and training centers in Florida will now have much shorter distances and travel times as they begin the next chapters.”
MacDonald said, “It’s been a pleasure helping a thoroughbred horse make a smooth transition into a second career post-race. I am honored to be working with such an outstanding aftercare organization and to be involved in the process. Their efforts to provide horses are based in Florida and their relationship with a quality rehabilitation and retraining program.”
Ford said a facility in the Ocala area has been part of New Vocations’ strategic planning for the past few years, but it has been delayed by the pandemic.
“As demand for our aftercare services continues to grow, we will do our best to expand and accommodate more horses,” she said.
The first horses arrive at the Florida facility in late 2021. So far, three have been accepted into shelters. Several other horses are progressing through various stages of rehabilitation and training and will soon be available for adoption.
For information about donating a horse to a Florida facility or supporting its efforts, visit newvocation.org/donate_a_horse, call (859) 252-9574 or e-mail [email protected].
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