Our Commitment

About the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)

Saving Horses
Founded in 1982 to provide a well-deserved, humane retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses at the end of their track careers, the nonprofit Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation ("TRF") has evolved to become an innovative, forward-looking organization with far-reaching benefits to everyone involved.

Hundreds of horses whose lives were in jeopardy have found safety with TRF. Some are champions whose distinguished careers could not protect them from a last trip to a slaughterhouse. Others are just hard-knocking racehorses who did their best and then had nowhere to go.

Saving People
Through TRF horse retirement programs at state correctional facilities, prison inmates and juvenile offenders derive emotional as well as educational benefits from TRF's pioneering, state-accredited vocational programs in horse care and management. Besides learning marketable skills, the horses' caretakers develop responsibility, pride, and self-esteem - life skills that are reflected in the glowing condition and spirited affection of the horses in their care.

Extending TRF's Reach
In 1996, TRF added to its programs the placement of horses in adoptive homes, in equine education programs, and in riding programs for the mentally and physically challenged. Satellite farms have also greatly extended TRF's capacity to receive horses in need of new homes. Numerous owners of smaller horse farms whose facilities meet TRF standards receive a modest stipend for boarding TRF retirees.

TRF is now in various stages of discussion and negotiation with several state governments that want to replicate the TRF retirement farm model at state correctional facilities. Information about the TRF is available online at www.trfinc.org.