We all know CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) as the bookmark on our computers that we click on at least weekly to effectively waste time drooling over beautiful ex-racehorses. Many success stories have been made through the hard and diligent work of CANTER programs throughout the United States. As they continue to match Thoroughbreds who need a second chance with riders and trainers who are willing and able, the CANTER programs have become an amazing resource for finding and re-homing ex-racehorses.
This spring, the Colorado chapter of CANTER launched a new aftercare program for retiring racehorses and was generously rewarded for doing so. Arapahoe Park and the Colorado Horseracing Association cut a check for $10,000 to CANTER Colorado to assist in their future work towards re-homing and rehabilitating ex-racehorses, specifically those that have raced at Arapahoe Park.
“CANTER Colorado has shown real dedication to helping our horses find new homes once their racing careers are finished,” Bruce Seymore, General Manager at Arapahoe Park, said. “We’re excited to be able to support CANTER Colorado in their ‘recycled racehorse’ retraining program and think this will be a real benefit to the horsemen at Arapahoe Park and the horses that run here.”
“We are extremely grateful to Arapahoe Park and the Colorado Horseracing Association,” Jamie Girouard, executive director of CANTER Colorado, said. “This wonderful donation will allow us to enhance our CANTER-owned program and further extend our services to the trainers and owners who race at Arapahoe Park.”
As with all CANTER programs, the Colorado chapter strives to help trainers and owners find good second homes for their horses through free sales listings and promotions on their website. CANTER promotes the retiring Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Arabians, Paints, Appaloosas and working track ponies of any breed. Volunteers work with the racetracks throughout the year with regular visits to take photos and gather information that will help with the re-homing effort.
While CANTER does receive donations from other tracks around the U.S. regularly, this gesture from Arapahoe Park and the Colorado Horseracing Association is particularly wonderful. I think that close relationships between CANTER officials and race track workers is extremely important, and to see the whole racing industry in this area make such a big move to support the welfare of these horses is beautiful. Go CANTER, and go OTTBs!
