By Jess Hallas-Kilcoyne

We are delighted to announce the winners of our fourth annual Readers’ Choice Awards, whose contributions to Canada’s horse community are truly worthy of recognition. Congratulations to our very deserving winners!

 The 2013 Readers' Choice Awards winners are (please read more at each link):

Canadian Cowgirls: Promoting Patriotism
Jane James: Therapeutic Riding & Para-Equestrian Pioneer
Walter White: Making Wishes Come True
Whiz N Tag Chex: Destined for Greatness
Pico: Celebrating Nearly Two Decades of Loyal Service
GreenScene Agritek Inc: Creating an Affordable, Sustainable Solution to the Horse Manure Problem

LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society
Giving Racehorses a Dignified Retirement

Seven-year-old bay gelding Hennepin (aka Connor), who is described as “VERY affectionate and personality plus,” is progressing well under saddle on the flat, and demonstrates the potential to excel as a low-level hunter.

A “very playful and intelligent gelding” whose prior injury limits him to light riding, ten-year-old dark bay Ice Bridge is keeping busy while waiting for a permanent adoptive home by retraining to be a therapy horse at a foster farm.

Although 11-year-old Extremeciano stands only 15.1 hands high, the compact chestnut mare’s large stride belies her smaller stature. This “sweet, beautiful little mover” is looking for a forever owner who will love her to bits.

LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society’s mandate is to house, rehabilitate, and adopt Ontario’s retired Thoroughbred racehorses out to the horse loving community, as well as to educate Ontario’s racehorse community about the merits of a proper and dignified retirement from racing for their horses. Since its inception in 1999, LongRun has assisted in placing over 700 horses in permanent, loving homes.

Hennepin, Ice Bridge, and Extremeciano are just three of the forty-three horses in LongRun’s program currently awaiting adoption and/or a sponsor. The LongRun horses vary widely in age, personality, and suitability of purpose. “We have both sound riding horses as well as companions who have sustained race related injuries but are pasture sound,” says LongRun Adoptions Coordinator Sheri Van Stickle. And, she continues, “LongRun does a full disclosure of any health/injury related issue pertaining to the horses that are of interest to our adoption candidates. We believe a full disclosure is paramount to placing horses appropriately in the right homes.” Also critical to making sure that the horses end up in caring, loving homes are the farm inspections conducted for every potential adopter, and LongRun continues to follow-up with the horses in their new homes for two years.

At present, LongRun does not have a permanent facility of its own, and relies on a number of temporary foster farms to house its horses. To cover the foster care expenses, including feed, veterinary and farriery services, and re-training, for up to 45 horses, LongRun receives funding from a number of sources. 

As a registered Canadian charitable organization, LongRun is supported by both private donations and public fundraising. Additionally, in 2006, .25 percent of Ontario Thoroughbred purse money was designated to LongRun in support of the industry’s retired athletes, and in 2010 this funding was increased to .5 percent. Sponsorship of specific horses, whether corporate or by private individual, is of particular benefit to horses deemed companion animals only as they are not easily placed. There is always a need for sponsors, as many of their resident equines do not have a sponsor to call their own.

“LongRun has also been very well supported throughout Ontario by many veterinarians and farriers, as well as professional horse folk outside of the racing industry,” says Van Stickle. “We are proud and humbled to have been graciously received and continue to provide our horses with the best care to ensure the transition from racehorse to pleasure horse is healthy and happy.”

To learn more about the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, view the horses available for adoption, or to make a donation, please visit www.longrunretirement.com.

Main Article Photo courtesy of LongRun - Fire Cause (aka Thor) is one of the 700 horses that LongRun has helped place in loving adoptive homes since 1999. Thor is pictured here with his devoted owner Katherine Patterson.