Farm Cares For And Trains Retired Racehorses

January 28, 2008

I love my Google Alerts. Most of the time there’s nothing terribly interesting, but from time to time I find some real gold nuggets. Today I discovered Woodend Farms, a non-profit organization in Barrington, IL that focuses on caring and training retired thoroughbred racehorses.

My horse, Penny, was a racehorse we bought off the track 14 years ago; she had just turned five. My mom and I did her training, and I showed her in hunters and equitation for several years. She was a huge success in the C-rated hunter shows and 4-H at all levels, and even placed in the ribbons at an A-rated hunter show. She was a flashy, dappled steel-gray with black points, and a really gorgeous mover, but she had a few jumping quarks we couldn’t get rid of. At any rate….

Besides Penny, I had many opportunities to handle and ride off-the-track thoroughbreds growing up, and it’s become one of my specialties and passions. Thoroughbreds are full of energy and personality, and I think it takes special people to understand them and work with them. Even more so if they started their life on a racetrack.

So I was thrilled to discover a blog for Woodend Farms in my Google Alerts this morning. I love their emphasis on retired racehorses, and the amazing new start in life they’re giving these horses. I wish I lived in Barrington, IL so I could volunteer to work with the horses, and maybe even adopt one! If you haven’t seen it before, go check out their blog and learn about their organization and follow the training and care of several of the horses.

Oh, and lo and behold, Woodend Farms is looking for an internet marketing volunteer with a passion for and experience with retired thoroughbred racehorses. Considering what I just told you and the fact that I work in web marketing, it sounds right up my alley. So I sent them a contact form and let them know I was interested in potentially helping out. It will be fun to see where that goes. Oh, and if you have any questions about search engine optimization or online marketing for your horse blog, feel free to ask! You may be my competition, but I’m glad to help out anyway.

Posted in Horse Care, Jackie's Thoughts, Making a Difference