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After an inquiry about an important subject in training and racing horses–it came to our attention that we had yet to make our position clear on our End-of-Career plans for our horses. For Shamrock Highlands Thoroughbreds, this is elementary, but we realized we needed to enumerate it clearly and thank our readership for their response.
Shamrock Highlands Thoroughbreds is committed to ensuring that thoroughbreds, both broodmares and retired racehorses, are neither discarded nor otherwise sent to slaughter, a practice still maintained outside the US.
Shamrock Highlands Thoroughbreds fully support both “second career” farms and organizations that re-train and re-home retired race horses for riding, jumping, and many other pleasure riding purposes. Broodmares that have been “in the family” and provided Shamrock Highlands and our partners with many racing offspring are given a lifetime home once their ability to reproduce has passed.
“We fully appreciate and will continue to support the many second-career organizations that find new homes and new lives for retired racehorses,” Jeff Callan, the Managing Director and Founder said. “While these horses may not be able to endure the stress of the racetrack, they still have many opportunities available to them, including leisure-riding careers. They’re athletes, competitors, and socialized companions. In retirement, there are many other avenues for them.”
As for Broodmares beyond their reproductive years, “Older broodmares that have had 10-12 or more foals including several very productive racehorses have more than earned their keep in retirement at our farm or other available retirement farms,” says Callan. “While we have young mares just starting in the breeding end of the business, the end of their careers as broodmares will come. After all those years of service, I can’t see sending our mares to another home in their twilight years unless we come across a situation in which a well-vetted retirement facility would make them more comfortable.”
“I have a 10 year old German Shepard who has Myopathy,” Callan explained, “She still travels with me and has adapted to her condition and disability. She has given us 10 years of love and companionship, and we could not see putting her down just because her care became a little more difficult or a little more costly. As long as she is happy and enjoying life, and not in pain or extreme discomfort—she’s family, and we’ll care for her as long as she’s comfortable and happy.” Callan sees no difference when it comes to a retired broodmare. “These are our companions, and an extension of our family. You make sure that your family is taken care of.” Shamrock Highlands Thoroughbred is committed to be morally responsible when end of career decisions are required, and when that time comes, our members and inquirers will be kept abreast of these decisions.