Racehorse Repurposing Program
While the American Thoroughbred horses are best know for their racing prowess, they remain the most versatile and capable of all horse breeds. Each year, thousands of these young horses wash out in the highly competitive racing arena, and sadly many are put down or sold to meat markets across the border.
Our Mission at Woodrow Farm
At Woodrow Farm, we are focused on finding these young horses that are no longer wanted for racing and repurpose them for a new career. Ideally, we look for horses that will make good polo horses, so a little smaller and stockier. We know that even if they don’t make polo horses, our training can be the baseline for anything from trail ride horses to eventers and jumpers.
Training Approach
These thoroughbreds off the track have been in training since they were yearlings, so our program begins with simply turning them out in a large pasture so they can be horses again for a couple months. Our grass puts weight back on them and lets them just relax and settle in. From there, we begin again with the basics, getting them moving off all four corners, understanding the cues, legs and reins, and we progress from there.
Once they are restarted and feeling versatile, we put them into a polo training program which includes doing sets, being singled on the polo field, and some introductory stick and ball work. A swinging mallet is a new thing for these horses, so we start them slow and let them get used to the feeling. For those that take to it from here, we play them in some slow practices to get them used to being on the field with other horses and the feel of the game. They usually take to this well, and love to run with other horses on the field.
After a month or so of this, they are usually turned out again for a couple months to rest both their bodies and more importantly their minds. They will come back after this and start to get legged up again, and ready for work. More practice chukkers, and for those that seem ready, some lower level games. By the time they are 6, they are ready for games.
For those that just don’t seem to take to polo, we find great homes where the training we have put in can help them take on a new job as a fox hunter, eventer, or just a hobby horse to do trail rides. When they leave us, they are well broke, and ready for anything.
Commitment to Equine Welfare: Our Guarantee for Horse Rehoming
At Woodrow Farm, we prioritize the welfare of our horses above all else. We offer a guarantee: if a horse doesn’t thrive in its new home, it can return to us anytime. Our commitment is to ensure these beloved animals receive the care they deserve, always.
