Hobo the Retired Rescued Racehorse

I got to ride my new favorite horse this past Tuesday! I got to ride a racehorse! Okay, his last race was 13 years ago... But still! It totally counts!

This is Hobo a 17 year old OTTB gelding that my trainer rescued from the kill pen.

The kill pen.

Look at him. Should this horse be in the kill pen?

His crime? Nada. He was used in a college equestrian program. Because of that he is extremely well trained. His canter cues are gorgeous. Yet for some unknown reason this particular college did not retire him properly. And come one guys its not like that would have been hard. Sure, he's 17. But his is beautifully trained and still completely ride able! So why didn't the college take a few extra days to re-home him (and his buddy) properly? I don't know. There are obviously some idiots running that program, because he and another older thoroughbred were auctioned off to the kill buyer. My trainer found just in time. They were about to be shipped down south when she heard of them and knew they didn't deserve that. Hobo came through the whole ordeal pretty well considering. He was only a little under weight. But the other horse Okie is extremely emaciated, and is having trouble gaining weight despite their best efforts.

Why would someone do that to these beautifully trained horses? Okie even used to be an upper level dressage horse! And they both raced back in the day. They are not lame. They weren't sick until treated badly. 

Horses like this should not be in the kill pen. 

They served people so well throughout their lives. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in their later years.

Please retire your golden oldies responsibly.