Below is a press release for our upcoming eBay fundriaser...remember to check it out, and bid high!
Horses Helping Horses: Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center to hold online auction
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center is pleased to announce the upcoming first annual Horses Helping Horses event starting this Sunday, April 19. Horses will help horses with an eBay auction of halters from famous Lexington-area ex-racehorses and stallions to help fund the MMSC’s myriad programs for retraining ex-racehorses and for educating the general public about the athleticism of the Thoroughbred. The auction will open on April 19th and run until April 25th and includes halters from Serena’s Song, Distorted Humor and Ghostzapper among others. “The halter auction has been a great opportunity for us to raise money, and allowed other horses to provide an opportunity to care for our horses,” says Brittany Hawkins, equine communications intern who has been helping to coordinate the halter sale as part of her internship project. “The halters are wonderful heirlooms and, even in times such as these, smart investments,” says MMSC Director Susanna Thomas. “We hope that by putting them on eBay we will lure racing and horse enthusiasts from afar and spread the word about the value of the Thoroughbred ex-racehorse.”
The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center is a re-training and adoption facility located within the Kentucky Horse Park . It was started five years ago by a group of constituents from the racing industry to showcase the athleticism of the soundest, most marketable Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and to re-school them for new careers. The Center takes in horses from private owners and trainers through the TRF as well as from other Thoroughbred rescue agencies across the country. The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center would like to thank Adena Springs Kentucky , Denali Stud, Juddmonte, Shadwell Farm, Taylor Made Farm, Three Chimneys Farm and Winstar Farm, for their generous donations. For more information about the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center or the Horses Helping Horses online auction, please contact Natalie Voss at nvoss@trfinc.org.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Update: April 2nd
Hello all!
The weather is warming up and our horses are feeling their oats today! They are thoroughly enjoying the new grass that has been coming up the last few weeks, and so are we...except for Jerry, who has to mow it.
We got two new horses in this week! Dr. Hector (see his link: http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/available_horses_dr_hector.html ) came in yesterday (on his birthday, no less) from Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue. He is adorable, a five year old gelding who's sound and has been working under tack for several months, even popped over a few jumps. We're letting him adjust to the new place before we get on him but judging by his temperment on the ground he should be a quiet ride. Also, Take The Balance shipped in from Keeneland a few hours ago. He is a striking dapple gray, five years old, about 16 hands. He's currently a colt but the vet is coming out this afternoon to uh, alter that part of his identity. He's in good body condition, just needs some time to settle down--and get a nickname! He was generously donated to us by Mrs. Josephine Abercrombie/Pin Oak Stud. Take The Balance only started once and placed third; had some trouble with a slight tendon injury and Pin Oak didn't feel comfortable pressing him to race at age five. The tendon is now hard and by the time he recovers from surgery he should be ready for work.
We're looking to have two more horses (Danzaway and Testament) coming from Finger Lakes Throughbred Adoption Program next week, and one more horse from TRF (Guidance Up) at which point we'll be full up!
We continue to make progress with the halters for our online auction! I picked up Northern Afleet's halter from Taylor Made this morning and Brittany is off to get Giacomo and Ghostzapper's halters this afternoon. We've got 9 altogether but are hoping to pull in a few more before the auction, which will run on eBay April 19--25. I'll post the links when we get the items listed.
Also, the old tack that we are selling will be on the TAN site next week. Again, links are forthcoming.
We're now looking for interns interested in participating in the program for the summer. We don't have it in our budget to pay stipends for an extra session outside the academic semesters, so it will be on an unpaid basis but I can promise you that the experience alone is worth the time. E-mail me if you have any questions: ncvoss2@yahoo.com .
The AAEP's Unwanted Horse Coalition has approved our application for free vaccines and is delivering them as I type. In fact they're taking several photos and would like to feature the MMSC in their upcoming press release about their program--how cool! For anyone who has an equine rescue, it's a great way to keep you horses' shots up to date if you can't find a vet willing to donate the vaccine. Remember that vaccines should be administered by a veterinarian. For more info, visit their website at: http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/ .
As I mentioned in the last post, we are open to visitors as of March 15th: Public hours are Mon-Sat 9-3, with interactive demonstrations on Saturdays at noon. We are providing transport at 11:45 after the Parade of Breeds show, leaving from behind the Big Barn. Come see us! Do remember if you come by to stop by the office before you head to our barn, we're happy to give you a tour!
We're still putting the finishing touches on our enewsletter--email me if you'd like to go on the listserv.
That's all for now!
~Natalie
The weather is warming up and our horses are feeling their oats today! They are thoroughly enjoying the new grass that has been coming up the last few weeks, and so are we...except for Jerry, who has to mow it.
We got two new horses in this week! Dr. Hector (see his link: http://www.midatlantichorserescue.org/available_horses_dr_hector.html ) came in yesterday (on his birthday, no less) from Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue. He is adorable, a five year old gelding who's sound and has been working under tack for several months, even popped over a few jumps. We're letting him adjust to the new place before we get on him but judging by his temperment on the ground he should be a quiet ride. Also, Take The Balance shipped in from Keeneland a few hours ago. He is a striking dapple gray, five years old, about 16 hands. He's currently a colt but the vet is coming out this afternoon to uh, alter that part of his identity. He's in good body condition, just needs some time to settle down--and get a nickname! He was generously donated to us by Mrs. Josephine Abercrombie/Pin Oak Stud. Take The Balance only started once and placed third; had some trouble with a slight tendon injury and Pin Oak didn't feel comfortable pressing him to race at age five. The tendon is now hard and by the time he recovers from surgery he should be ready for work.
We're looking to have two more horses (Danzaway and Testament) coming from Finger Lakes Throughbred Adoption Program next week, and one more horse from TRF (Guidance Up) at which point we'll be full up!
We continue to make progress with the halters for our online auction! I picked up Northern Afleet's halter from Taylor Made this morning and Brittany is off to get Giacomo and Ghostzapper's halters this afternoon. We've got 9 altogether but are hoping to pull in a few more before the auction, which will run on eBay April 19--25. I'll post the links when we get the items listed.
Also, the old tack that we are selling will be on the TAN site next week. Again, links are forthcoming.
We're now looking for interns interested in participating in the program for the summer. We don't have it in our budget to pay stipends for an extra session outside the academic semesters, so it will be on an unpaid basis but I can promise you that the experience alone is worth the time. E-mail me if you have any questions: ncvoss2@yahoo.com .
The AAEP's Unwanted Horse Coalition has approved our application for free vaccines and is delivering them as I type. In fact they're taking several photos and would like to feature the MMSC in their upcoming press release about their program--how cool! For anyone who has an equine rescue, it's a great way to keep you horses' shots up to date if you can't find a vet willing to donate the vaccine. Remember that vaccines should be administered by a veterinarian. For more info, visit their website at: http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/ .
As I mentioned in the last post, we are open to visitors as of March 15th: Public hours are Mon-Sat 9-3, with interactive demonstrations on Saturdays at noon. We are providing transport at 11:45 after the Parade of Breeds show, leaving from behind the Big Barn. Come see us! Do remember if you come by to stop by the office before you head to our barn, we're happy to give you a tour!
We're still putting the finishing touches on our enewsletter--email me if you'd like to go on the listserv.
That's all for now!
~Natalie
Monday, March 23, 2009
Update: March 23rd
Hi everyone!
A few odds and ends before I dash out of the office:
A few odds and ends before I dash out of the office:
- Like the Horse Park, we are now open for visitors again! The Center is open to the public Monday-Saturday, 9-3 with interactive demonstrations on Saturday at 12. If you'd like to see a specific horse we ask that you call us to make an appointment: 859-246-3080.
- J's Dream has been adopted! He will be leaving with Becky on Saturday for his new home in Ohio. That makes three total adoptions for the year, and only a week after our official opening!
- Code Forty, Invincible Vince and He's A Hoot are still with us. Hootie might have an adoption pending but Code Forty and Vincie are very available. In fact, Code Forty jumped for the first time this last weekend and did beautifully! The higher we raised the bar, the better she went and had excellent form. Check out her page at http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/ for pictures. She's going to be a star hunter one day!
- We are shipping in several horses in the next week--Guidance Up (TRF) will be coming to us from Florida tomorrow, and Testament (Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption) should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. We are trying to work out a way to get a couple of horses from Mid-Atlantic and Angel Acres also, they have some really nice ones available.
- The interns continue to keep hard at work. Hayley is preparing to show Code Forty in the next few weeks and will be making a picturebook of her show experience with our horses for the Center. Brittany and I are working on the March enewsletter and our halter fundraiser (next on the list is this blog...heh heh). Travers has been working on the arena surface with Jerry and has taken his very first MMSC riding lesson.
- As to the aforementioned halter fundraiser--we are in the process of getting halters donated from the local farms belonging to famous stallions or racehorses (we're expecting to get at least ten, maybe fifteen!) to auction off on eBay next month. We already have Serena's Song, Point Given, Distorted Humor and Bluegrass Cat and there are more good ones coming our way! We'll also be listing some of the many extra blankets, bits and grooming odds and ends we have had donated to us--we always appreciate donations, but we don't have enough room or enough horses to use all the equipment or salves that have been given to us over the winter. Plus we need the space in our garage for feed! Stay tuned on that one....details about the items and opening times are coming soon!
- If you'd like to start recieving our monthly enewsletter, please send me an e-mail (ncvoss2@yahoo.com) and I'll be happy to add you to the list
- We are still trying to raise funds for Corey's surgery! We have gotten $71 donated via Facebook as of this afternoon, but the vet says it wil be about $1k (at cost), so we need your support, whether via the Facebook or MySpace Causes (titled 'Save A Horse's Career!'), iGive.com, GoodSearch.com or a few dollars in our donation bowl here at the office. Every little bit counts! Corey himself will be coming back to us this Wednesday and will be happy to recieve donations (of money or peppermints) in person.
~Natalie
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Call For Support!!
All you Facebookers--we have now started a FB Cause called 'Save A Horse's Career!', designed to raise money for Core Sample's surgery. Please please join, and invite your frieneds. If everyone donates $5 or even $1 to the Cause, we could have him at Rood and Riddle by April. The link is here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/236099?m=ea7cabe2&_fb_fromhash=53d30b6a80849374
Need more info first?
Core Sample came to us a little lame in his right front ankle; when we x-rayed we found he had several chips, most of which are removable and all of which will probably cause the early onset of arthritis if not removed. At the moment he is stiff in that leg but not lame. If we could get the chips out, he would not only live a more comfortable life but would also probably find an adoptive home. Leah, one of our training interns from the fall, has been fostering him and says he is a very sweet, smart fellow who could find a great home if only he were sound. We just don't have the funds to pay for a $1000 surgery, so we really need your help. Please check out the Facebook Cause, anything you could give would be a step towards getting him sound. Thanks all!
~Natalie
Need more info first?
Core Sample came to us a little lame in his right front ankle; when we x-rayed we found he had several chips, most of which are removable and all of which will probably cause the early onset of arthritis if not removed. At the moment he is stiff in that leg but not lame. If we could get the chips out, he would not only live a more comfortable life but would also probably find an adoptive home. Leah, one of our training interns from the fall, has been fostering him and says he is a very sweet, smart fellow who could find a great home if only he were sound. We just don't have the funds to pay for a $1000 surgery, so we really need your help. Please check out the Facebook Cause, anything you could give would be a step towards getting him sound. Thanks all!
~Natalie
Monday, March 2, 2009
Update: March 2nd
Hi all,
MMSC is expanding our web presence--we now have a MySpace and are listed on MySpace IMPACT. I am putting together our own widget for donations towards Corey's ankle surgery (hence the picture above). The vet has quoted us $1,000 to remove his chips (and that's with our discount, eeech) and he's a really nice horse so we would love to get those out so he could be adopted. Please donate all you can!
We're working away on the March enewsletter...look for it on thoroughbredadoption.com in the coming week.
Also scouting out new horses to bring in, as three of ours already have contracts open and the Center hasn't even opened to the public again yet! We're hoping Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue, Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program or Angel Acres Horse Haven will be good enough to send us one of their trainees to fill our barn. Stay tuned!
That's all for now!
~Natalie
Friday, February 20, 2009
February enewsletter is now online!
Hi everybody,
Susanna and I have managed to turn out the February edition of our enewsletter. Check it out:
http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/mc_images/category/35/mmsc_enewsletter_feb_19.pdf
Susanna and I have managed to turn out the February edition of our enewsletter. Check it out:
http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/mc_images/category/35/mmsc_enewsletter_feb_19.pdf
Friday, February 13, 2009
Update: February 13th
Hi folks!
As you might have seen via Facebook, we survived the Kentucky ice storm without too much damage: just a few trees down in our back pasture and a brief spell without power. The roads around Lexington were quite bad for a few days so none of us was able to get in, but fortunately our horses were still off-campus where they had caretakers in residence so they were well-cared for.
We have now brought two horses, Jay's Dream and Code Forty back into the Center to go back into training early as they each have a potential adopter interested in them. The others will likely be trickling in over the next three weeks.
We begin construction on our run-in sheds Monday the 16th! Thanks in large part to the TRF and High Hope Steeplechase we now have the funds available and will be starting next week with the hopes that they will be finished before the horses are scheduled to come back.
We have chosen our interns for the spring 09 semester! Brittany comes to us from the Georgetown Equine Scholars Program and will be our equine communications intern, so look for blog posts from her in the next several weeks. Hayley is also from Georgetown Equine Scholars, she will be completing our training internship; she has extensive eventing and showing experience and will be showing some of our trainees at the Horse Park. Travers is our farm management intern, coming from University of Kentucky's new equine program. He hopes to combine Jerry's expertise in farm management and horse asessment with his strong communications sckills. Also joining us for part of this semester will be Emily from Paul L. Dunbar High School, who is doing a six-week rotation in career studies for her graduation requirement. Congratulations to all our new students!
We've attracted some supporters to our cause at www.igive.com but we need more! In these tough economic times, it's a great way to give money to your favorite charity (read: the Secretariat Center!) without spending any extra yourself. Check it out!
As you might have seen via Facebook, we survived the Kentucky ice storm without too much damage: just a few trees down in our back pasture and a brief spell without power. The roads around Lexington were quite bad for a few days so none of us was able to get in, but fortunately our horses were still off-campus where they had caretakers in residence so they were well-cared for.
We have now brought two horses, Jay's Dream and Code Forty back into the Center to go back into training early as they each have a potential adopter interested in them. The others will likely be trickling in over the next three weeks.
We begin construction on our run-in sheds Monday the 16th! Thanks in large part to the TRF and High Hope Steeplechase we now have the funds available and will be starting next week with the hopes that they will be finished before the horses are scheduled to come back.
We have chosen our interns for the spring 09 semester! Brittany comes to us from the Georgetown Equine Scholars Program and will be our equine communications intern, so look for blog posts from her in the next several weeks. Hayley is also from Georgetown Equine Scholars, she will be completing our training internship; she has extensive eventing and showing experience and will be showing some of our trainees at the Horse Park. Travers is our farm management intern, coming from University of Kentucky's new equine program. He hopes to combine Jerry's expertise in farm management and horse asessment with his strong communications sckills. Also joining us for part of this semester will be Emily from Paul L. Dunbar High School, who is doing a six-week rotation in career studies for her graduation requirement. Congratulations to all our new students!
We've attracted some supporters to our cause at www.igive.com but we need more! In these tough economic times, it's a great way to give money to your favorite charity (read: the Secretariat Center!) without spending any extra yourself. Check it out!
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