Mari Hulman George stands with SMWC President Dottie King before last year’s thoroughbred adoption event.
Thoroughbred track horses await their new homes and second careers, which will be realized at the Mari Hulman George Thoroughbred Adoption at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC). Although the adoptable horses from the Mari Hulman George Circle S Ranch are retiring from racing, they have the potential to be successful in a variety of off-the-track careers. The adoption will take place on Sat., Oct. 11, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“The horse industry is a very close-knit community and to work in partnership with one another is something we are honored to do,” states Angie McMillin, SMWC stable manager. “Both the Circle S Ranch and the College see great value in doing what we can to see that these wonderful animals get a second chance, and allow them to excel in a new avenue of the industry.”
The thoroughbred horses, many of which had careers as competitive racehorses, seek a new start in a caring home. Available for adoption are 13 thoroughbreds with ages ranging from three to 15. The horses are “green broke” and still require training. The adoption provides a new opportunity for the horses as well as the SMWC students who are working with the horses on campus until the adoption.
Cathleen Poole, along with several other SMWC equine students, helped with last year’s Mari Hulman George Thoroughbred Adoption.
“The benefits for our students are endless really … The hands-on experience, having a client relationship with potential adopters, training experiences, time management,” McMillin explains. “The students are giving up free time to prepare these horses for the adoption event. That includes working with the horses on a daily basis, reinforcing ground manners, riding them and evaluating their dispositions. They are all volunteering their time, and they are giving up their fall break to stay on campus to be at the event and help with the adoption process.”
Applicants are:
- Financially responsible for providing proper care and the $125 adoption fee,
- Required to notify SMWC within 30 days of any change in the adopter’s address,
- Available at any time for inspection of horse and facility, and
- Responsible for transportation from the adoption fair by Oct. 12, 2014.
“Our equine program is unique in that we have what we consider a ‘working barn.’ Students are very involved in not only the care of the horses but care of the facility, arenas, organizing events and being visible to the public through our public lesson program,” states McMillin. “For this adoption, they get to be in the organizational process of the entire event and have the opportunity to see firsthand what impact to the horse industry this second chance for ex-racehorses has on the industry itself.”