Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to retraining and re-homing retired thoroughbred racehorses. We are an all-volunteer organization located in scenic Spencer, New York whose thoroughbreds come both straight off the track and through local at-risk sales ads. Once at our facility, our horses are assessed and given downtime before starting a suitable retraining program to prepare them for a new career. Our training philosophy is horse-centered; helping the horses learn a discipline they are willing and able to excel at based on both physical and mental strengths and abilities. Our thoroughbreds start their training by learning to be more balanced at the walk, trot and canter as well as learning to have smoother transitions between gaits. Some of our thoroughbreds are introduced to poles and cross rails, eventually graduating to jumping small courses and competing at local shows. Some of our horses become more confident on the flat and with dressage work and others learn the ins and outs of trail riding. Our horses have gone on to excel in many disciplines including hunters, jumpers, eventing, dressage, barrel racing, pleasure, trail and as companion animals. All of our thoroughbreds are adopted under a no racing/no auction/no breeding contract with right of first refusal and are in our care for a minimum of 30 days prior to being eligible for adoption. Our horses are kept up-to-date on shots, worming, hoof care, dentistry and are healthy prior to leaving our facility. We also maintain an active social media presence and regularly network thoroughbreds needing homes in our area.
As part of our educational outreach programming, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc. has an established horsemanship program that offers riding education at our facility. We offer year-round horseback riding lessons for children and adults and a summer fun program designed for children who love horses and want to learn more about riding and horse management, with specific emphasis on thoroughbred aftercare. We teach English style riding, jumping and dressage starting from the basics – grooming, tacking and mounting. Our focus is on promoting learning in a fun, safe environment.
Our largest fundraising event is our annual all-thoroughbred show, the Thoroughbred Jubilee Benefit Horse Show. In 2013, our inaugural show had an amazing turnout of 48 registered thoroughbreds over two, fun-filled days! This years show included many Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) sponsored divisions and classes, covering hunters, jumpers, English pleasure, Western pleasure and three high point awards. Thank you to all who attended our 2014 Thoroughbred Jubilee Benefit Horse Show!
Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc. is proud to host biannual low-cost gelding clinics open to all breeds. The Social Club Initiative Gelding Program was designed to help combat over-breeding and backyard breeding in our area and is named after Social Club, the first colt gelded at our facility. Since 2012, we have helped geld 17 colts and stallions and have hosted two successful gelding clinics.
