From new foals who capture your heart to the beginning of the Thoroughbred breeding season, love is in the air around Horse Country! Read on to learn more about the daily routines for Thoroughbreds of all ages during this time of the year.
Stallions
Valentine’s Day is the unofficial start of the Thoroughbred breeding season, with breeding sheds around the Bluegrass opening their doors in mid-February. Stallions will have a regular routine of paddock turn-out, time in their stalls, and time for breeding sessions, with schedules varying from farm to farm. While you won’t find roses and bubbly beverages in the breeding shed, stallions will always look their best for breedings, getting groomed before each session – they’ve got to impress the ladies!
Want to learn more about stallions? Click here to view the various stallion-focused Horse Country experiences.
Mares and Foals
Foaling season is in full swing, with new arrivals making their appearance on a daily basis. Prior to their foals arriving, broodmares will spend a majority of their time outside, primarily coming inside for routine care. As their foaling date draws closer, they will begin coming into stalls overnight so they can be monitored and kept safe when it’s time to give birth.
Once a foal is born, they are able to stand and nurse within just a few hours! Foals are typically born at night, and by the next morning they are ready for some time outside in a paddock with mom. As foals grow older, their time spent outdoors will be extended, and they will graduate from a round pen to small paddock, and eventually a large pasture with other mares and foals.
Want to get up close and personal with mares and foals? Click here to view the Horse Country experiences at nursery farms.
Yearlings
Foals are weaned at about six months old, and on January 1st they officially turn one year old. Yearlings spend a majority of their time outdoors in large pastures, playing with their fellow yearlings. The rolling hills of Kentucky make for the perfect way for young horses to build muscle and stamina as they grow up. Yearlings will come inside for a few hours each day for routine care and grooming.
The Thoroughbred racing season is primarily based in warmer climates during the winter months, with big races taking place in states like California, Florida and Louisiana. Many racing stables will travel south to train and race, before returning north for the spring season. Here in Kentucky, you can watch live racing at Turfway Park in Florence, about an hour north of Lexington, until the end of March.
Most two-year olds will be in the early stages of pre-training at specialized training facilities, learning the ins and outs of how to be a racehorse.
Learn about the process of training racehorses on a tour of Keeneland.
Retired Racehorses
There’s no off season in equine care, and that includes the care of retired racehorses in training for a second career. Horses in need of rehabilitation and training for a non-racing career spend time at facilities such as the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, New Vocations, Second Stride and the Secretariat Center to master ground manners and learn the skills needed to be a riding horse. New horses arrive at these facilities year round, looking for a new home to thrive in for their second career.
Meet adoptable horses and learn more about the retraining process on a visit to one of our aftercare members.
Known for its horses and history, Paris Kentucky is a must see for visitors traveling to the Bluegrass State.
Paris is located less than twenty miles from Lexington, and the commute down the famed Paris Pike is one of the most scenic drives in Central Kentucky, with horse farms lining both sides of the road. From horse farms to historical sites and locally sourced food to a great downtown area, we’ve put together our top five things to see and enjoy in Paris and Bourbon County.
Visit a Horse Farm
Two Horse Country members call Bourbon County home – Denali Stud and Runnymede Farm. Both farms are nurseries, and provide young horses with a strong foundation for their future from the time they are born until they head off to the sales ring or racetrack.
Runnymede Farm is the oldest continuously operated Thoroughbred farm in the state of Kentucky. The farm has been passed down through generations of the Clay family, and raises mares and foals in the heart of Bourbon County. Recent champions raised at the farm include Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Lady Eli. Runnymede is a great stop for history lovers as well, as the farm is home to a number of historic buildings including Cooper’s Run Baptist Church, which was built in 1803 and is one of the oldest churches in Kentucky.
Denali Stud is a family owned and operated nursery farm, just down the road from Runnymede Farm and downtown Paris. Denali Stud was founded by former jockey Craig Bandoroff and focuses on foaling and raising young horses, many of which go on to be sold through the Denali consignment at major Thoroughbred sales. The farm has raised and/or sold such superstars as Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, Breeders’ Cup Champion Malathaat and more, and is the home of Hall of Fame racemare Serena’s Song.
Immerse Yourself in Local History
Whether you’re a history buff or exclusively interested in horsey-history, Paris is a great place to explore. For true history fans, Bourbon County is home to a number of historic sites dating back to the early days of the United States. Over two dozen historical markers are located in Paris + Bourbon County, which can be found by checking out this self guided tour from the Kentucky Historical Society. If you’re more of an equine history aficionado, the Bourbon County Horse Walk of Fame has to be on your itinerary. Throughout downtown Paris are horse shoes and nameplates featuring some of the best horses to live in Bourbon County at some point in their lives. Some horses of interest are Hall of Famer Serena’s Song (Denali Stud), Breeders’ Cup winner Midshipman (Jonabell Farm) and of course, Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
Take a Stroll Through Downtown Paris
Downtown Paris is the perfect place to get a taste of small town Southern hospitality – with a hint of Parisian flair of course (here’s to you, Mini Eiffel Tower) Shops and restaurants with locally sourced products can be found throughout the historic downtown district. A few of our favorite stops include Loch Lea Antiques, Lil’s Coffee Shop and the Paris/Bourbon County Farmers Market. While you’re walking along main street, be sure to look down occasionally to see the Bourbon County Horse Walk of Fame.
Eat Locally
One thing you need to know about Kentucky is that we take local food seriously here, and thanks to a strong agriculture industry, lots of restaurants use locally sourced ingredients from area farms. Paris has two restaurants in particular that are well known for the tasty Kentucky fare. Trackside at the Depot is located just outside of downtown Paris in the historic Paris train depot, and is well known for its food and selection of bourbon. Windy Corner Market is located a bit south of Paris, but the food and views are more than worth a short drive.
Experience the Bourbon Trail
When visiting Bourbon County, a distillery tour or at least a few sips of some Kentucky Bourbon should be on your itinerary. Hartfield and Company was the first distillery to open in Bourbon County after Prohibition forced the closure of the industry in 1919. This craft distillery offers tours that give an up-close look at how bourbon is made, as well as the history of their company and Bourbon County as a whole. Even if bourbon isn’t your drink of choice, distillery tours provide unique insight into the process of creating top notch beverages and often include local lore and tales about Kentucky’s history.
LEXINGTON, Ky – The Horse Country board of directors has undergone several updates through spring of this year, including newly elected board members at the annual member meeting on January 19th. The Board of Directors has also elected a new executive committee with some minor restructuring, and at the March board meeting, a new board member was appointed to see out the term of a board member who chose to resign due to a position change within their organization.
Newly Elected Directors
At the annual meeting on January 19th, 2023, Horse Country members voted to approve new board members, Ande Day of Lane’s End Farm, and Leslie Miller, the newly appointed Vice President of Marketing for Visit Lex. Ande fills an open board seat, while Leslie replaces Gathan Borden, whose three year term ended with the calendar year.
Leslie Miller
Borden served as the Board President since August of 2021, seeing the organization through several changes including the hiring of a new executive director and a change in the touring member structure before the end of his term. The culmination of Borden’s term on the Horse Country board coincided with a new job for him as the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Destinations International. While his new position moves Borden slightly away from the Lexington tourism landscape, as he will now work from home in Louisville, Ky, he has agreed to remain on as the immediate past president where will serve in an advisory capacity.
Ande Day
Horse Country will maintain strong ties with Visit Lex as Leslie Miller replaces Borden within the organization as VP of Marketing as well as joining the Horse Country Board this year. Leslie brings extensive knowledge of the tourism marketing landscape, having worked at Cornett as VP Director of Brand Strategy, where she was a member of the executive leadership team and served as brand strategist for Cornett’s key accounts, including Keeneland, Lanes End, and VisitLEX.
Ande Farish Day joins the Horse Country board as the Farm Tour and Hospitality Manager for her family’s Lane’s End Farm. Ande has overseen Lane’s End growing involvement in Horse Country over the last several years. As well as maintaining the relationship with Horse Country, Ande hosts the tours at Lane’s End and has developed their merchandise platform which features the ever popular, Zenyatta.
Mandy Ryan
Ahead of the first quarter board meeting on March 29th, 2023, director Adam Johnson formally submitted his resignation from Horse Country’s board of directors. Johnson, first elected in 2018, brought an array of experiences from the bourbon industry and directly from his role with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In 2022, Adam was appointed as the Vice President of State Relations for the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. As he transitioned away from the day-to-day of the Bourbon Trail, Adam thought it best to step away from his Horse Country role and recommended another bourbon connoisseur in his wife and colleague, Mandy Ryan.
As part of several staff changes for the Kentucky Distillers’ Association in 2022, Mandy was promoted as the Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences. She brings her marketing prowess from the KDA to Horse Country as well as wealth of knowledge and experience in the bourbon industry and specifically with the Bourbon Trail. Mandy will be an asset to Horse Country as the initiative continues to follow in the footsteps of the Bourbon Trail. The board appointed her to serve the remainder of Adam’s term, which ends with the 2023 calendar year.
New Executive Committee
With Gathan Borden’s term as a Board of Director ending, his position as the Board President came to it’s ultimate conclusion. On his way off the board, Gathan oversaw new structuring to the executive committee of the Horse Country Board. From his recommendation, the Horse Country executive committee will now see one year terms for the Board President, Vice-President and the non-voting Past President. The Vice-President will also serve as the President-Elect, qualifying a three year engagement for said elected director.
With this new structure agreed upon by the board of directors at their first annual meeting on January 31st, 2023, Dr. Luke Fallon of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute was elected by the board as the new Board President and Kara Heissenbuttel of Keeneland was elected as the Vice-President. Gathan will remain in the non-voting, advisory position of Past President.
Nick Nicholson will continue to serve as the Secretary on the executive committee. While he is not a voting director, he will continue to have an active advisory role and participate in board of director meetings as Secretary.
A Big THANK YOU and a Warm Welcome
Since the beginning of Horse Country, only a handful of people have been as involved with the organization as Rusty Thompson. He served as the Treasurer as well as an elected director and has been a pillar of this initiative. The finances and accounting of this membership organization have required a dedicated eye over the last several years. With Rusty’s leadership, as well as with help from other vital volunteers, Horse Country is proudly in a strong financial position. After seven years of his service, the time is right for a new treasurer to take the abacus from Rusty’s capable hands.
Lizy Robertson
After an extensive search and a recommendation from a Horse Country member, Elizabeth “Lizy” Robertson agreed to take on the role. Lizy is a Financial Advisor and Branch Manager for the Lexington, Kentucky branch of Raymond James located in downtown Lexington. A Bourbon County native, Lizy brings extensive experience from the financial world as well as tenure as a treasurer on another non-profit board. Graciously, Rusty has also agreed to help with the change over through the next two months as we work to finalize our budget and formally transition to our new touring revenue structure in the next fiscal year.
As well as the updates to the executive committee, the Horse Country board is working to reestablish several of the working committees in 2023 in order to provide continued opportunity for engagement across membership, necessary support to the Horse Country staff, and to serve as a conduit to the Horse Country board of directors. The committees which will be revitalized include Marketing, Membership and Operations. Two directors will participate on each of the committees, with one director serving as the chair. Leslie Miller will act as chair of the Marketing committee, Duncan Taylor will act as chair of the Membership committee and Brianne Sharp will act as chair of the Operations committee.
The last few years have seen significant changes for Horse Country. From an international pandemic, to staffing and leadership changes, to updating the revenue structure, the organization has weathered a tumultuous time. None of it would be possible, let alone successful, without the continued support and involvement of the members and volunteer board. This collaborative initiative continues to make a positive impact on the Thoroughbred industry because it is supported by the Thoroughbred industry.
Today kicks off the Keeneland September Yearling Sale – one of the most prestigious sales events in the Thoroughbred industry! Over 4,000 Thoroughbred yearlings are cataloged for the sale, which runs from Sept. 12 – 24.
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale is an annual event that brings some of the biggest names in Thoroughbred breeding and racing from all around the world to Central Kentucky. Sales are the culmination of many years of work, from choosing a sire and dam, to breeding, raising and preparing the horse from the foaling barn to the sales ring.
The sale is broken down into six ‘books’, or catalogs, which are separated by sale date and perceived value. Book 1 horses are typically those that are seen as premium sales prospects, and each subsequent book includes horses more suited for lower budgets.
A number of factors go into appraising horses, including their pedigree, conformation, athletic ability and more, and the Keeneland sales team travels to farms to see these horses in the months leading up to the auction to assess their possible value. Each horse is then assigned a hip number which corresponds to the approximate date of their sale as well.
Employees have worked to prepare these horses for the big stage by grooming, exercising and handling them daily for the past few months to ensure their manners and physique are at their best. Horses will arrive at Keeneland a few days prior to their scheduled day in the sales ring to be shown to potential buyers. Buyers will then analyze a horse’s pedigree and physical appearance before bidding.
When it comes time for a yearling to head to the auction ring, the yearling, their handler, and an additional groom (or more than one!) will head to the ‘back ring’. The back ring gives buyers one last chance to view a horse as they are showcased prior to heading to the auction ring. Horses will be in the ring for just a few minutes at maximum, as they are bid on and hopefully sold. Once a horse is sold, it will head to its new home and prepare for the process of learning to be a racehorse!
The sale can be watched live here, starting at 1 p.m. ET on 9/12. The catalog can be viewed online here.
A number of Horse Country members are involved in the sale as consignors, breeders, stallion owners and even sales host! We’re wishing the best to all participants, especially our members and the host of the sale, Keeneland.
The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale was held this week in Lexington, and served as the kickoff to the yearling sales season in North America.
A boutique sale, with around 300 entries in one day, the Fasig-Tipton July Sale featured exciting yearlings by first crop sires along with some of the most popular stallions in the country. Seven Horse Country members had consignments, and ten members had stallions that were represented with yearlings.
Farms that have consignments at these sales work with the yearlings for months in advance to get them prepared for the sale. Yearling prep, as it is known in the racing industry, involves daily exercise to keep the fitness levels up and build muscle tone, handling the horses to ensure they are easy to work with and grooming to ensure that the horses look great for potential buyers!
Once horses arrive at the sale grounds, they will be shown to potential buyers who view the horses as they are walking and examine their conformation to determine if they are interested in purchasing the horse. Along with viewing the ‘physical’ of the horse, buyers will analyze their pedigree and the race records of their maternal and paternal families.
The following Horse Country members offered consignments at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale.
Airdrie Stud – 3 horses sold for a total of $280,000, including a $130,000 colt by Summer Front.
Darby Dan – 4 horses sold for a total of $322,000, including a $160,000 colt by Copper Bullet.
Denali Stud – 4 horses sold for a total of $770,000, including a $320,000 colt by Munnings.
Gainesway Farm – 8 horses sold for a total of $2,035,000, including the sales-topping $600,000 colt by Curlin.
Lane’s End Farm – 1 colt by Catholic Boy sold for a total of $10,000.
Mill Ridge Farm – 1 colt by Practical Joke sold for a total of $20,000.
Taylor Made Sales – 26 horses sold for a total of $2,833,000, including a $225,000 colt by Candy Ride.
The Fasig-Tipton July Sale is the first time that yearlings by a number of new stallions have been available for public offering. These stallions entered stud in 2020, and currently stand at a Horse Country member farm.
Audible (WinStar Farm) – nine yearlings sold for a total of $1,230,000.
Catalina Cruiser (Lane’s End Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $385,000.
Copper Bullet (Darby Dan Farm) – three yearlings sold for a total of $288,000.
Flameaway (Darby Dan Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $427,000
Maximus Mischief (Spendthrift Farm) – ten yearlings sold for a total of $700,000
Mitole (Spendthrift Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $542,000
Omaha Beach (Spendthrift Farm) – five yearlings sold for a total of $1,180,000
Preservationist (Airdrie Stud) – one yearling sold for a total of $50,000
Vino Rosso (Spendthrift Farm) – eleven yearlings sold for a total of $1,490,000
Row one, left to right: Hip 40 – filly by Enticed | Hip 39 – colt by Catalina Cruiser | Hip 59 – colt by Maximus Mischief, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Row two, left to right: Hip 61 – colt by Audible, consigned by Denali Stud | Hip 46 – colt by Vino Rosso | Hip 87 – filly by Flameaway Row three, left to right: Hip 11 – filly by Copper Bullet | Hip 70 – filly by Mitole | Hip 98 – colt by Omaha Beach
For more information on Fasig-Tipton, please visit their website.
School is out, summer is almost here and a long weekend is upon us – it’s the perfect time to check out some of Kentucky’s best local attractions! Horse farm tours are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about Kentucky’s signature industry.
We’ve compiled a list of horse farm tours that are being offered in Horse Country during Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 27 – Monday, May 30). Whether you are a lifelong horse fan or this will be your first time visiting a horse farm, we have an experience for you.
Tours can book up quickly, so we recommend booking online or giving us a call if you are interested in joining one of our experiences. All tours listed below are available at the time this was published, but are subject to sell out.
Be sure to check out our itineraries for ideas on locations to visit as well as things to do, eat and see in the area. For information on restaurants, lodging and other activities in the area, be sure to check out Visit Lex and Kentucky Tourism.
We would love to see your #VisitHorseCountry experience! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram at @VisitHorseCountry and Twitter at @KYHorseCountry, and use the #VisitHorseCountry for a chance to be featured on our social media channels and website.
The 2021 Pegasus World Cup is this weekend – Saturday, January 23 – and these 12 horses will be vying for the $3 million purse at Gulfstream Park. The field includes several Horse Country connections. Tune into NBC Sports on Saturday from 4:30-6PM to catch the action!
Want to read up more on the 1 1/8 mile race? Our friends at America’s Best Racing have put together this cheat sheet – check it out! Here are some Horse Country connections in the race:
It’s Thanksgiving! We are certainly thankful for each of you!
Are you hosting friends or family this week in Horse Country? Do you have a few extra days off and want to explore your hometown? Just looking for a way to get out and about? We have tours every day except Thursday this Thanksgiving week, and we’d love to have you and your guests visit Horse Country! Click on the experience below to see more + book.
Thoroughbreds are known for their prowess as racehorses but did you know the breed can compete in nearly any equestrian discipline? Below you’ll find just a few of the activities off-track Thoroughbreds can do after they leave the racetrack and why they are so good at them.
Susanna of the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center works through bomb-proofing exercises with one of the organization’s horses who will later be adopted.
1) Trail Horse
Thoroughbreds are exposed to a lot of different things while racing – from big screen televisions flashing during the races to loud tractors. Because of this, they have seen nearly everything, and most things you encounter on the trail will seem like no big deal to these horses.
“He by far was the easiest horse I’ve ever had the pleasure to work and train,” said Ashley Rusch of transitioning Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center graduate Peace Cry to trail riding. “His willingness to please was impeccable, he was incredibly smart, and a very quick learner. He was also extremely curious, which made him an amazing trail horse! He was literally scared of little to nothing. He would rather ‘inspect’ something new instead of spook at it. He trusted me as his confident leader and we made an excellent team. Trail riding was a piece of cake for him and I to transition to.”
2) Mounted Archery
A sport that has taken place for thousands of years, mounted archery is a popular activity and one that Thoroughbreds can enjoy. Speed is needed, as is a horse that will listen to subtle commands from riders. While learning to have no rein contact can be challenging for the horses–since they have to complete the course with only guidance from their riders’ legs–it is something they can learn.
“The most important part of the training is being able to let go of the reins, this is hard for him because he is use to having constant input from the reins and becomes unsure of what to do when it isn’t there,” said Thomas Rice, who is training his OTTB Shathoor in mounted archery. “Shathoor is very willing and loves to explore, he likes to jump and run. I think Thoroughbreds are great in any discipline, their willingness is the best reason to ride one.”
3) Barrel Racing
While barrel racing is known more as a sport for Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds also excel at it–in fact, one of the top barrel racing sires is a Thoroughbred, and the Thoroughbred breed helped create Quarter Horse breed of today. While Thoroughbreds aren’t used to running short distances, they soon figure out how to use their speed as an asset.
“I’ve seen Thoroughbreds barrel race and they are incredible! I believe they excel obviously because of their speed, but also because of their hearts,” said Rusch, who also competes in barrel racing with Peace Cry. “Their willingness to please is phenomenal. They will do anything you ask and try their hardest to do that task. Their athleticism is also an obvious perk to running barrels. When taking your time in training and utilizing all the right tools, Thoroughbreds can become top barrel horses.”
“In fact, one of the top barrel racing sires is a Thoroughbred – and the Thoroughbred breed helped created Quarter Horse breed of today…”
OTTBs – Off the Track Thoroughbreds go through the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center’s reschooling program to prepare them for a new career. You can see this program in action on a Horse Country tour.
4) Fox Hunting
Thoroughbreds ability to run as fast, in addition to their talent for jumping and their experiences seeing the unusual at the track, make them great fox hunting partners. In addition, their breeding for stamina makes them a great mount for a day out in the field, whether walking or galloping over a variety of terrain.
“Thoroughbreds love to hunt! They love running in a group,” said Deb Barnes, who fox hunts on her Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center graduate Photo Shoot. “They love to jump and are excited about the sport. I have never used a heel, only brakes! I like Thoroughbreds for fox hunting because they are athletic and tireless. My current counter is a Thoroughbred and he never tired in the field, eagerly takes all jumps, is agile and willing.”
Many racing jurisdictions have rules on how long a horse can race if he hasn’t broken his maiden (won a race) but it isn’t unusual to see older horses successfully running in the lower levels of racing. Many horses will also transition to steeplechasing as they get older, finding success racing over the jumps long after their flat racing days. You can find siblings from many successful horses in this type of racing, including a full brother to grade 1 winner Point of Entry.
5) Therapy Horse
While Thoroughbreds are thought of as a breed that just has running on the brain, their sensitivity also makes them great therapy horses. They have been used in hippotherapy to helping war veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder and everything in between.
One such horse used for this is stakes winner Speak Logistics, who was adopted from New Vocations in 2017.
“His career is just beginning, and he will serve as a co-therapist in our program, and clients will be interacting with him as we do activities with him to explore mental health issues, and career/personal development. There will be no riding involved with Speak, but more experience-based activities with him,” his adopter Jorge Roman told America’s Best Racing in 2017.
6) Pony Horse
While some Thoroughbreds find a new career in the arena or on the trails, some Thoroughbreds may not leave life at the track after they retire from racing. Those who transition to a new role on the track are often called pony horses or outrider horses and their jobs are to escort current and future racehorses to the track in the mornings and afternoons. You will often see “ponies” in the post parade escorting the horses or out on the track watching training in the mornings. Some famous horses who became ponies after their racing careers were over are Chindi, Lava Man, and Perfect Drift.
7) Police Horse
If you’ve been to any major city, you’ve probably seen a policeman riding a horse. Did you know that some of those mounts are retired racehorses? In fact, they’ve even helped at big events such as the Super Bowl. One Police horse, SSO Valor (registered name: Raja’s Best Dancer), has helped with crowd control at a Super Bowl, a Republican National Convention, and is used in a program helping at-risk kids as well. He was awarded the The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program’s Thoroughbred of the Year Award in 2017.
8) Eventing
Thoroughbreds have been used successfully in eventing for decades with their speed and stamina playing a big part in both the cross-country phase and being able to compete for three straight days in three very different disciplines. Some famous OTTBs currently competing in up level eventing in the U.S. are Donner and Blackfoot Mystery.
“You’ve got to analyze our sport. Our sport’s a triathlon. Really, the make and break of the sport is the cross-country day, that’s where the competition is won and lost. You’ve got to stack the laws of probability more on your side. If you’ve got a Thoroughbred that is bred to gallop a long distance at high speeds the chances of you getting around cross country unscathed is much higher than a big, fat cart horse from Europe,” Olympic eventer Boyd Martin, who rode Blackfoot Mystery at the 2016 Olympics, told America’s Best Racing.
9) Hunter/Jumpers
Thoroughbreds have played an active role in not only developing the discipline but also still competing in both hunter and jumper classes around the country. Some of the top all-time hunters and jumpers were Thoroughbreds, including the famous Gem Twist and Touch Of Class, both members of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
You can see the training a racehorse goes through by booking a tour to Keeneland or Blackwood Stables and then see the aftercare and training that goes into them after they retire at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center or Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center. If you want to see the work that goes into a show horse, Horse Country’s tour of Spy Coast Farm will give you a good idea of the training regimens of high-level show horses.
10) Driving
While driving isn’t a discipline often associated with Thoroughbreds, they can also take part in this activity. The versatility of the breed makes this no problem, and as long as the horse is willing to learn voice commands, there is no reason they can’t give this a try. In the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover, Amy Lent and Second Stride grad Delightfully finished sixth overall in the freestyle division while driving.
— Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (@TBaftercare) October 6, 2018
The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (a Horse Country member), New Vocations, and Second Stride are all accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The TAA was created and is supported by the Thoroughbred industry to help Thoroughbreds find new homes after their racing careers are finished. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center a Horse Country member) is also accredited by the TAA and works to find homes for horses of all breeds, including OTTBs. To learn more, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.
What is the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance?
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was formed by the racing industry in 2012 to provide funding to aftercare organizations that meet its strict criteria. Funded by farms and other organizations in the sport, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $13.8 million to accredited aftercare organizations since 2012, with 70 organizations currently accredited by the organization. The Kentucky Equine Adoption Center and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center are both TAA-accredited organizations that provide Horse Country tours.
It’s March! The skies are blue-er and the countdown is on for the “official” first day of spring later this month. In Horse Country, it’s also known as breeding season, foaling season, and the ramp up to the Kentucky Derby.
We don’t want you to miss a thing! Things are hopping in Kentucky, and choosing just three must-do activities was a challenge! But here we offer a cheat sheet as Spring rolls around again…
1. Foals, Foals, Foals
Admittedly, we can get sidelined midday by checking in on Foal Patrol or searching the #foalfriday hashtag on Insta…but can you blame us?!? What is better or cuter than baby horses?? Nothing, we submit…nothing.
Nursery farms raise horses, and this time of year is full of action as new life springs up all around. Breeding season is mid-February through early June, and equine gestation period is 11 months, making January – May foal season. Visit a nursery farm this time of year and you are guaranteed to ooooh and ahhhh over the sweet faces that greet you – you just might be meeting the next great champion!
The gates are open at Horse Country nursery farms – book your tickets now and get up close with some mamas and babies this spring!
Blackwood Stables is open for tours! Blackwood is a premier thoroughbred training, breaking and rehabilitation facility tucked in the rolling hills of Woodford County. This unique stop in Horse Country is a dynamic look at what makes a racehorse. Our favorite thing? Watching the horses breeze and seeing a clocker in action!
Pro tip! Training is an experience of category in Horse Country, so get a Blackwood stamp in your Horse Country Passport and be one stop closer to a free souvenir tee shirt!
3. Horse Country at Home Photo Exhibit
Local photographer Mary J Speer presents Horse Country at Home, a curated gallery of images at various Horse Country location in different seasons.
The exhibit will be available at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center beginning this Friday, March 8th with an opening reception and celebration at 6pm. A silent auction of the photography benefits the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Bluegrass Land Conservancy.
Can’t make the party? No problem! The installation is available in the gallery through May 5 & free to visit.
