In this successful Florida program, prison inmates help ex-racehorses through physical therapy and career changes.
On the north side of Ocala, on a handsome, hilly stretch of land off 25A, there’s a little-known slice of heaven for 53 former racehorses. These Thoroughbred mares and geldings – once intense athletes on the track – now enjoy life at a quieter pace. In the paddocks, they graze in the sunshine. In the barn, they enjoy a clean, comfy setting, with dedicated caretakers.
It’s called the Florida Division of the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, but don’t let the name confuse you. Sure, horses living here aren’t in the fast lane anymore. They are off the track, many recovering from a career-ending sports injury. But if all goes well, these athletes won’t be retired for long. They are kind of like human track stars who have suffered an injury and are encouraged to pick up a new profession. All they need is a little time to heal up and learn a new gig.
At the Florida TRF, Florida-bred Thoroughbreds have a chance to rest and get better, however long it takes. As they heal, each horse is offered for adoption, whereby new owners enjoy the horses in a variety of disciplines.
“We have 25 horses right now being ridden and who are ready to be adopted,” said John Evans, who oversees the program. “Some will be nice trail horses or pleasure horses. Others might go into light competition.”
But the real beauty of the Florida TRF is that each horse is cared for by women inmates from the Lowell Correctional Institute. The women – all convicted felons but all considered “minimum security” – spend each day doing barn chores, feeding, doctoring and grooming, as well as working the horses through physical therapy and teaching new disciplines. The women, referred to as students, spend a considerable amount of time in the classroom, too, studying equine care. The curriculum includes 22 written tests.
John Evans’ official title is Vocational Teacher of Equine Care Technology for the Florida Department of Corrections. As a lifelong horseman, his qualifications keep the farm and its horses on track. As a teacher and an all-around good guy, he admits he’s probably also a bit like a father figure to the students.
“It’s amazing to see the change come over the students as they go through the program,” Evans said. “This is great rehabilitation. The students’ work ethics grow strong, and they learn all about horses and how to care for them.”
Ultimately, Evans hopes the students will take their new skills with them into the workforce, after their sentence is complete. Fifteen women currently participate in the program. Over the past two years, 22 have graduated.
Student Dawn Driggers is the most accomplished rider in the program at this time, having worked with horses before her incarceration. At the Florida TRF, she’s the first rider up in the irons on a new horse. Other students ride, as well.
“All the horses are at different stages right now,” Driggers said as she rode a Thoroughbred gelding in the round pen. “Some are healing from injuries, and others are ready to ride out on the trails. We re-school them to walk, trot and canter – basic stuff. Plus, we have some jumps, poles, logs and cavalletti set up for others.”
Evans points out that most of the adoptable Thoroughbreds in the program won’t “vet” for intense competition or heavy work. They are, however, great prospects for light riding.
“Fifty percent of the horses that are brought here have non-life threatening injuries to the suspensory ligament or tendon injuries,” Evans said. “About thirty percent are predominately joint injuries of the ankle or knee. Some others just have undiagnosed infirmities that compromise their racing abilities.”
Last year, when Be Be Long of Lauren, South Carolina, decided to adopt a horse for trail riding and perhaps horse show competition, she turned to the Florida TRF to see what was available. In no time, she had her heart set on Powerful Magic, a 7-year-old gelding who arrived at the Florida TRF with a suspensory injury that took about eight months to heal.
“He has beautiful conformation and could probably be great at dressage or any discipline,” Long said. “He’s been a great, great horse and a quick learner.”
Long looks forward to eventually showing the gelding at local shows, beginning in halter classes.
“We think he’ll blow everybody away,” she said. “He just arches his neck and works like he already knows exactly what he’s doing.”
A few months after adopting Powerful Magic, Long also adopted Bold Pilot, a stakes-placed earner of more than $202,000 during his career. The 13-year-old gelding is now a buddy to Powerful Magic. Long is pleased with both horses, adding that she would do just about anything to help others understand the value of the Florida TRF program.
Robin Martin of Ocala also raves about the Florida TRF. In 2001, Martin’s horse, Val’s Prince, a three-time grade I stakes winner, was retired from the racetrack, and Martins began a search for a retirement location for him. When Martin learned of the Florida TRF, she relocated the gelding to the property, where he resided until his death in 2007.
“Richard Hancock and the FTBOA let me know about the Florida TRF, and I’ll always be grateful,” Martin said. “Val’s Prince got the greatest of care from the inmates. The match up between the humans and the horses is truly amazing. The horses respond to the humans, and the humans respond to the horses – it’s the perfect connection.”
