Farrier Fund Summer 2024

,      Dear Friend of the TRF Herd,

I am so happy to find myself involved in aftercare with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). It brings me joy to apply my 28 years of experience in the racing industry to this vital cause. During my time on the racetrack, I was reminded that the adage “No Hoof, No Horse” proves true time and time again. I was fortunate to watch some highly skilled professionals in their tireless care of the hoof: unassuming grooms kneeling in the straw next to a foot tub, veterinarians with their eyes focused on the flashing feet of a horse at a trot, and true master farriers bent over the wonder that is a Thoroughbred’s hoof. While the Thoroughbreds in our herd don’t have the same needs as a horse-in-training, their care is just as important, and a blacksmith remains an invaluable constant in their lives. We rely on our Farrier Fund to provide this annual care for our 400+ horses.

               The front feet of a horse carry 60% of their body weight, and maintaining a healthy hoof is a key component of maintaining overall health and mobility. This mobility becomes especially important as a horse ages; the average age of our herd is 22, so our senior citizens often require extra attention from a talented team of farriers and foot specialists. One such specialist, leading national equine surgeon Dr. Patty Hogan, recently performed surgery to remove a keratoma from the hoof of one member of our herd at the Central Maryland Correctional Facility. Although it is a benign tumor, the pressure from a keratoma can cause tissue death and damage to the coffin bone, which can quickly become a life-threatening situation. Our horses may also require additional care and corrective shoeing due to infirmities such as arthritis, laminitis, and conformational defects and deficiencies. The Farrier Fund is where we source payments for this specialty care.

The routine care of our horses’ hooves is also a teaching moment for the incarcerated men, women and youth in the TRF Second Chances Programs. These students can see how different hoof angles, ailments of the bone, and other geriatric issues affect our herd. Many of our farriers go above and beyond by showing them the trade of blacksmithing and why it is so important. The skill is not an easy one, taking years of dedicated learning and knowledge of the horse as a whole. This knowledge has resulted in some of our students pursuing a post-release career as a farrier – a fact of which we are immensely proud! However, this invaluable teaching tool does come at a price: imagine a pedicure for 1,600 feet every 8 weeks. This quickly adds up to nearly $400 per horse each year!

               All of these factors are encompassed in the simple phrase: no hoof, no horse. Join me in supporting the Farrier Fund! Our goal is to raise $100,000 to cover the cost of the hoof care of our retired racehorses. Please help them continue their life changing work as teachers to the men, women and youth who need them the most.

Thank you for your generosity,

Maggie Sweet

Chief Operating Officer