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So What Exactly Do I Do?

A Brief Explanation of My Job and Why I Do It

By Chloe RasPublished 6 years ago 2 min read
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Pickles and Tube Socks enjoying  the sun

While I’ve only been in my current position for a few months, my love of horses goes back as far as I can remember. No, really; I don’t remember a time in my life when we didn’t own horses. We owned two OTTBs (off the track thoroughbreds) which is how I was introduced to them and started my own research into their versatility after racing. I work for a nonprofit called After the Races, which is dedicated to rehabilitating and retraining thoroughbreds once their time at the track is done. We see all kinds of horses and injuries come through our facility, and all kinds of future careers for these horses once they are adopted.

Day to day my job is feeding, turnout, basic medical care, etc. of the twenty horses we have everyday, twice a day. Even with all of my experience before this job, I’m still constantly learning new things and being able to care for and ride such a wide variety of horses is even better experience. My boss is an amazing horsewoman with a world of knowledge and her own experience that makes it possible for her to run this place. Together with our volunteers we’re able to find great homes for our horses and follow them through their lives (with the help of social media, of course!).

With all of these good feelings of seeing the horses progress and be adopted, there are of course downsides. We sometimes have horses whose injuries are beyond our capabilities, and who are no longer able to be ridden. We know the uncertainty of adopting out companion horses (horses who are only suitable for sitting in a pasture), as they are often the first to go to auction when financial situations turn sour; and no horse should have to endure that. When a horse is not able to be ridden, we make the very hard decision to humanely euthanize them. It is never an easy decision; it is not one we make lightly. We always consult extensively with our vet, and sometimes other vets, before a horse is euthanized. We have also in the past donated horses to hospitals for terminal studies, in which the horse can be used to further equine medical research before being euthanized. In this, we feel that at least the horse will be used to benefit future horses and be used for good. The vets who conduct these studies always put the comfort of the horse first, and they are never in pain while in the study. Euthanizing horses is not a common occurrence here, and if the horse is even suitable for light riding, we will do all we can to find them a good home.

My experience here will benefit me in my intended career in equine therapy, and we have even talked about starting a chapter here for veterans to work with our horses. I believe we do amazing work here and I love what I do and being able to share it with others so they can see the good parts of the racing industry and the versatility and strength of thoroughbreds.

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About the Creator

Chloe Ras

Living my dream, retraining racehorses for second careers! I write about the horses that come through, as well as more personal stories about family and other things!

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