A nonprofit organization founded to raise money for retired racehorses has awarded $515,000 to 22 aftercare charity partners across the country, including some in Southern California, officials announced.
The California Retirement Management Account, which is closely associated with Santa Anita Park, announced the recipients of this year’s Howard “Howie” Zucker Grant Program, named in honor of its late past president, Howard Zucker, on Thursday.
Grants were given to the following groups:
— After the Homestretch Arizona
— CANTER California
— Canter Haven Farm
— Center for Racehorse Retraining
— Champions Retreat
— Desert Oasis Rescue
— Down The Stretch Ranch
— Eclipse TB Aftercare
— Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Inc. (GEVA Inc.)
— Harmony and Hope Horse Haven, Inc.
— Healing Arenas, Inc.
— Hope For Horses, Inc.
— Horse Power Sanctuaries Inc. dba Redwings Horse Sanctuary
— Old Friends, Inc.
— Racehorse Remember Me Foundation (DBA Remember Me Rescue)
— Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center
— Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation
— Square Peg Foundation
— United Pegasus Foundation
— Whispering Meadows Ranch Equine Rescue
— Win Place Home, Inc.
— Zen Heart Horsemanship Inc. & Let’s Ride Therapeutic Equestrian Program
CARMA said those organizations “provide retired racehorses with rehabilitation, retraining, and placement into second careers — while also enriching their communities through therapeutic riding programs, educational opportunities, and hands-on volunteerism.”
Officials also announced the debut the CARMA Aftercare Partner Badge, a new “mark of distinction” awarded annually to its approved aftercare charities. The badge signals to owners, adopters, donors, and the broader racing community that the organization has met CARMA’s standards for care, transparency and operational excellence.
“We’re seeing a real shift among new owners,” CARMA President Billy Koch said. “Responsible aftercare is now one of the first things they ask about, and that simply wasn’t the case in years past. It’s a clear sign that our advocacy is making an impact and that responsible aftercare is becoming part of the conversation from day one.”
More information about the charities can be found at carma4horses.org/aftercare_charities/.