The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Fails Its Horses

Robin " But this foundation had an impeccable reputation until the NYT smeared them maybe a bit prematurely. I believe TRF should be given the benefit of Drape's doubts. He's jumped the gun too fast in the past. Lets try to help the TRF in their work to give these horses the care" Using TRF's "impeccable reputation" as a defense that therefore "nothing is wrong" is the exact reason why it took us so long to call attention to this situation. Well over a year ago, a collective effort of gathering facts and documenting those facts began, as a result of horses from the Circle E (Gayle Englande's farm) and Out2Pasture (Robin Hurst's farm) being moved to other, lower per diem farms. My concern at that time was not about the money TRF owed us, but rather, that they were going to move my horses to strictly turnout facilities-I knew the horses residing on our farm would not be able to survive in those situations. I would like to clarify here: my definition of special needs pretty much includes all OTTBs-bc in my experience (albeit limited compared to others) OTTBs need extra groceries (high quality alfalfa, grain) and shelter (a basic need NOT provided by some of the satellite farms). The TRF horses residing on our farm are not cripples-they all have had intake exams and are provided preventative health care measures-typically on our dime-I knew they would not have such care on these other farms. We followed the appropriate protocol of contact regarding alerting the TRF board of our concerns--numerous times--then nothing was addressed by the board, it was at that time that we reached out to two of the largest animal welfare groups for help-they did not take our concerns seriously either-using the same argument of TRF's "impeccable reputation".

It would seem to me that the NY AG will do a very independent review of the TRF. However I would like to clarify this story since I'm the one on the cover of the NYTimes with the 2 horses and own Circle E Ranch. This problem of the farms not being paid, no wormer or vaccine for the horses has been going on si April 08. When I finally refused to lower my per diem from $5.00 a day to $3.00 a day at our special care farm I was threatened that my horses would be moved to farms that were on the cheap. However, the special horses I had came to me from the cheap providers and could not survive in that environment. Thus a vicious circle. TRF moved my herd, sent them to 2 different farms and it's my understanding 2 of my horses died within 8 months. There had been enough complaints from 11/09 through 12/10 that went ignored by TRF that the Mellon Trustees hired an independent vet to conduct the evaluations. I would opine that the information being provided by the vet Dr. Huntington wasn't what TRF wanted to hear so that fired her and the Mellon estate pulled its money from TRF only after spending approx. $50,000. on emergency care, food to the farms and medicine as well as paying for the evaluations. To go back, when the trustees embarked on their quest to help the horses, there were so many emaciated and starving horses that the trustees called me to see if the Circle E Ranch would open their hearts as well as their ranch to the TRF horses once again so they had a special care farm to send the sick and starving ones to. We discussed it among ourselves that night and agreed to do the job. I have intake pictures of these 14 horses alone that came to our ranch and also you should note that one was so bad that I couldn't bring him aroung and he had to be euthanized on Feb 11, 2011. They were placed on my ranch on 1/24/11 in emaciated condition and starved. One should note that when you get into the little knitpicking of starved or thin, it only takes one day to go from thin to starved. People need to get it...that means no food. No oversight...no help from TRF to the farms. The farms were sent the horses, contracted with them for payment, and then left to care for the horses basic needs on their own dime. The farms were left high and dry with no money to feed the horses. In closing, they talk about staff of TRF taking a cut in pay, etc. I'd like to know how many of them went without their morning starbucks or food in their stomach because there was no money to buy food. How many went without a paycheck for months on end like the farms did and couldn't provide food for the horses. How many staff went without medicine when they needed it like the horses went without innoculations for 2 years and the same goes for wormer. These are the questions I'd like answers to. People talk about TRF is the biggest rescue in the world. Well, that doesn't mean anything when you can't take care of you inventory and in this case that's the horses. Additionally it should be noted that there are alot of wonderful smaller rescues that so a great job, pay their bills and work together with other rescues to acheive the same goal that TRF was suppose to meet. In my opinion there is no excuse that this problem was ignored by the entire board when I have copies of emails and letter showing the information of "lack of basic care causing the horses to be at risk" were all sent from 11/09 thru 12/10. Joe Drape wrote every word of truth in hopes of championing for the horses and I'd say he did a wonderful job. Finally, it's gotten someones attention!

Personally, I would not line a birdcage with the New York Times. While it used to be a respected newspaper, it's standards have dropped woefully and it prefers to pursue it's own political agenda rather than the truth. It's journalistic standards are nonexistent. That said, the allegations need to be researched by an independent organization (is there a truly independent organization anywhere anymore?) and if fraud or problems are found, they need to be addressed. If funds are sorely lacking, then perhaps the TRF needs to limit the scope of their very worthwhile endeavors.

"Obviously, there is some form of fraud going on here. The organization needs a full audit and probably completely new management."

I understand all too well about financial issues, and it appears this organization was founded with the most altruistic principles. It's a tragic and, to me, unforgivable fact that many sanctuaries are going under due to our global financial crisis. The answer? I honestly do not know. While the uber-wealthy continue to steal from the rest of us and get away with it, and we have now not one, but THREE idiotic wars going, I don't have a lot of hope; but what hope I do have is for compassionate and responsible caregiving for all of the blameless and vulnerable all over the world -- whatever species they may be.

Thanks Tj for the other side of the story. I do hope that more information is forthcoming which will bring light to what the NYT's article may indeed have neglected to add to the picture.