Retired Racehorses

THE COST OF RETIRED RACEHORSES
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Based on an average lifespan of 30 years, the
American Veterinary Medical Association estimated
in 2008 the average cost of unwanted or at-risk
horses of all breeds at $1,825 annually ($5 per day)
without factoring in the then-recognized increased
cost of feed and hay. This estimate is consistent
with 2011 costs reported by The Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation.
Little Brook Farm, a horse rescue and sanctuary in
Old Chatham, NY, estimates their costs for a healthy
young horse in a pasture retirement scenario at
approximately $2,500 annually ($6.85/day) for feed
and hay. This does not include veterinary or farrier
care.
ReRun, a national thoroughbred rescue and
retraining organization with a chapter in Fulton,
NY, factors $10/day ($3,650 annually) as a baseline
cost for feed, hay and stall (if needed) for a retired
racehorse awaiting adoption.
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
estimates that it costs an average additional $5 per
day per horse in rehabilitation and retraining for
adoption.
Cost comparisons across the country:
• Tranquility Farm, based in Tehachapi, California,
spends $3,000 annually for each permanently
retired racehorse at its facility. This includes full
maintenance except for veterinary and farrier
expenses.
• Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue in Glenville,
Pennsylvania spends $2,500 per horse for feed
and hay. The rescue spends $3,600 per horse
with special needs.
For the purposes of these recommendations, a
preliminary budget is included in the appendix. It
accounts for 1,624 retiring horses (Standardbred
and Thoroughbreds) per year. The costs assumed
are $7.75 per day per horse, inclusive of basic
veterinary and farrier costs for retired horses,
and $12.75 per day for six months for horses in
rehabilitation and retraining for sale or adoption.
The budget also assumes an annual decrease rate in
the total number of horses of 5 percent to account
for horses that die naturally or are humanely
euthanized by a veterinarian. The budget also
assumes that 40 percent of the horses may be sold
or adopted within six months after retirement.
This leaves 893 horses for long-term or permanent
retirement each year.
The Task Force recognizes and applauds that there
are retired racehorses that find homes that do not
require financial support.
Therefore, as detailed in the recommendation
that owners budget for at least the initial six
months of TRP for any horse they own, the Task
Force establishes an average minimum cost of
$400 per month per horse for transition from the
track followed by foundational retraining to assist
in successful placement in a second career. The
inability of an owner to pay this amount does not
preclude a retired racehorse from entering a TRP
program.
Photo courtesy of Ann McMahon