--- Our Rescue Page ---
To highlight our Rescue page, we thought we would tell you the tale of Plum Rum Peanuts, a retired pacer we purchased as a pleasure horse long before we became involved in the harness racing business. This is our testimony about what terrific family horses these
Standardbreds can become.
Born in 1969 from Hanover stock, Peanuts first raced on the east coast. He arrived in California in 1976, finally leaving the track in 1978 with 18 career wins. We're still looking for specifics, but assume Peanuts was retrained and became a pleasure horse shortly thereafter.
In 1982 we purchased Peanuts for trail riding. We had to teach him to neck rein and acclimate him to the trails, but he learned quickly.
His early training gave him terrific stamina. In his prime, he never failed to keep up with the other breeds, and in fact often leads the group. He is a pleasure to ride: his slow lope is as smooth as glass and the few times he slips into a pace he just glides.
In 1996 at the age of 26, Peanuts was invited to return to Cal Expo and lead the post parade for the first few weekends of the
meet.
September 20, 2001 update. We lost Peanuts late this afternoon; I guess he decided it was his time to move on. He had his dinner and we found him about an hour later. At age 32, Peanuts was healthy and seemed content throughout his old age. A wonderful all-around horse and pet, he will be missed very much.
Recently, Keith took one of our horses that did not make
it to the races on a trip to Bodie, California for some trail riding
experience. Take a look at
Hibeamer's first trail ride here. Also,
his 2nd ride in 2004 here
Do Yourself a Favor and Consider a Standardbred
(Here are a few more links to assist you in your search for that special horse:)
The Grace Foundation of Northern California is an equine rescue and rehabilitation facility located in El Dorado Hills, CA.
TROTR is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to assisting retired racing horses learn new careers, as well as caring for abused or abandoned horses and finding them new, loving homes. Our adventure began with the purchase of a small ranch just south of Woodland, CA. Our passion has grown to include Draft horses, Mustangs, Standardbreds, Mini's and one very lovable little Donkey.
Exracers.com. The online community for retraining all kinds of exracers.
U.S. Trotting Association Rescue Contacts including:
Standardbred Rescue: Michelle Staples is the contact in northern California
American Standardbred Adoption Program (ASAP)
Standardbred Retirement Foundation Eastern Rescue
Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine encourages recruitment, retraining, placement and promotion of the Standardbred horse's versatility for pleasure purposes before, during, and after harness racing careers.
Standardbred Pleasure & Performance Horse Association of NSW Australia, Inc.
The Standardbred Fan Club is comprised of people who have Standardbreds, are interested in the breed, want to make friends with other Standardbred owners or fans, and anyone from anywhere in the world! At present, the Club runs out of Epona Stable located in British Columbia, Canada.
Dignity After Racing
Somewhere...
(Stanley Harrison)
Somewhere in time's Own Space There must be some sweet pastured
place Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow Some Paradise where
horses go, For by the love that guides my pen I know great horses
live again.
-- Please read! --
Still 'lucky' in his second career
