Taking care of our own
ABOUT PTHA’S TURNING FOR HOME
Turning For Home (TFH), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, who truly does take care of our own. The majority of funding comes from Owners, Jockeys, the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (PTHA), Parx management, and the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association. Turning for Home revolutionized the way racehorse retirement is approached and is the model Thoroughbred Racehorse aftercare program. Thanks to the foresight of the PTHA, in 2008, the program was established to bridge the gap between the transition from a racing career to a second career for the Thoroughbreds at Parx Racing. Turning For Home (TFH) became the first on-track retirement program at a year-round racetrack, and is responsible for the safe placement of over 4,300 racehorses.
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To place a horse with TFH, Owners simply need to complete an Intake Form and transfer the foal papers. These documents are then forwarded to the Jockey Club to officially mark the horse as "Retired from Racing", guaranteeing that every horse in our program will no longer race. Since 2008, no eligible horse has been declined from the program, all thanks to the generous contributions from Racehorse Owners who form the PTHA at Parx Racing.
TOP VETERINARY CARE
Since our office is located right here on the grounds of Parx Racing, we have the unique ability to schedule emergency veterinary procedures quickly. This allows some horses, who may not have had the opportunity for a complete recovery, to transition into a second career with minimal or no restrictions. We consult with local surgeons, especially those from The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, and the treating veterinarians, for rehabilitation plans. If surgery is recommended, TFH pays a discounted fee and sets up the best rehabilitation plan with the appropriate Partner Farm. This allows us to better help each horse that comes through our program.
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The Partner Farm Network
Taking care of our own doesn’t end when our horses leave the racetrack. We depend on a network of Partner Farms, with whom we have a close relationship, in the Eastern US whose expertise is in realigning racehorses to a second career and farm environment. Our dedicated and diverse team focuses on rehabilitating, retraining, and finding new homes for our horses on these farms. Their goal is to guide Thoroughbreds into their next phase of life successfully. Matching riders to horses is their specialty. Most Partner Farms are non- profit or working towards that status, and all of them follow the AAEP Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities. TFH also promises to take back any of our alumni for any reason.
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While Turning for Home is not a sanctuary, our Partner Farm network allows us to give each horse as much time as they need to go on to a new career. Our program model provides each horse with a stipend, and adoption fees are utilized to support the longer rehabs. Our horses are never rushed and we are able to accommodate individual needs. Adopting a horse from TFH helps secure a stall for another retiree, so you are actually helping two when you adopt from us!
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VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDRAISING
Our Volunteers truly care about our cause and work with us on many levels, from on-site merchandise tables to assisting with outreach and fundraising. We also depend on sponsorship and public donations to make ends meet. Thanks to these donations, we can keep our pledge to accept every eligible horse. It takes a village, and we are proud to have amazing people working to help us help them!
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Contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities!
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Q & A
How do I adopt a horse?
Adoption applications can be found online at www.turningforhome.org. After you submit it, you will be contacted by our Partner Farms, who have horses fitting your criteria.
Is there an adoption application fee?
There is no adoption application fee, but all adopters are carefully screened before an appointment is made to meet our horses.
Where are the horses located?
Currently, we have 22 Partner Farms. There are ten farms in PA, 5 in NJ, and others on the East Coast from CT down to FL
and KY.
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Does Turning For Home keep track of its adopted horses?
At TFH, we take great care in monitoring our graduates and promoting the responsible retirement of all racehorses. We provide regular adoption updates from adopters to educate the industry and encourage racehorse owners to retire their horses while they can still transition into a riding career. Adopters must sign a Right of First Refusal/No Auction contract, submit their information to TFH, and update TFH with every change hand.
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What’s the difference between adopting and purchasing an OTTB?
Adopting from TFH comes with the added security that the horse can always be returned. Or we can help you rehome your OTTB. It is an umbrella of protection from a prominent horseman’s group that cares about each horse.