A thoroughbred racehorse is born, trained, and running by the time it is two or three years old.

But what many may not realize is that a thoroughbred’s natural lifespan can easily stretch to 30 years. As owners, trainers, and track operators, we may only hold the reins for a fraction of these horses’ lives, but our responsibility for their welfare does not end when their racing careers do.

When a horse breaks from the gate at Saratoga or Belmont, most people only see a few minutes of racing. What they don’t see is the quiet-yet-robust funding infrastructure that works every single day to ensure these elite athletes receive the long-term care they deserve.

New York has taken important steps to support aftercare through mandatory industry assessments and other mechanisms to help sustain rehabilitation and retirement programs.

These policies are vital, but programs succeed........

© The Saratogian