Amanda Vance is a busy woman! She works full time at Upstate Equine Medical Center, teaches riding at her farm, North Country Horses, coach's an Intercollegiate Equestrian Association Team, and also leads the effort for ReRun, Inc. thoroughbred adoption organization with a location in New York rehabilitates, retrains and rehomes off the track thoroughbreds for a new careers. Amanda recently shared information about ReRun with EquineInfoExchange.com.
EIE: Tell us about your involvement with horses and how you got started with ReRun?
AV: I grew up riding and attended SUNY Cobleskill degree in Equine Science.
I have been teaching lessons for 16 years and work at Upstate Equine Medical Center. About 18 months ago, a client of mine reached out to Lisa Molloy, the Program Director of ReRun, Inc. based in Virginia about adopting a horse. After speaking with Lisa at length I was honored to be asked to help develop a program her in Saratoga. ReRun is one of the TCA Thoroughbred Charities of America and is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization.
Lisa bought me on board and I got started by rehoming in February on 2014.
EIE: What are the benefits for the horse when entering the ReRun program?
AV: The horses which arrive come with certificate of health and any vet records. We want to know what is best for the horse and let the future adopter know about any medical history. The horses are all vaccinated, have teeth floated, have veterinary work and acupuncture and chiropractic work if needed. All horses who are accepted into the program have a home for life. So, if the adopter cannot continue to care for the horse, we will take them back.
EIE: How does ReRun find the OTTBs?
AV: We find horses in so many ways. Tracy Egan, Executive Director, New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, has referred horses and the Fund has provided wonderful support. Bram Jam Stables is a supporter of ReRun as well. Horses are also referred to us by friends and caring trainers such as Mitch Friedman, Nick Zito, Glenn DiSanto and Richard Schosberg who is affiliated with Take the Lead program which was created by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) When a horse's racing career is done, Take the Lead contacts us and we will take a horse if there is availability.
EIE: Some people think that these horses are "throwaways" from their owners when their racing career is over. Can you give us your thoughts?
AV: The horses are in the program because the owners DO care! I make sure to educate both kids who tour my barn and adults who are unfamiliar with the rehoming process. I regularly have owners who donated their horses come to my barn to visit. They bring the horses treats and check on their progress. I hope that I convey there are SO MANY responsible owners in horse racing.
EIE: Can you let me know some of the next careers for OTTBs?
AV: An OTTB can have so many careers! Just think about it - these horses have already been exposed to crowds, flags, cars and other distractions and have seen so much! I recently rehomed Artie Luvsto Party as a NY State police horse. The police force was a bit hesitant at first, thinking that an OTTB may be too skittish for the job, but Artie went through all the tests with flying colors and is now a police horse. We can now see Artie beat every other horse to a police call!
These horses are athletes and we have rehomed horses for eventing, hunter/jumper, polo, trail horses, and most recently we've had requests for OTTBs as barrel horses! We get to know the horses here and they let us know what they want to do.
EIE: How does the adoption process work and how many horses get adopted?
AV: We can proudly say that 150 horses were adopted over the last 18 months. In order for a person to adopt a horse, they must first fill out an application and get pre-approved.
The adoption application asks detailed questions about where your new horse will live. What it will be fed. What kind of fencing you have and what kind of professional support you have. You must have a pre existing relationship with a veterinarian, farrier and have personal references. We take this process very seriously. If you only can offer a horse group turn out but want to adopt one that needs individual turn out, well that's just not going to work. Our horses and their well being is our priority.
When horses arrive, we already have a list of qualified people who are eligible to adopt a horse. Although we post horses on Facebook and our website, many times the horses get adopted before we can even take a photo! Lisa and I work as "matchmakers" to suggest the right horse for the right adopter. I also get to know what a new owner may need. For example, if they want a "big" horse but I find a great one for them, I will call and say, "I don't have a big horse, but I have the perfect horse!" Adopters appreciate this - and I'm sure the horses do too!
EIE: How long is a horse in your program before getting a new home?
AV: It depends on the horse, usually anytime from "immediately" to a couple of months, depending on how long a horse needs to be here and "just be a horse." Some want to start working immediately. Others need some lay -up or rehab time. We don't rush any horse out the door.
EIE: Do you only work with OTTBs?
AV: ReRun works with OTTBs but I have previously helped clients who had horses find new homes. One exciting story is an Appendix horse I retrained as a lead pony for the racetrack named Diego. I was lucky enough to take a break from work to attend the Belmont Stakes this year and guess who as leading American Pharoah in the post parade? It was Diego!!! My phone blew up with text messages when my friends saw him on TV. It was so exciting to see a horse which I helped rehome doing so well in his new job!
EIE: How do you raise funds to help the horses?
AV: Although not required, owners who donate horses to the program will make a donation. People can also make a contribution here: www.rerunottb.com. We also raise money by selling our Moneigh's, painting done by race horses!
