Reflections

Life After the Kill Pen: Now a nanny, Thoroughbred broodmare retiree Grisham has beaten the odds

11/9/2023

This is the story of one Thoroughbred broodmare retiree. To many in the racing and breeding industry, hers is a typical tale that varies only in a few details from the mundane life narrative of thousands of other mares. Like so many Thoroughbreds, Grisham started as a pinhook, waged a racing campaign, served a long broodmare career, and eventually reached an uncertain retirement.

But, only weeks away from turning a quarter-century, and only a year removed from an ambiguous fate while relegated to an auction kill pen, Grisham has a story with a few surprises.
Born in 1999, when the U.S. foal crop numbered 33,844—almost precisely twice the expected foal count in 2023—Grisham never broke into the upper echelons of the sport. Nevertheless, she has lived a life of beating the odds, if only slightly.

She sold for a fair price. Bred commercially, Grisham was a $60,000 weanling auction purchase at 5 months old and immediately became a pinhook prospect. When she went through the sales ring 11 months later as a 2000 yearling, she brought a winning bid of $72,000—well above that year's $13,000 median and $59,360 average prices for sold yearlings.
She ran and won. Somewhere between half and three-quarters of Thoroughbred foals ever make it to the starting gate, and only 40 percent to 70 percent of runners ever win a race. Fewer still are able to score beyond the claiming ranks, or to make a repeat appearance in the winner's circle. Grisham accomplished all of those feats.
She had one owner. Almost all Thoroughbred racemares are sold before their new broodmare career, and most broodmares change hands several times during their productive years—either sold for a profit after producing well, or culled when their foals are underperforming expectations. Atypically, for her entire racing and breeding career, Grisham had only one owner.
She has produced more foals than average. Because of their own age and health, or because of diminishing class or value of offspring, most broodmares stop after producing five to nine foals. With her 14 colts and fillies, Grisham exceeded the average considerably.
Her foals have raced and won. If somewhere less than half of Thoroughbred foals end up winning a race in their lifetimes, it might be reasonable to expect six of Grisham's offspring would be winners. Instead, nine already have won and two more—her unstarted foals of 2021 and 2022—are still in the racing pipeline.
Her foals are showing more than average class. Grisham has never had a true star offspring, but one colt placed in a Grade I contest, and five of her foals already have earned more than $100,000.
She was rescued. When the odds broke against her in late 2022 and she found herself abandoned to the doom of the kill pen, Grisham again beat the odds: She was rescued. Unfortunately, "kill pen" is an apt name, as most horses discarded to these low-level auctions end up bound for slaughter.

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October 2023 Recap: Triumphs and Tragedies: The Heart-Wrenching Realities of Horse Rescue

11/7/2023

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Horse rescue is a labor of love, teeming with moments of triumph and heart-wrenching tragedies that tug at the soul. The passion to save these majestic creatures often intersects with financial hurdles, difficult choices, and the ongoing battle to provide a safe haven for equines in dire need. Amidst the successes of adoptions, the struggle to cover expenses that often exceed donations, the devastating impact of tragic accidents leading to euthanasia, and the ethical decisions in handling horses in critical conditions, there lies a beacon of hope in transitioning horses to responsible non-profits like Mareworthy Charities.

October certainly had its share of triumphs and a big tragedy for us. Egoli and Baltimore Babe both left for their adoptive homes with the hopes of returning to Kentucky next October to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, and we had to say goodbye unexpectedly to Eye of the Artist after she slipped in her paddock resulting in a herniated diaphragm.

Successful adoptions bring immeasurable joy and hope to the world of horse rescue. Witnessing a once-neglected or abandoned horse find a loving forever home is a testament to the dedication and hard work of rescue organizations. These moments remind us that every effort, every penny, and every sleepless night are worth it.

However, these triumphs are not without their challenges. The financial burdens in horse rescue are often substantial. The expenses of proper care, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, and general upkeep of rescued horses can surpass the available donations. It's a constant battle to balance the books while ensuring every horse receives the care it deserves.

Tragic accidents leading to irreversible injuries or illnesses sometimes force the agonizing decision of euthanasia. It's a heartbreaking reality faced by many rescues, often with limited resources. In such moments, the emotional toll on caretakers, volunteers, and supporters is immeasurable.

One of the toughest decisions in horse rescue involves prioritizing which horses to help. There are instances where limited resources lead to deliberations about whether to aid a horse in critical condition or to focus on preventing multiple horses from ending up in dire situations like kill pens. The ethical dilemma of using funds to save one horse or to support preventative measures for many others is a constant moral quandary.

When we look at the expenses incurred by Baltimore Babe compared to Egoli, there is a glaring issue we have to take into consideration: we could have re-homed 5.6 Egoli's for the same financial expenses as Babe ($7,692.25 / $1,375.60 = 5.592). Why is that? Egoli arrived to us in excellent health and condition with her full medical history directly from her Thoroughbred industry connections less than 20 minutes from our farm while Babe came from a kill pen in Louisiana in poor physical condition without any records from her medical history. Egoli arrived with a financial donation from her previous owners and a minimal transport fee while Babe had a $2,500 bail plus quarantine and a $1,600 trailer ride from Louisiana to Kentucky.

This is where the importance of transitioning horses to responsible non-profits like Mareworthy Charities before they reach critical conditions shines through. Such a proactive approach not only provides the horse with a better chance of finding a new home but also alleviates the financial strain on non-profits. By transitioning a horse before its situation becomes dire, the chances of successful rehabilitation and rehoming significantly increase, while the financial burden on the organization is lessened. Additionally, it's important for organizations to focus our efforts on supporting our immediate communities first not only because it's the best way to grow our support but also because it makes the most financial sense.

Mareworthy Charities, along with other responsible non-profits, play a pivotal role in providing a safety net for these animals. Their focus on preemptive care and transition services can mean all the difference in a horse's life. By supporting and working alongside these organizations, the horse rescue community can strive to lessen the tragedies and celebrate more triumphs.

In conclusion, the world of horse rescue is a rollercoaster of emotions. While it is brimming with triumphs in successful adoptions, it is also marred by tragedies, financial struggles, and tough decisions. Transitioning horses to responsible non-profits before they reach critical conditions emerges as a pivotal strategy, offering a lifeline to these magnificent animals and a more financially sound approach for the organizations that rely on donations. It's a collective responsibility to support these initiatives and make a difference in the lives of these incredible creatures.

If you have a Thoroughbred mare within a few hundred miles of Central Kentucky who you are considering rehoming, please reach out to talk about options. You can contact us at info@mareworthy.com or by phone at (859) 212-9118. If your mare is located outside our immediate service area, we are still happy to help through our network.

Line Item Records for Horses with Outcomes in October 2023

Baltimore Babe: Adopted October 30, 2023

Egoli: Adopted October 15, 2023

Eye of the Artist: Laid to Rest October 20, 2023

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Reflections

Life After the Kill Pen: Now a nanny, Thoroughbred broodmare retiree Grisham has beaten the odds

October 2023 Recap: Triumphs and Tragedies: The Heart-Wrenching Realities of Horse Rescue

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