Rehoming Your Mare Responsibly

Support, Resources & Protection for Thoroughbred Broodmares

Why This Page Exists

Too many times, we get the same heartbreaking call:

“I rehomed my mare to someone I thought would give her a forever home. Now she’s in a kill pen. What do I do?”

At Mareworthy we try to prevent mares from needing rescue in the first place.

This page brings together the resources, tools, and tracking systems we’ve developed over time to help you:

  • Rehome responsibly with contracts and follow-up

  • Ensure the right person is listed with The Jockey Club

  • Consider humane euthanasia when appropriate

  • Access medical, financial, or estate planning support

  • Track mares at risk and flag concerning trends

We are actively building Mareworthy Match, a free, public listing site and intake tool to help more broodmares find safe, loving homes. We know the need is urgent, and this platform will be a powerful tool to support responsible owners.

🛠️ Mareworthy Match is currently in development and coming soon.

  • In the meantime, if you are looking to rehome a mare or need immediate support, please email us directly at info@mareworthy.com.

  • Include the mare’s name, tattoo or microchip number (if known), location, photos, and a brief description of her situation.

  • We’ll do our best to help—and we’re honored that you’re turning to us to protect her future.

If we can organize better, we can protect better. And if we protect better, fewer mares will suffer.

Rehoming Toolkit

  • Most mares that end up in kill pens were rehomed without a contract.

    Our template includes:

    • Horse ID (tattoo, microchip, markings)

    • Right of first refusal

    • No resale or transfer without written approval

    • Permission for Mareworthy follow-up

    • Euthanasia clause (if unsound or unplaceable)

    📄Download PDF

    📄 Download Word (Editable)

  • Many horses fall through the cracks simply because their status was never updated.

    Be sure to:

    • Mark your mare as Retired from Racing

    • Transfer her digital certificate (if born 2018 or later)

    • Submit a Report of Death if applicable

    📎 Visit The Jockey Club Registry

  • Before you hand over the lead rope, ask:

    • What experience do you have with broodmares or Thoroughbreds?

    • Who is your current vet and farrier?

    • Where will she be housed?

    • What’s your long-term plan if she becomes unsound?

    • Can you provide housing photos?

    • Are you open to signing a contract and follow-up visits?

    If the answers are vague or overly defensive—walk away.

  • Mares who end up at risk often share these traits:

    • Age 11+

    • 5 or more foals

    • Limited or no stakes-level offspring

    • Last sale under $5,000

    • Rehomed without a contract

    • Registry not updated

    • Frequent ownership changes

    When 3 or more of these are true, the risk increases significantly.

  • Bad actors avoid accountability. That’s why Mareworthy offers:

    • Optional check-ins with the new owner (with signed consent)

    • Tracking through our Lifetime Watch Service

    • A deterrent effect—most risky adopters won’t agree to oversight

    Enroll your mare in the Lifetime Watch by emailing a copy of your signed contract with your buyer to info@mareworthy.com

  • If your mare is elderly, painful, unsound, or unplaceable, euthanasia may be the most loving choice.

    We can help you:

    • Access AAEP-endorsed guidelines

    • Find a local vet

    • Explore short-term financial aid

    🩺 AAEP Euthanasia Guidelines

  • If you see a Thoroughbred in a kill pen, please email us at info@mareworthy.com with as much information as you have.

    We track:

    • Lot location and price

    • Photos, posts, and deadlines

    • Tattoo/microchip

    • Outcome (if known)

    This helps us build case studies, flag repeat offenders, and advocate upstream.