Program Spotlight: MidAtlantic Horse Rescue

Taylor Cox and Ft Myers showing in the hunter ring. Shown under the name Southern Voice now, the gelding is an upper level hunter in Virginia (Photos courtesy of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue).
After years of buying a few retired racehorses a year and preparing them for new careers before selling them, former racehorse trainer Ginny Suarez and Beverly Strauss decided they wanted to do something more.
The women started MidAtlantic Horse Rescue on five acres with three horses and a shed. Today, the program is located on 160 acres in Warwick, Md., where they welcome visitors who want to meet their horses.
Since its inception in 2002, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue has found almost 900 of its own horses new homes, plus 400 more that it placed from other rescues. Potential owners don’t have to wait long to take home a horse from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, as the whole adoption process can be completed in one day as long as the rider suits the horse.
“Our main criteria is that the horse suits the rider and his or her goals and will be able to do what the rider wants,” Strauss said. “Safety and suitability are key - we want the adopter to know that this is the horse they have been looking for - and you can’t tell that from a piece of paper.”
Ownership is transferred immediately after the new owner takes the horse home rather than the waiting period many other programs have. The contract the new owner must sign includes clauses that say they won’t race the horse or sell it at auction and that the new owner will notify MidAtlantic Horse Rescue if they sell the horse privately. MidAtlantic Horse Rescue has a “no questions” policy, taking back horses they have adopted out no matter what reason the owner gives for needing to give up the horse.
The amount of work that horses get at MidAtlantic Horse Rescue depends on the horse. Some horses are ready for adoption as soon as they arrive at the facility, while others can take a bit longer depending on the horse’s situation.
“Some [horses] need let-down time, some need rehab, and some need [to put on weight] if they have been neglected,” Strauss said. “It is sometimes a matter of a few weeks, but more often a few months or more. Our longest-term horse has been here a little over a year.”
BEVERLY STRAUSS AND HER STAKES-WINNING OTTB WHAT'S YOUR WISH

While Strauss could not name all the successful horses MidAtlantic Horse Rescue has adopted due to the volume of horses who have gone on to successful careers, it has graduated two well-known horses from the Retired Racehorse Training Project. Solidify was part of the first edition of the training project while Governor Jack was one of the stars of the second edition of the Makeover. Other horses from the program have gone on to become high-level performers in many disciplines, including eventing and hunter classes.
Because of the recent promotion of Thoroughbreds and their success around the show world, Strauss has seen the popularity of the breed grow over the past few years.
“People are certainly remembering what incredible, intelligent, versatile, trainable athletes Thoroughbreds are,” she said. “The ASPCA really gave things a kick start with their $1 million Rescuing Racers Initiative. We were honored to be one of six groups nationwide to be invited to apply for funding initially. We helped to start the Thoroughbred Alliance Show Series this year, a series of all-Thoroughbred horse shows throughout the region, and it was very popular - we expect to grow next year.
“The Retired Racehorse Training Project has been a huge asset as well. They are doing a wonderful job promoting the Thoroughbred and bridging the gap between racing and the other sporting disciplines. We are proud to sponsor them annually and participate in their programs.”
For those looking to buy a Thoroughbred off the track, Strauss recommends knowing how to interpret answers to questions asked and taking someone who is knowledgeable about the breed to the track when a potential buyer goes to look for horses. She says buying horses straight from the track isn’t for everyone, and if a buyer finds himself or herself flustered, they should visit an aftercare organization, like MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, that can help them find a suitable horse.
After taking a retired racehorse home, Strauss also cautions that the new buyer show patience.
“Get help from someone who knows Thoroughbreds,” she said. “These horses are honest, willing partners with great work ethics - they have been ridden 365 days a year around a racetrack, so not much bothers them. They are well broken,and will only need some re-focusing. You can’t bully a Thoroughbred - work with them and you will have a connection with one of the most incredible animals around.”
ELISSA OGBURN AND GOVERNOR JACK SOON AFTER SHE ADOPTED THE GELDING

While MidAtlantic Horse Rescue can’t let volunteers work directly with the Rescue’s horses due to insurance reasons, they are always looking for volunteers to help them with events.
“Because of insurance concerns we do not have volunteers working directly with the horses,” Strauss said. “We are always looking for donations, help at expos and other equine events, etc. Perhaps the best thing folks can do is spread the word about MAHR. Not all horses in rescues are broken down, washed up rejects - our horses go on to do wonderful things!”
MidAtlantic Horse Rescue was recently named as an accredited program by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, an alliance created by the racing industry nearly two years ago. Strauss is thrilled that the industry has taken another step toward supporting racehorses with the Alliance, which recently gave out $1 million in funding to the 23 aftercare programs they have accredited.
MidAtlantic Horse Rescue is also a silver seal ranked member of Guidestar.org and is verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. It also is pending accreditation by that organization.
For more information about MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, you can visit its website or Facebook page. The program also welcomes visitors by appointment.
If you know of a Thoroughbred Aftercare program that you think should be covered in America’s Best Racing’s Aftercare Program Spotlight, email Melissa Bauer-Herzog (mbauer-herzog@jockeyclub.com) with the program’s name and website.