\u201cKnowledge is power. Sharing it multiplies that power.\u201d \u2013 Robert Noyce<\/p>\n
The field of thoroughbred aftercare has grown and developed considerably since the term was first introduced within the industry. Today, there are more structured programs, dedicated individuals, and initiatives focusing on the care of racehorses after their racing careers end than ever before, spanning both nonprofit and private for-profit sectors.<\/p>\n
Transforming a racehorse into a riding horse demands specialized expertise and equine knowledge. Additionally, establishing a thriving and sustainable business\u2014whether it operates as a nonprofit or for-profit\u2014around retired racehorses requires a distinct set of entrepreneurial and management skills.<\/p>\n
Recognizing these challenges, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) launched the Aftercare Industry Summit in 2019. This event became an annual highlight at the Thoroughbred Makeover, the largest gathering of enthusiasts dedicated to transitioning Thoroughbreds from the racetrack to performance disciplines.<\/p>\n
In 2024, RRP transitioned to a virtual format with the debut of its Aftercare Industry Monthly Webinar Series in February. <\/p>\n
\u201cSwitching to a virtual delivery was a strategic choice based on an honest assessment of what we could effectively produce given our staffing during the event week,\u201d explained RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green. \u201cPrograms like AIM offer crucial resources for people involved across the aftercare industry and deserve to be accessible through a user-friendly platform, especially when attendees may have more available time.\u201d<\/p>\n
RRP\u2019s focus during Aftercare Industry Month revolves around education and knowledge sharing. Throughout February, they hosted four webinars addressing essential topics related to managing Thoroughbreds as they adjust from racing life to new careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe weekly sessions foster meaningful dialogue about diverse subjects. It\u2019s a pleasure to collaborate with Kristen Bentley annually to plan these schedules,\u201d Green shared. \u201cAs our educational content leader, Kristen is deeply in tune with current and relevant themes. She crafts material that appeals to a broad audience\u2014covering care, training, business practices, and pressing industry issues. This year, topics like \u2018Scrutinizing Adopters and Purchasers\u2019 and \u2018Equine Welfare Laws and Realities\u2019 were added in response to recent developments, aiming to broaden engagement and deepen understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Webinar Topics for 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n The first of the month\u2019s four webinars, held on February 3, concentrated on critical considerations and typical approaches to managing horses during their first 30 days after leaving the racetrack environment. <\/p>\n Panelists included Bev Strauss from Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue\u2014a nonprofit aftercare facility retraining and rehoming Thoroughbreds in Maryland and nearby regions\u2014and Brownstead Farm owner\/operator, who specializes in Thoroughbred breeding, sales, and racing in central Kentucky. Brownstead Farm also trains and markets Thoroughbreds as potential sport horses.<\/p>\n Moderated by Kristen Kovatch Bentley, RRP\u2019s Managing Director, the discussion highlighted contrasts between large nonprofits primarily focused on Thoroughbred adoption and private farms incorporating aftercare within broader business operations.<\/p>\n The one-hour session covered topics like equine nutrition, hoof care, maintaining soundness and health post-racing, turnout strategies, reintroduction to herd dynamics, and first training rides. Panelists also shared experiences handling uncommon physical and behavioral challenges, detailing creative and successful solutions developed over time.<\/p>\n \u201cJen and Bev perfectly illustrated our goal for \u2018The First 30 Days\u2019 webinar: to demonstrate that there is no quick, one-size-fits-all fix for this critical transition period for Thoroughbreds,\u201d said Kovatch-Bentley. \u201cTheir combined experience empowered attendees to approach this phase confidently and creatively. They also emphasized the importance of networking and collaboration to ensure the best outcomes for these horses. Strengthening these connections ultimately benefits the entire aftercare ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional February webinar topics included:<\/p>\n Thanks to funding from the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF), which supports scholarships, educational programming, and equine research aimed at improving racing safety, all webinars are free to attend live via Eventbrite. They feature interactive Q&A opportunities and will be archived in RRP\u2019s online education library later in the year.<\/p>\n A Month Dedicated to Aftercare<\/strong><\/p>\n Since launching Aftercare Industry Month, RRP has seen industry individuals and groups use this period to celebrate achievements, expand knowledge, and collaborate in new ways.<\/p>\n Some organizations leverage this time to educate their audiences and the wider equine community on key data and processes unique to their missions related to training and placing retired racehorses.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to see this growing momentum. Despite significant progress in aftercare over the past decade, awareness about \u2018how it all works\u2019 remains surprisingly limited. If peers in the industry use Aftercare Industry Month as a platform to highlight their impact, it\u2019s a major win,\u201d said Green. \u201cIt\u2019s vital to showcase our collective efforts because we all share the goal of creating positive outcomes for horses.\u201d<\/p>\n To view past panel discussions and access a broad range of educational resources for racehorse owners, prospective adopters, and trainers, visit RRP.org and navigate to the Education tab.<\/p>\n This article was originally published by the Paulick Report on February 11, 2026, and appeared in the Features section.<\/em><\/p>\n Fan Take:<\/strong> \u201cKnowledge is power. Sharing it multiplies that power.\u201d \u2013 Robert Noyce The field of thoroughbred aftercare has grown and developed considerably since the term was first introduced within the industry. Today, there are more structured programs, dedicated individuals, and initiatives focusing on the care of racehorses after their racing careers end than ever before, spanning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42793,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2443],"tags":[2955],"class_list":{"0":"post-42792","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fighting","8":"tag-horse-racing"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\n
\n
\nThis news is a crucial reminder that the Thoroughbred racing community is committed not just to the excitement of the track, but also to the lifelong welfare of these incredible athletes. By advancing education and collaboration in aftercare, the industry can ensure racehorses transition successfully to new careers, preserving their legacy and enriching the future of the sport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"