During my short time working in Puerto Rico, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare. I continue to make a monthly donation, but I wish I had had more time before I left the island. Kelly, her staff, the CTA board, and the veterinarians and others who give their time, money, and expertise to the horses are a rare “breed” on the island. The racehorse industry, while glamorous on its exterior, masks a dark, brutal, abusive reality for so many horses. CTA tries desperately to save as many horses as they can, and yet, there are some they cannot save, and those horses live a pitiless life followed by a careless death, all for the pursuit of man’s pleasures. I wish people could see what they “support” when they attend horse races. But, for anyone who supports CTA, they can experience firsthand how CTA saves the lives of so many horses. Facing countless obstacles, CTA’s grit and determination to make a difference, to “be the change you want to see in the world,” is seemingly endless, yet they do it with incredibly limited resources. One may say they are a, “miraculous loaves and fishes” operation!
Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare has been absolutely heroic with their efforts, getting (67 races) warhorse “Iknowyourface” safe off the track, and on her way to recovery. This gorgeous supermodel 8 year old black mare fell on hard times after being shipped to Puerto Rico. She was passed through several hands and was racing frequently despite being skinny and suffering an enlarged ankle. She has had full veterinary workups, good food, and lots of loving care while trying to get her healthy enough to return to a forever home on the mainland. Being on an island makes it much more difficult and expensive to rescue racehorses. They have to be quarantined and flown at great expense, something other accredited rescues do not have to deal with. They provide retraining as well, to make sure horses adopted from them become great partners for their new owners. This sweet horse is enjoying sunshine and retirement as she slowly recovers from mistreatment, thanks to CTA. They are my favorite equine rescue because against great odds and little recognition, they are heroically saving horse's lives.
I have adopted two Thoroughbreds that came from CTA and then New Vocations. Both had endured some very rough times living through Hurricane Maria in 2018 and the aftermath and long time to get safe housing at the race track. Both of these horses came to me with wonderful manners and had a great foundation for their next career as trail riding horses. I believe the initial care and training they received at CTA made all the difference is how they turned out. I'm 72 years old and recovering from a broken hip and have been riding one of them on 1-2 hour trail rides out in the middle of nowhere by myself...she's that safe. IF I had room I would for sure try to adopt another one from CTA. They are wonderful!
This organization goes above and beyond, in a very difficult situation being located on a economically challenged island in the Caribbean where over 500 horses are imported every year from the USA mainland. The options for horses in Puerto Rico when there careers are over are very few safe ones.
Wemadeittofifty arrived on our farm as a 2yo in 2019. Kevin & I made a close connection with him. Fifty has the best personality and you can’t help but fall in love with him. He eventually went back to the track and then landed in Puerto Rico to race. Kevin spent 8 months trying to get him shipped back to the mainland to surprise me so that we could retire him on our farm. There were many road blocks til Kevin made contact with CTA. Once the time came for Fifty to retire, CTA was the most vital component in ensuring Fifty was picked up and taken care of til he could enter quarantine. They consistently sent photos to keep Kevin updated thru the whole process. CTA was kind, thoughtful, loving towards Fifty and treated him as if he was there to stay forever. They followed him thru his entire trip home and still inquire how he’s doing today. Bottom line is, they care & truly open their hearts to EVERY single horse they come in contact with. No matter how long that horse is with them. CTA goes to great lengths to provide everything they can to ensure a horse is taken care of. We are so happy to have added these wonderful humans to our farm family!! We love CTA!!
Respectfully,
Kevin & Jill
Five Diamonds Equestrian Center
I started working at CTA more than a year ago and fell in love with the work done by this organization. CTA is responsible for the care, retraining, and rehabilitation of retired racetrack horses. When I started working with CTA, I didn't know much about equine handling and maintenance, but Kelly and her team helped me in this process. They taught me how to clean cages, bathe horses, put bandages, heal wounds, and administer medication. It has been an unforgettable experience, with a lot of learning, for which I will be eternally grateful.
Ever since 2020 I have dedicate my time to understand and learn more about equine medicine as well as the equestrian community in Puerto Rico. During this time, I had the privilege of knowing this beautiful organization that takes care of horses once they are done racing and here I have learned and assisted in bathing them, cleaned stalls and maintained clean spaces, administered medication, performed any proper treatment necessary, fed the horses and many other tasks. Likewise, I have seen how the team works ceaselessly and with so much passion and love for these amazing creatures. From the start, Kelley taught me everything that I needed to know about the organization, what it takes and how hard/costly it can be for the horses to retire, heal and find a new home and her dedication to this organization is mesmerizing to say the least. I am extremely proud to say that I will continue to help and follow what CTA does and will forever be grateful for everything they did for me and will continue to do in the future.
Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare is a gold-standard farm, located at the base of El Yunque Rainforest in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The team works in grueling conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, rain, and lots and lots of mud, while maintaining a very clean and well-organized facility.
The beautiful 10-acre farm usually has 17-20 well-kept thoroughbreds. Horses often arrive in need of rehabilitation, and weight gain, and sometimes need to learn to trust humans again.
In spite of the challenging conditions, never-ending work, and constant struggles for funding, the team continues to take the BEST care of these horses and ensures they transition to safe and appropriate homes.
I've adopted (2) horses from CTA and both of them were absolute gems!! Impeccable manners, and so friendly, truly enjoy people and are so willing.
It was amazing how well-retrained they were. They were given plenty of time to adjust to post-racing life. As an adopter it made me feel extra confident adopting from them knowing how thoroughly vetted and examined the horses are before they are available for adoption (each has a full set of Xrays, and many have been rehabbed using some of the most advanced technology available!). Highly recommend!
I have adopted two Thoroughbred from CTA the first one was in May 2018 a mare named By My Side, now we call her "Soña" (Soñadora-Dreamer). She has adopted my Pony Rockero, both enjoy playing around, eating all my flowers and fruit trees. Soña likes mints, love a good scratch and face massages. In 2020 we adopted our second Thoroughbred named "Primer Portento", now called "Spartano" (Spartan) since he is so big and strong. He is just humble and caring horse. He enjoys the time spent with other horses that we have in the Farm. His best friend is Zeus a Columbian horse, they play around hide and seek around the area is so cute and funny see these lovely horses be free and enjoying the retirement they deserved for all the hard work done at the Racetracks.
Run Binky Run was run into the ground. CTA was able to help her leave racing, after hurricanes Irma and Maria, almost cost her life. She almost didn't make it a few times in their care, and they were able to pull her through and she just wasn't ready to go yet. She went on to compete in retired racehorse makeover and then come home to be a horse, in my Kentucky pasture. Without the amazing work and care of CTA, Binky would not have made it.