My Nonprofit Reviews
Holly N.
Review for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Saratoga Spgs, NY, USA
This was for the TRF at Montpelier in Orange, VA. I volunteered for 6 plus months AND adopted a TRF ex-racehorse named Monty. TRF is a wonderful organization that tries to place ex-racehorses in forever homes as companions or performance horses. The Montpelier facility is great--they take care to match what you are looking for in a horse and they are very knowledgeable. Some (due to injuries) are good pasturemates...others (like Monty) can actually be performance horses. I worked with Monty and showed succesfully at USDF recognized shows to 2nd level dressage! You do need to be an expert horseperson to help with the horses/volunteer--racehorses can be high strung as they are being reschooled. However, there are other ways to help TRF including helping at their benefit parties or sponsoring a horse to have shoes for a year. You could buy and donate hay or other needed items. You can even sponsor the reseeding of a field or buy art at Art at the Barn.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
showing my TRF horse! He was SO HAPPY to have a new home and life with an owner that loved him!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give it more resources! The racehorse industry, in my opinion, needs to be responsible for what happens to these YOUNG ex-racehorses.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
none--I had a great experience and would adopt again.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
new friends, new skills, felt like I made a difference