Sanctuary for unwanted horses

If the Fort Erie racetrack completely closes down, beyond the hundreds of jobs lost, many are wondering about the fate of the thoroughbred horses. What happens to them? As Lauran Sabourin reports, with so much uncertainty in the industry these days, Sherwood Farm in St. Catharines has become a sanctuary for unwanted race horses.

Meet Piper. A six-year old thoroughbred race horse from Florida who has a new lease on life.

Robin Hannah, Sherwood Farm: “When people can’t afford to feed and take care of them, they dispose of them.”

That’s exactly what happened to piper last year. he was found starving to death on the side of a highway in the everglades. He had ropes tied to his ankles, dragging a bucket of cement.

“One one knows how long he was out there. He had deep thrush in the cracks of his feet. Lots of infection.”

He was blinded in right eye. possibly from trauma or malnutrition.

Now piper has given up racing for the show ring. Robin Hannah says he’s the smartest horse she’s ever ridden.

“He’s a little bossy now. He’s quite spoiled. He’s pawing and ripping at my hands, wanting more treats.”

Piper was rescued by a race horse rehab centre in Florida. The Hannah family at Sherwood Farm in St. Catharines adopted him months ago.

They’ve also taken in 18 thoroughbreds from the Fort Erie race track. Hannah says there are about 300 horses still there with no where to go. Trainers are begging stables to take their horses and give them a good home. Because it looks like the Fort Erie race track will close.