Freedom Acres Farms LLC is so excited to introduce our newest program, one that is very near and dear to our hearts. One that has been almost 5 years in the making.

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2nd Chance Thoroughbreds Retraining, Rehabilitation, and Restarting.

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This spring we were traveling down to a racetrack in Ohio again to pick up a couple of horses for retraining and an idea was taking shape. As with all dreams made manifest over long car rides and hours of conversation, this one was full of hope and promise and potential. But admittedly missing some key planning points and seemingly part of some distant future. We had been making these trips for quite some time, year after year, and we felt like this was something we needed to pursue more seriously. 

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As we sat in the parking lot of the shed row, waiting for one of the trainers to take us to the barn to pick up our new ponies, we tossed around the idea of seriously adding retraining and rehabilitation of Thoroughbred racehorses to our repertoire. A passion we both have shared since starting this journey together. We sat in the truck and talked about how special it would be to make this passion of ours manifest. How important it felt to showcase these amazing animals to their truest potential once they had left the track and started their journey to their 2nd careers.

Oftentimes thoroughbreds get an unfair reputation in the equine world for being difficult to manage and high strung and it felt very important to us to showcase how very far from the truth that stereotype was. So we chatted some more as we waited about future plans and someday we would love to be able to bring home more of these wonderful animals. Some needing rehabilitation from their demanding race careers, help them to heal and recenter themselves and learn how to be family horses, and share them with the world. 

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As we talked one of the excellent trainers arrived and as luck would have it, asked us if we had room in our hearts for another horse. A beautiful bay gelding, standing like a giant in the barn, who had unfortunately gotten injured that very morning and needed a soft place to land and recover. Mike and I looked at each other and just knew that we were being called to take him home and help get him back on his feet.

And so we loaded up three horses instead of two and thanked the wonderful people at the track who work so very hard to place these horses in loving homes once their racing career is up, not to mention providing exceptional care for them at the track throughout their journey as athletes. They thanked us for giving this wonderful gelding a 2nd Chance, and we set on our way.

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We joked about the timing of it all.  Looked at each other with wide eyes and some disbelief at the blatant lack of coincidence. Named the big bay gelding Chance, to honor the calling we felt to care for him. 

And 2nd Chance Thoroughbreds was born. 

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Now, almost 6 months later, we have pulled a few more horses off of the track. Some needing some healing. Some ready to sprint into their 2nd careers with all the passion they illustrated as racehorses. And our commitment to the mission has only grown. We fully believe that these Thoroughbreds are some of the most amazing horses one could ever encounter. We have yet to see horses with a more willing spirit and sense of kindness and soft, quiet intelligence in their eyes. 

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So we continue to work everyday with these magnificent horses to help them settle into their new lives and shine as the wonderfully diverse equine partners they are. From Prince, our very first OTTB, who brings love and comedy to every encounter with everyone on the farm, to our sleepy little stallion Archer, the most unlikely of favorites, we aim to show those who would care to look, that there is more to these horses than a stereotype. We feel a deep sense of respect to their trainers and track connections as well as endless gratitude that we get to step alongside them in this journey post racing. 

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We aim to do the breed justice in all the ways we can and demonstrate the versatility and potential of these amazing Equines. And we feel blessed to do so every day. For those who read this albeit somewhat long mission statement, THANK YOU for your support from the bottom of our hearts. We hope you enjoy watching these horses' journeys as much as we do. Here's to providing endless 2nd Chances.