Retirement For Racehorses

While mid-life career changes are more common than ever for people, did you ever stop to think about a career change for a horse?

Retired schoolteacher and racing aficionado Grace Belcuore thought about it — so much that she founded the California Equine Retirement Foundation (CERF) to rehabilitate retired racehorses and find them new occupations in their golden years. "I had retired, and I went to the races and discovered that geldings had nowhere to go," recalls Belcuore. "They ended up at slaughter, so I wanted to do something for them to go on and at least enjoy their lives."

Belcuore says that in 1986 when she started CERF, she had never ridden a horse, and knew very little about them. Today, her organization has worked with over 300 horses, and they are now at maximum capacity with about 70 horses on site. "I ride now of course," says Belcuore.

It takes about a month to rehabilitate a newly-retired racehorse. But that can vary, depending on whether the horse has been injured or drugged. "The horses adapt pretty quickly to not being under stress anymore," says Belcuore. Many of the rehabilitated horses end up in new performance activities, such as cross-country jumping, dressage, and polo. But Belcuore explains that "the bottom line of my being here is for the ones that can't go on. That's why I do adopt them out whenever I can." The horses that come to CERF for adoption usually come from owners who want to know specifically where their horse will end up, as opposed to owners who may have 30-some horses at the track.

The adoption process at CERF is meticulous about finding a good match for the horse. "The thoroughbreds are extremely intelligent, hot-blooded, and smart," says Belcuore.

"They're beautiful, too. They have a lot of dignity, a lot of class." People are welcome to visit the CERF ranch by appointment. (951/926-4190, www.cerfhorses.org) — JJ Hall

Healing With Horses

Fourth-grader Jenna Segal, a rider at Helen Woodward Animal Center's (HWAC) Therapeutic Riding Program, has a special bond with animals. "I sometimes joke that she comes from a planet full of all sorts of animals," says her mother, Helen. "She has this sort of kinship with them. When she's around them, it is very calming for her. She becomes centered and happy."

A rare neurological disorder has affected Jenna since birth. An irregular electrical spark pattern in her brain has affected her development. "It's as if her muscles are heavy," explains her mother. "Imagine if you were wearing a jacket with weights in it, that's what it feels like for her all the time."

Jenna had been in physical therapy all her life to help her move her body. "The horse riding has really contributed to her physical strength, keeping her core strong, and helping her hold her body correctly, which enables her to walk," says Helen. "When Jenna started riding, her physical therapist was undone." At the therapist's recommendation, Jenna replaced traditional therapy entirely with riding.

Jenna's close friend Mohamad Hnaino, "Mo," is a rider too. Mo walks with a crutch and has problems with his spine. Unlike Jenna, Mo was afraid of the horses at first, but he overcame that fear, and has made significant physical progress through riding. "Riding is one of the few things that strengthens his legs and at the same time helps him sit up straight," explains his mother, Lina. Mo had also tried bike riding, which strengthened his legs, but required him to lean forward, bending his spine. He has also been through traditional physical therapy, which was somewhat effective, but Lina says, "it felt too much like going to the doctor's office, and horse riding is a lot more fun."

Mo is soon having surgery on his legs for the first time. "Once he's healed up," says Lina, "it's going to be even more crucial for him to go back to horseback riding." The Therapeutic Riding program started in 1980 with 15 riders facing physical and mental challenges. The program is accredited through NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and currently has about ten horses and 50 riders ranging in age from 4 to 82. Riders benefit from the horses in many ways — physically, emotionally, and socially. "The horses can do things we can't do," says staff member John Van Zante.

Beyond the physical benefits of therapeutic riding, Helen and Lina both observe great emotional and social rewards for the their children, too. Twice a week, Jenna and Mo get picked up from school (they both go to Solana Highlands) to go riding. "We hang out, it's a big social event, which is what regular kids do," says Helen.

Lina says that riding makes Mo feel happy. "He feels like he can do something that he didn't imagine he could do," she says. "He's a funny character. He has a good sense of humor and a good attitude toward himself, and that's part of the horseback riding. It's been a big part of our life."

"It's a difficult thing for a child with special needs to be on a horse, to be high off the ground, maneuvering a beast," says Helen. Also, she explains that the horses "would otherwise be put onto pasture, but the Helen Woodward Animal Center gives them a new focus, by giving them to children who love them. It's a symbiotic relationship which is really quite profound."

Though a riding session costs HWAC about $180, the price for riders is only $25 per session, and scholarships are available. Due to many changes neighboring the facility, the program is currently seeking a new location. Donations can be made, and more information is available, on the HWAC Web site. — JJ Hall

Therapeutic Riding Program

Year Founded: 1980

Current Director: Alicia Roe, Therapeutic Riding Program manager

Mission: To improve the quality of life mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through a non-judgmental teacher, the horse, people learn acceptance, trust, respect, love, and personal development.

Donation Administration Costs: Each lesson costs HWAC at least $180. Thanks to donations of goods (hay and other equipment), services (medical care and horse shoeing), and financial support they have been able to keep the cost to the riders at only $25 per lesson.

Current Funding Objectives: HWAC has established a goal that no child in-need will ever be turned away from the Therapeutic Riding Program because he or she cannot afford the lessons. At the present time there are ten riders who are able to participate in the lessons thanks to HWAC's scholarship program. HWAC is currently involved in a capital campaign to raise funds for a major 3-5-year renovation of the facility. This would include a fully-enclosed, indoor arena. This new arena would allow for evening classes for the first time ever, classes even during inclement weather, and it would alleviate the noise factor, which can be a distraction to the riders and the horses.

Organization's Biggest Challenges: Fundraising is always one of HWAC's greatest challenges. One reason for this is that HWAC is an independent, privately-funded animal shelter that does not receive any tax dollars. A great challenge is to simply keep up with the growing community. More families are relying on HWAC for pet adoption, humane education, therapy services, medical care, and pet boarding than ever before.

Contact Information: 858/756-4117, www.animalcenter.org