Thoroughbreds are bred for athleticism and competitiveness. This makes them perfectly suited for a range of equestrian disciplines. Off-Track Thoroughbreds, or OTTBs, can be found competing in everything from youth horse shows at the county fair to three-day eventing at the Olympics. 

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Life on the track is different from life on a farm and it can take some time to fully make the transition from racehorse to riding horse. There are many organizations and individuals across the country that take in retired racehorses and get them ready for a new home. These organizations start the retraining process and rehabilitate any horses retiring with an injury. At the end of the process, these horses will be available to adopt into qualified homes. 

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Some Thoroughbreds move on to make a difference in the lives of people. The TRF's Second Chances Program gives prison inmates the opportunity to work with retired racehorses. They will graduate from this program with a certificate that will help them find a job working with horses upon their release. Abijah's on the Backside pairs retired racehorses with counseling professionals to provide assistance to backside workers, military, first responders, and the general public experiencing anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD. 

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Some retired racehorses are not fit for riding and instead go to sanctuaries. These sanctuaries will care for the horses for the rest of their lives. Some examples of this include Our Mims Retirement Haven, which cares for retired broodmares, and Old Friends, which hosts quite a few famous racehorses. 

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There are currently 81 accredited aftercare organizations and countless other programs and individuals working together to ensure that all racehorses retire to safe homes.