Michigan Horses
Browse listings of off-track Thoroughbreds available for purchase or adoption.
Want to preview future adoptable off-track Thoroughbreds?
Take a tour of The Backside
Join The List
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates sent right to your inbox.
Resources
Horse Adoption
Adopting a horse through CANTER is a 5-step process. Click on one of the steps to learn more. For more details, review our Adoption Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.
Donate
to CANTER Michigan to help Thoroughbred athletes transition to their new lives.
Join the CANTER Team of Volunteers!
Equine professionals, business and marketing professionals, university equine club members, polo club members, 4-H members and those passionate about horses all volunteer with CANTER. When you join our "herd" of volunteers, you'll be making a difference in the lives of off-track Thoroughbreds!
CANTER is a 100% volunteer-driven organization and is always looking for volunteers to help retired Thoroughbred racehorses transition into new homes and careers.
We have a wide variety of volunteer positions, most of which can be done remotely from anywhere with an internet connection! Check out our volunteer form to view a list of volunteer opportunities and get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
Events
Learn more about CANTER Michigan and how you can help give an ex-racehorse the
opportunity for a NEW life, home and career at these upcoming events!
2023 Event Calendar Coming Soon! Thank you for all your support in 2022!
About Us
CANTER Michigan is dedicated to providing off-track Thoroughbreds with opportunities for new homes and careers through rehabilitation, retraining, and adoption.
CANTER is a non-profit organization that began in 1998 in Michigan to help retiring Thoroughbred racehorses transition to lives after the racetrack by listing them for sale on CANTER’s website for public purchase.
Since 1998, CANTER has become a nationwide success, finding new careers and homes for more than 25,000 retiring racehorses. CANTER has expanded to 14 affiliates nationwide.
The CANTER program takes ownership of the horse and provides veterinary assessments and treatments, farrier care, equine dental work, vaccinations, rehabilitation, acclimation to living on a farm and in a herd, retraining for new careers and adoption. Adopters are pre-approved by CANTER. The adopter’s riding skills and potential riding discipline help CANTER to match them with the right OTTB partner.
CANTER is one of the few racehorse aftercare organizations to accept injured Thoroughbreds and provide life-saving surgeries through a partnership with the Michigan State University Equine Veterinary Program. Veterinary students at MSU receive an advanced education as they assist with all aspects of arthroscopic surgeries on CANTER Thoroughbreds.
CANTER OTTBs excel in new careers such as eventing, hunter/jumper, polo, dressage, western pleasure, games and recreational riding. Some have graduated to special careers in mounted divisions of law enforcement or therapeutic riding. They enjoy long lives with loving families thanks to the CANTER program.
CANTER has a non-paid, volunteer staff. Every dollar donated is spent to help Thoroughbreds make successful transitions into new homes and careers. Financial support for CANTER’s program is received from individuals, foundations and equine organizations. Donations pay for surgery, transport, feed, board, training and veterinary and farrier care.
CANTER uses accredited, privately owned equine facilities for boarding, rehabilitation, and training—investing an average of $9,000 to $12,000 per horse from intake to adoption.
CANTER Michigan Board of Directors
- Janet Salisbury, Co-Executive Director, President
- Julie Suehr, Co-Executive Director, Secretary
- Loraine Hudson, Vice President
- Robbie Timmons, Treasurer, Grant Writer
- Scott Burgess, Director & Horse Transportation
- Daniel Michaels, Director & Website Specialist
- Cindy Todaro, Director & Marketing
CANTER Michigan Volunteer Board
- Dr. Frank Nickels, MSU
- Jim Brandstatter
- Tammy Bailey, ADA/CANTER Award
- Suzannah Wise, Advisory Board
- Mark Skibbe, CPA
- Kirsten Porter-Stransky, Google Analytics
- Ashleigh Motoligin, Social Media Specialist
- Michelle Kryszak, Email Marketing
- Beth Petty, Adoption Application Specialist
- Susan Linck, Data Management Specialist
- Val Sherosky, Brand Ambassador/Marketing
- Saya Takai, Aftercare Specialist
Thank you to our generous partners and sponsors!
CANTER Michigan is accredited by TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance). TAA establishes very strict requirements that must be met or exceeded by an equine organization in order to receive TAA accreditation.
CANTER Michigan has again achieved recognition for excellence in Thoroughbred Aftercare with it's program of rehab, retrain, rehome and has received TAA Accreditation. CANTER Michigan, its training and rehab facilities have met and exceeded TAA requirements.
CANTER Michigan is proud to acknowledge the continued support of Thoroughbred Charities of America and pleased to announce that TCA is recognizing the successful program of CANTER Michigan by awarding a generous grant in 2024. THANK YOU to TCA - and THANK YOU to EVERYONE who volunteers, contributes and supports CANTER Michigan!
CANTER Michigan appreciates the continued support of ASPCA in recognizing CANTER Michigan's successful program by awarding a generous grant to help in transitioning Thoroughbreds through CANTER's program of rehab, retrain, rehome.
As a partner in The Right Horse Initiative, we’re proud to support a national movement reframing the conversation about equine adoption. The Right Horse Initiative, a program of the ASPCA, is a collective of industry professionals and equine welfare advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. CANTER Michigan is working with The Right Horse Initiative to promote the bond between horses and humans. We are good people for good horses, and everyone who loves horses has ownership in this movement. To learn more about The Right Horse Initiative, visit www.therighthorse.org and to browse or share adoptable horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org.
We are very proud to be partnered with A Home For Every Horse. Their mission is to provide support for organizations through the program’s many sponsors and Equine Network resources.
AHFEH would like to hear and share your adoption stories, which they showcase, so please share your stories of your adoption of a CANTER horse by clicking on Share your Story.
Sponsors
CANTER Michigan
Office Address (no horses at this location):
8619 Edgewood Park Drive
Commerce Township, MI 48382
Affiliate Horses
Browse listings of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses that are available for purchase or adoption.
Images – Valerie Buller – photographer / CANTER Pennsylvania volunteer
