Horses Looking for Caring Sponsors...

Updated November 2008

SENIOR COCO
Liver chestnut gelding, 16 hands, 7 years old
Master Bill-Putting on Airs, by Cassaleria
Bred in Florida
Came off the track: November 2007
Fostered in VT

Senior Coco was a horse in serious trouble at the end of last year's racing meet: he had a fractured ankle, and his trainer was running out of time to place him before having to ship out of Suffolk Downs. Though he was in obvious pain and could only walk with a limp, Senior Coco was still a very proud horse: he held his head high, and had a sparkle in his eye that seemed to imply, "I'm going to make it, no matter what."

The generosity of a Good Samaritan allowed Senior Coco to enter CANTER NE's adoption program. He hit the jackpot a second AND third time: his foster mom specializes in rehabilitating OTTBs, and a wonderful friend of that foster mom offered to help Coco get the medical care he needed! Thanks to all of these true horsewomen, Coco has had access to outstanding veterinary, farrier, and chiropractic care.

Coco is thriving. His ankle is almost healed, and he loves sunning himself in his spacious paddock and calling to the other horses over the fence. He is moving better and better every day, and we are hopeful that he will soon be ready to find a permanent home - and a new career as a riding horse - to call his own!
  

SPONSOR SENIOR COCO by choosing the monthly giving option and filling in his name

AILEEN'S PRIDE (aka "Petey")
Bay gelding, 16.2 hands, 6 years old
Allen's Prospect-Aileen's Countess, by Dancing Count (CAN)
Bred in Maryland
Came off the track: October 2007
Fostered in CT

Petey's story is the story of countless horses running in the claiming ranks at tracks across the country: he earned his money the hard way, grinding out each paycheck, slugging it out with other hard-trying geldings and gradually slipping down the ladder as injuries sapped his ability. 

When we met him last fall, Petey's racing days were clearly, finally over: his ankles, inflamed and sore, had given out on him. A kindhearted track employee was concerned about Petey's plight, and made arrangements to get him into CANTER NE's adoption program. The day he left, he walked calmly and willingly onto his foster mom's van, doing what was asked of him without complaint, as he'd always done. 

For his first couple of months in foster care, Petey was almost too well-behaved; he stood quietly in his paddock, taking in the sights of life on the farm. His foster mom and the CANTER volunteers were pleased to hear, early last winter, that Petey had finally started bucking, squealing, and prancing around when let out every morning: he was feeling like a young Thoroughbred again!

Today, Petey is doted upon by his foster parents. He is a wonderful friend to the other horses at his foster home, sharing his hay agreeably and participating in unofficial "races" across the paddock. He has gained weight and his big, solid frame is filling out - he looks as good as he's feeling! His ankles are much improved, and he should soon be able to start retraining as a pleasure horse. Petey has come full circle and everyone associated with him couldn't be happier.   

SPONSOR PETEY by choosing the monthly giving option and filling in his name

S.W. DUCE
Dark bay gelding, 16.1 hands, 5 years old
Behrens-Mysunshinecaroline, by Miners Mark
Bred in Kentucky
Came off the track: November 2007
Fostered in ME

S.W. Duce came into the world as a member of racing royalty: bred and born in the Kentucky bluegrass, his sire, Behrens, earned nearly $5 million on the track. Hopes were high for Duce, and he showed considerable talent when he began his racing career.

Unfortunately, Duce was hindered by knee chips that emerged in the midst of his 3-year-old campaign. Surgery to remove the chips did not help - new chips immediately reappeared, and Duce was unable to compete at his previous level. Soon after he pulled up in what would prove to be his final race at Suffolk Downs, his trainer, Bobby Raymond, approached CANTER.

Because Duce had so much heart, Bobby explained, he ran through the pain in his knee in an effort to give his all...and his trainer and owner (who had owned Duce since babyhood, even naming him after his own father) were afraid that it was only a matter of time before he severely injured himself. In an effort to look out for their horse, they donated him to CANTER NE.

Duce is a perfect gentleman (clearly knowing how a blueblood should act!), and made the transition to farm life with aplomb. His foster parents can't say enough good about him; he's like a big dog, following his foster dad around and loving nothing more than to be brushed and fussed over. He also gets quite a kick out of watching the deer that occasionally show up on the property! (he's sniffing a deer family in the photo at right, above)...

Duce was initially believed unlikely to come riding sound. However, he is now moving very well out in the pasture and his foster mom's vet is hopeful that he will be able to start trying out life as a flatwork/trail horse come spring.

He is just about the nicest, most low-key companion you'll ever find. We have faith that someone will fall in love with this handsome gentleman and make him theirs. Who wouldn't want royalty in their backyard, after all??
  

SPONSOR DUCE by choosing the monthly giving option and filling in his name

POWER PLAYER (aka "Pip")
Dark bay gelding, 16 hands, 3 years old
Cimarron Secret-Kelly's Waltz, by Kipper Kelly
Bred in Florida
Came off the track: May 2008
Fostered in MA

Pip's racing career was over nearly as soon as it began. Just after the start of the 2008 racing meet at Suffolk Downs, Pip fractured his sesamoid on the track. His situation was urgent; thankfully, CANTER NE volunteers were on hand and quickly agreed to help this youngster.

Pip has spent the past several months recuperating at his foster home. Though he was just a baby - and still a colt! - when he arrived, he quickly demonstrated a cool head, as though he understood that he had to behave himself in order to get better. Everyone at his foster home is quite taken with this very, very handsome boy; he has lots of personality, is full of vim and vigor, and clearly never thought twice about whether he'd make a full recovery...he just knew he would!

Pip's most recent X-rays show that he will need more time to heal, but we are hopeful he will soon be able to come off stall rest (something he'll greatly enjoy). His prognosis as a riding prospect is outstanding and Pip can't wait to start learning!

SPONSOR PIP by choosing the monthly giving option and filling in his name

JOSHIE MAN 
Chestnut mare, 16.1 hands, 4 years old
Mojave Moon-Big Fish, by Star of the Crop
Bred in Maryland
Came off the track: November 2008
Fostered in MA

Joshie has a rather unfortunate name, given that she's no "man" - she's actually a lovely, elegant mare! 16.1 hands of playful exuberance and showy moves, Joshie just entered CANTER's adoption program at the close of the 2008 Suffolk meet. She has swelling in the tendon of her left front ankle that causes her to move stiffly when she first gets going, but she trots out very, very nicely after "warming up," and we are hopeful she will make a full recovery with time off over the winter.

Joshie didn't do much on the racetrack, and like a lot of horses at claiming tracks across the country, she didn't have many options for a future as a racehorse. Thankfully, her trainer was willing to donate Joshie to us to ensure that she'd have plenty of time to heal and a chance to learn a new job down the line. We're eagerly anticipating what this athletic mare will be capable of once she's had some well-earned downtime!

SPONSOR JOSHIE by choosing the monthly giving option and filling in her name

Questions about sponsorship, or any of our horses? Feel free to contact us any time!