CANTER is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. It is a combination of an adoption program, a rescue program, a networking and referral program, and a resale program.

CANTER has been operating successfully since 1997 and has expanded its successful program throughout the United States.

Please see canterusa.org/about to see more information as well as a listing of our executive board members.

1) CANTER is recognized by TCA Thoroughbred Charities of America– recipient of the 2015 TCA Industry Service Award.

2) CANTER is a recipient of the AAEP Lavin Cup for outstanding equine welfare work.

3) Many CANTER Local Affiliates are accredited by the TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance).

4) CANTER received the USEF/EQUUS Humanitarian Award.

CANTER has transitioned more than 22,000 Thoroughbreds since its start in 1997.

Anyone seriously looking to acquire a horse through CANTER should visit the CANTER horse listings site at canterusa.org/horses. Check back often as new listings and fee reductions of current listings can be updated daily.

You can also contact your local CANTER Local Affiliate and ask to be put on a ‘want list’ if you’re looking for a particular type of horse or skill set.

Phase 1 ‘Trainer Listing’ is a free advertising service provided by CANTER to trainers and owners to place their retiring racehorse. CANTER does not get involved with the actual sale of the horse.

Phase 2 ‘CANTER Owned’ - is where CANTER local chapters (known as Local Affiliates) assume ownership of the horse and all associated expenses. Horses are then adopted to new homes when ready and usually go through a rehabilitation and/or retraining program.

Find out more at canterusa.org/about.

To find out more information or see a horse listed on canterusa.org, simply contact the Local Affiliate, trainer, or owner using the contact information in the horse listing.

You’ll usually need to make an appointment to see the horse. If the horse is at a racetrack, ask which barn at the racetrack the horse and the contact person are located. Please keep in mind race trainers and owners are working and you are at their workplace, be courteous.

Tip: Also ask where to park and where to meet, race trainers and barn managers are usually not in one place all day.

If you’re looking at a Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' horse, you’ll most likely need to complete and submit a CANTER Buyer Approval Form to your CANTER Local Affiliate.

Tip: If you are riding a Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' horse, ask if you should bring your personal equipment (saddle, etc) to try it out on the new horse.

Please contact your Local Affiliate for more information. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates.

To purchase a horse listed through the Phase 1 ‘Trainer Listings’ program, simply contact the trainer or owner using the contact information in the horse listing.

For Phase 2 ‘CANTER Owned’ horses, every adopter must complete a CANTER Buyer Approval form detailing information about the adopter’s horse experience, the location where the horse will be boarded, offer equine veterinary and farrier references and be pre-approved by CANTER. For more detailed information, please contact the CANTER Local Affiliate of your choice.

Please contact your Local Affiliate for more information. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates.

The price of a horse is determined by soundness, training, potential abilities, height, vices and personality. Average prices of horses range from $800 to $3,000.

Phase 1 'Trainer Listing's horse prices may also include “firm”, “negotiable”, “must sell”. The buyer and racehorse owner/trainer agree on a price.

CANTER is a free service to help retired racehorses find non-race homes. We do not charge any commissions or additional fees to the listing trainer or owner or to the purchasers.

CANTER lists primarily Thoroughbreds. Other breeds of racehorses may be listed by CANTER.

The majority of racehorses have Jockey Club registration papers. When the racehorse is at the racetrack, the horse’s Jockey Club paper is required to be on file at the Racing Secretary's office. The horse’s trainer or owner should provide the horse's registration paper when the horse is sold. The Racing Secretary's office is not open 24 hours 7 days a week so it might not be possible for the trainer/owner to get the Jockey Club paper on a particular day. You can make arrangements to finalize the sale when horse’s Jockey Club registration paper is available.

Plan on paying cash to a trainer/owner to buy a horse at the racetrack. Most may not have a local bank account as they move to other racetracks.

These horses are NOT for beginners! Although extremely intelligent, they need professional retraining. The trainers of Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' Thoroughbreds can help you choose a horse that will fit your riding experience and that will be a good match for you. They know each horse’s abilities and personality. An experienced horse person or equine vet may offer advice and assist you in selecting a thoroughbred at the track.

Phase 1 'Trainer Listing' Horses:
If the horse is listed directly by the racing trainer/owner and is not a Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' horse, CANTER DOES NOT OFFER ANY GUARANTEE ON THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OR BEHAVIOR OF THE HORSE. Buyer and seller are responsible to determine details of the sale, transportation, care, and soundness of any horse.

All statements made on the Phase 1 'Trainer Listing' of CANTER’s website are the descriptions of the trainers/owners of their horses and are not verified by CANTER.

CANTER recommends a veterinary pre-purchase examination.

It is best to see the horse that you are interested in whether at the racetrack, on the racing owner’s farm, or at a CANTER facility that trains CANTER-owned Thoroughbreds.

There are more horses stabled at the track. You can make appointments with trainers/owners to see several horses in one trip. However, you will not be allowed to ride any horses. CANTER recommends a vet pre-purchase exam for any horse you are interested in buying at the racetrack.

Horses located at the owners/trainers farms have usually had an opportunity to be turned. Some may have been ridden and received basic training. However, the farms may be located over a wide geographic area requiring more driving.

CANTER may have a volunteer to help you. These volunteers do NOT offer advice on purchase or physical condition of any horse. They can assist you in finding the barns and helping you with race track backside etiquette.

Tip: Get the cell number of the volunteer you’re meeting and give them your cell number.

Contact the CANTER Local Affiliate that has listed the horse on the Phase 1 'Trainer Listing's and ask if a volunteer can meet you at the track and assist you with your appointment(s) with trainers.

Please contact your Local Affiliate for more information. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates.

CANTER recommends that your trainer or experienced horse person go with you to help evaluate the horse. Before purchasing the horse, CANTER recommends a vet pre-purchase exam.

Horses are trained at the racetrack 7 days a week so any day can potentially work. Make your appointment with the trainer(s) whose horses you are interested in seeing.

Most trainers are at the track between 7:30am to 11:00am. By late morning into early afternoon, horses are resting and trainers have left the grounds. Find a time convenient for you both. It is best not to schedule appointments late afternoon/evening on race days as trainers are preparing horses to race.

You may have to check in at the Stable Gate. The Trainer may be called to meet you and accompany you to the barn where the horse is located. When you make the appointment, ask about the procedure to see the horse at the track.

No. You will NOT be allowed to ride the horse at the track. If the horse is at a farm, it can be ridden at the owner's discretion. 

Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' horses may be ridden with a signed liability waiver/release. CANTER encourages you to get to know your potential CANTER horse both under saddle and around the farm.

CANTER suggests a vet pre-purchase exam for any horse before buying it. For horses stabled at the race track you may have to use a track approved veterinarian.  

It is the buyer's responsibility to transport the horse. You can take your horse trailer to the track the day of your appointment and bring your new horse home that day. Or contact a transporter to determine the availability of transport.

For all general questions, please see our contact information on our support page at canterusa.org/support.

For questions related to the operations of a specific Local Affiliate, please contact that Local Affiliate. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates - visit their respective websites for contact information.

For Phase 1 'Trainer Listing' horses, this must be discussed and arranged with them. It is normally not done and CANTER does not recommend it.

For horses that are Phase 2 'CANTER Owned' horses, deposits are not taken to “hold” a horse.

CANTER’s mission statement is to help retiring racehorses coming directly from the racing industry. CANTER cannot list any and all former racehorses.

Please contact your Local Affiliate for more information. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates.

If your horse is a Thoroughbred or racehorse coming directly from the racing industry, you may be eligible to donate your horse to CANTER. Please contact your Local Affiliate for more information. You can see a list of CANTER Local Affiliates at canterusa.org/affiliates.