ATFL News
February 2009
Dear Friends,
The new year has not been friendly to the Thoroughbreds. Breeding and training facilities are culling their herds or closing because it is cost prohibitive to operate.
Many trainers and owners can't support their horses when they can no longer race or breed. Thoroughbred sales throughout the country are seeing decreases in
horses consigned, horses sold and income generated. The dollars waged at racetracks across the country was down by $1 billion dollars last year and can incur
similar loses this year.
This news should give us all cause for concern. Now is the time to help the Thoroughbreds. These horses work hard for our enjoyment. Thoroughbreds give it their
all on the racetrack to provide you with a thrill of a lifetime. Please donate to help the ex-racers and broodmares transition
off the track, out of the breeding shed and into second careers. As our donations increase, our ability to help more horses also increases. We are in contact
with rescues across the United States helping them help their Thoroughbreds.
After the Finish Line is already working on their 2nd annual summer fundraiser. Our fundraiser will be held in August and will coincide with the Del Mar race meet.
If you are a business owner or want to donate personal items or vacations homes to our silent or live auction please contact me at
dawn@afterthefinishline.org. Table sponsorships are also available. If you live out of the area you can
attend in spirit by making a donation. More details will follow in upcoming newsletters. More information about our current fundraiser, Equine Designs, can be
found on our website Fundraiser page.
Non-profits such as ATFL will have to navigate through an uncertain economy to support their cause. If you have fundraising or grant writing skills, management
skills, influential contacts or just a little extra time on your hands, you can create opportunities for ATFL. Please contact me at
dawn@afterthefinishline.org and introduce yourself. If your organization wants to hold a fundraiser for
ATFL we'd be happy to speak with you.
After the Finish Line will award Emergency Funds to 4 rescues this month. Brite Futures in Penn. rescued a 17 year old Thoroughbred they named Silver.
He was found standing in mud over his ankles, depressed and underweight. His feet were sore and his soles were extremely thin due to the constant wet
winter weather. Silver needs to be in a dry area until his soles get thicker. After two months of living in a dry environment
his soles are starting to thicken and he is being longed to help strengthen and develop his muscles. In time he will be evaluated under saddle for adoption.
ATFL will pay the boarding fee for Silver to stay in an indoor arena while his feet heal.
Castleton Ranch rescued three broodmares that were almost 300 pounds underweight. They haven't been wormed in months and they are very sore on their feet.
One mare is lame due to severe hoof damage caused by lack of farrier care. Each horse has evidence of a recent abscess. Another mare is currently being
treated for an abscess. Time, supplements, hay, feed, meds, and vet and farrier care are helping them to heal. The rescue was even told that they are pregnant!
Luckily they aren't. One mare is expected to remain at the rescue due to her poor condition.
The other two mares will be adopted later in the year. After the Finish Line will
help these broodmares get the much needed vet and medical attention required to improve their health.
Chez Chevaux in Washington State rescued a Thoroughbred from Emerald Downs named My Plan.
His racing earnings totaled $24k. While playing in the snow he slipped, fell and caught his foreleg on a fence rail. While getting up he further cut it
deeply with his rear shoe. The vet was able to stitch two of the four cuts. He is currently on stall rest and is expected to make a full recovery.
ATFL will assist with My Plans vet bills.
For the months of January and February, Our Mims in Kentucky requested arthritis medication for two aged broodmares.
Alabama Nana and Princess Royale, ages 28 and 24 respectively,
have impressive race records, breeding and have produced foals by several notable stallions. This medication will keep them comfortable during the cold
Kentucky ice storms.
The deadline to postmark ATFL grant applications was January 31. Our board members will carefully review each application received. We look forward to
providing funding for the Thoroughbreds that rely on the care and rehabilitation provided by the rescues. Grant recipients will be announced in our April newsletter.
Together we can help them transition into a second career.
Many news articles are written about After the Finish Line without our knowledge. If you are a member of the press, please send us the article. We will add
it to our newsletter and website press page.
Thank you for helping the Thoroughbreds,
Dawn Mellen, President
After the Finish Line
