Second Chances Farm

On May 14, 2009 the Second Chances Farm opened their barn doors to receive its first three retired/rescued thoroughbred race horses. This unique program is possible because of a partnership between DPSCS and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF).

The farm is the first program of its kind to be taught in the state of Maryland. Secretary Gary D. Maynard spearheaded similar programs in other states throughout his various careers within corrections. The partnership not only benefits the horses, but also the offenders who work at the site. There are infinite opportunities for program expansion to include things such as therapeutic and community outreach initiatives.

  New Run-In Shelter Added Spring 2011 Thanks to Private Donor

  Two More Horses Added December 2011

About the Program

As a Public Safety Works program, Second Chances Farm is a restorative justice tool that DPSCS hopes to utilize to give our offender population work skills while also teaching compassion through the care of a living animal. The project began in 2008 with the resurrection of a dilapidated barn and surrounding grounds near our Central Maryland Correctional Facility in Sykesville, MD by offenders in our pre-release system and Maryland Correctional Enterprises. It will eventually be home to approximately 40 horses, and will employ 15 offenders who are nearing their release from the correctional system. This project is also a natural extension of Maryland’s proud tradition in horse racing.

All aspects of this program have been funded by the generosity of donations to TRF.

About the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)

For more than 20 years it has been TRF’s mission to rescue thoroughbred horses whose careers have come to an end and whose futures are frighteningly uncertain. It is rare that a horse will find himself competing at the Triple Crown level. More commonly, the majority of horses are consistently put on the track in the hope that they can provide a continuing stream of income for the owner. Once they can no longer produce income, they become a financial burden that few owners are willing or able to sustain.

Many times, these horses wind up at an auction where they are sold and ultimately end up in a slaughter house. Their meat in sent to foreign countries for human consumption. Annually, more than 100,000 horses face this horrible fate. This is where the TRF enters the picture. They work diligently to find foster farms which can care for the horses that are rescued. The ultimate goal is for the horses to be adopted out and re-trained as pleasure riding, polo, therapeutic and jumping horses.

The TRF Curriculum

TRF has partnered with correctional agencies in more than eight states throughout the country to implement an educational course called Groom Elite. The program provides the opportunity for qualified offenders to learn every aspect of equine care. The Groom Elite course consists of six months of classroom instruction as well as daily hands-on experience for each student. Upon successfully completing the course, the offenders can earn a Groom Elite certificate. Once they are released from incarceration, the students can pursue related careers in the horse industry. The program also provides assistance to graduates in finding employment at horse farms, training facilities, etc.

To learn more about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation visit their website http://www.trfinc.org/.