Source:  various

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), based in Saratoga, New York, has allegedly reneged on its commitment to support retired racehorses on farms around the country.

According to a New York Times article, farms in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Carolina have not been paid for the basic needs of animals whose support is under contract with the TRF.  

Trustees of the Paul Mellon Foundation, which has been a generous contributor to the TRF, became alarmed at complaints from some of the farms and hired a veterinarian to evaluate the condition of animals at the retirement facilities.  

The NY Times article quotes veterinarian, Dr. Stacey Huntington of Missouri, as saying, “The horses are getting the short end of the stick from this group that advertises itself as advocates of horses,” 

Huntington's investigation found horses that were emaciated, ill, and in some cases, horses were missing, presumed dead.  

Some farms had tried to care for the animals despite the foundation's non-payment of contracted remuneration.  

Some had complained to the foundation, only to have animals removed from their care and taken to other, cheaper facilities.  

Other farms, it appears, simply let the animals fall into bad health, or die.

The case is now in front of authorities, both in the jurisdictions in which the farms are located, and most likely, the TRF itself will now be thoroughly investigated.