Situated in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario, Go and Play Stables is a family owned Standardbred Rescue, Retraining and Re-Homing Facility owned by Sarah and Patti Merriam.  The rescue is operated 100% by a team of dedicated volunteers who donate their time.  Never has the Standardbred been in more need of this service.

The rescue is currently awaiting non profit status, and supports itself through volunteer donations, public donations and monies raised through on-going fund raising events, including: A comedy night "Horse Play - Comedy for A Cause", OI-line auctions and draws, numerous yard sales & open houses, a fishing tournament, a booth at the Havelock Jamboree, participating in the All About Horses at the Lindsay Rodeo Days (promoting the Standardbred's versatility), participating in an educational day on Standardbreds After Racing at the Orono Fair.  

Additionally, we regularly promote the rescue through community television spots, social media, including Facebook, the Web and Twitter, and in various print media, such as TheRider Magazine, and newspapers.

November 16th, 2013, we will be hosting a Drivers Night at Woodbine Race Track in Toronto.  The evening  includes a dinner in the magnificent grandstand dining room, slot vouchers, a betting guide, silent auction and a featured Go and Play Stables race with cooler presentation. Our very own superstar "Mojo" will be leading the post parade for our featured race and select drivers will be donating a percentage of their paychecks throughout the night!  

Stable owner (Sarah) is an experienced equestrian who previously had a stable full of Warmbloods, an often sought out breed. While working with Standardbreds for over 10 years,  Sarah fell in love with this versatile breed, which is often shunned by equestrians seeking sport horses, though ironically they are part Warmblood themselves. Standardbreds can make excellent sport horses, and Halla, the only horse to win three Olympic Gold Medals, is a shining example of that.  While her name is well known, the fact that she is a Standardbred is not.
 
Over the course of the past 2 years, GPS has successfully rescued, rehabilitated, retrained and re-homed over 25 horses.  The rescue is currently running at maximum-capacity, and has been regrettably turning away horses because there simply is no room.  With the recent demise of the Slots at Racetracks Program, the market (already overflowing with horses) shows that over fifty percent of the horses currently offered for sale/adoption and going through OLEX are Standardbreds.  

The cost of operating a rescue comes with huge challenges and expenses, including hay, fencing, shelters, vet and farrier expenses, supplements, necessary medications, etc.  The majority of rescued horses coming into the stable are in good health.   There are exceptions: like Skye, who was completely emaciated, covered in lice & feces, and severely malnourished and neglected.  In her case, she required a structured feeding program, constant veterinary care and farrier work.  Her costs exceeded $368.00 per month.  

First and foremost, the horses are given a rehabilitation period - a chance for them to relax, unwind, play and learn how to "be just a horse" again.  Once we've accomplished that, the retraining period begins - slowly and properly, with all the essential basics applied.  Even though these horses have been exposed to many different situations, they are all treated as young un-started horses.   With over 100 years of combined experience in both the Standardbred and the equestrian world our team understands the initial challenges of re-training this versatile breed, providing our horses with the proper guidance required for their new careers as show, pleasure and companion horses. 

We believe this is the key to our success at GPS.   Go and Play Stables embraces racehorse aftercare.    "Patience And Persistence Pays Off", and that is the philosophy that Go and Play Stables is built on.   If you have any questions about our stable, please feel free to contact us. (www.goandplaystables.com)(gpstables@gmail.com)