At Hampton Classic, ASPCA promotes equine adoption

When most people hear of the ASPCA's adoption programs, they probably think of the agency finding homes for dogs and cats.

But this week, the animal care group took center ring at the Hampton Classic - one of the biggest and most prestigious horse shows in the nation - to showcase a program for much bigger animals, finding homes for unwanted horses.

"A hundred thousand horses a year go to slaughterhouses in Canada or Mexico," said Jacque Schultz, director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals equine fund, which last year gave $540,000 in grants to 164 equine rescue groups nationwide.

On Long Island, four equine rescue groups collectively took in about 100 horses last year, hoping most would eventually be adopted.

The newest group, the Kaeli Kramer Foundation in Melville, was formed just over a year ago. It is named for a 19-year-old college student from West Hills who wanted to become a veterinarian, but was hit by a truck and killed on the Farmingdale State University campus where she was taking a summer school class.

"My daughter wanted to be an equine veterinarian," said Kaeli's mother, Linda Kramer, also of West Hills. "Her whole life was horses. She loved animals. She wanted to make the world a more beautiful place for them."

But as Kramer worked and rode at stables and race tracks, she also saw how some horses are neglected or sold by indifferent owners or stables when they become too old to be ridden or raced, her mother said. "Some stable managers and owners see to it they get a humane retirement. They are to be commended. . . . Some have no responsibility [and the horses] go to auction."

Often, she said, the only bidder is working for a company that ships the horse to a slaughterhouse.

Valerie Angeli, the ASPCA's director of equine events and special projects, said many of those animals are 5- or 6-year-old thoroughbred race horses. They can live beyond age 20, but as they age, often cost more to keep than they will make in racing.

Horses can be expensive to board - food and vet bills and stall rental for those who do not own a farm can easily run more than $1,000 a month.

But the ASPCA officials said the Hampton Classic was a perfect place to reach people who care about horses and might help find some a home.

The agency brought eight horses to the opening day ceremonies of the weeklong classic on Sunday, and Angeli said people have shown interest in adopting most of them.

Equine rescue groups want to be sure the horse will be properly cared for.

They check out the stable where the horse will be boarded, talk to a potential owner's veterinarian and look into their history of riding and caring for horses.

"Horses need a tremendous amount of care, and that's the reality of it," Kramer said.