Beginning in 2016, Harness Horse Breeders of NYS and the Morrisville Equine Institute took on a new initiative for Standardbred aftercare. At that time all Morrisville Yearling Sale consignors pledged support of the new initiative and joined in supporting NY-bred aftercare.

In 2018 alone the program has provided help to 19 horses. Funds were used for bail and to cover shipping and quarantine if necessary. Every NY-Bred in danger of slaughter that the HHBNYS was contacted about was bailed. This 100 percent success rate was also made possible by individual contributions of the Harness Horse Breeders’ membership when the Morrisville Yearling Sale funding was exhausted.

Harness Horse Breeders of New York State and Morrisville Equine Institute have decided to continue this endeavour again this year for all 2017 yearlings owned and sold by Morrisville College on September 16, 2018. The College will donate $100.00 from the purchase price of each of their yearlings to a reserve fund to support any NY-Bred Standardbreds found to be in need.

Erin Shantal, reproduction manager of the equine program at the Morrisville Equine Institute, states “We are amazed by the response of our wonderful consignors and hope that purchasers will also be generous and help support the aftercare program in the years to come.” A donation box will also be available at the Harness Horse Breeder’s table at the sale for those individuals who would like to make a donation.

Morrisville College and the Harness Horse Breeders of NYS are once again asking consignors to support this initiative to provide a safety net for our NY-Bred horses.

For a sponsorship form please contact Mary at Morrisville Equine Institute (315-684-6355.) The HHBNYS will coordinate the use of the donations for NY-Bred horse support services and with further assistance from the Standardbred Retirement Fund work to provide safe homes for these horses.

(HHBNYS)