Standardbreds are pretty well known for being quite a versatile breed after their days on the racetrack are over. They show well. They serve as calming influences to special-needs children. They even connect with incarcerated convicts and build truly special bonds. Now, a rancher is showing even another aspect of Standardbreds’ versatility.

As a report by NBC Bay Area explains, retired California farmer Dennis Winfrey has taken in 70 retired Standardbreds in the last 25 years.

Winfrey, 78, has not shown the horses, nor has he used them to help connect with people, per se, but what he has done is give the hard-working horses a new job in life: pulling and putting on a show during Civil War re-enactments.

Winfrey is the stable sergeant for the California Historical Artillery Society, and he has called on retired Standardbreds to pull cannons and keep a cool demeanour in situations were there are crowds and loud noises.

The report states that Winfrey currently has more than 30 Standardbreds living on his ranch.

"I was able to give 'em a job,” Winfrey said. “Maybe they weren't good at their last one, but that doesn't concern me."

(With files from NBC Bay Area)