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New Life Center for Thoroughbreds is proud to be participating for the third time in SML Gives 2024. SML Gives is an online giving event that provides local Bedford and Franklin County nonprofits the opportunity to fundraise, gain exposure and build relationships. This year NLCT is fundraising for a new shelter for our new rehab and recovery field. In 2023 we had a generous donor fund two new fields being fenced for our rescue horses.  The next step to be able to give more thoroughbreds a second chance is to give this field shelter. This shelter is so important for these horses to have a safe place to live. A shed will provide them with shade in the summer, cover from the rain, a place to get out the wind, warmth in the winter, and much more! Check out our page at https://smlgives.mightycause.com/organization/New-Life-Center-For-Thoroughbreds.

On March 2^nd 2024, New Life Center for Thoroughbreds hosted their first Charity Jumper Show of the year. We had thirteen incredible sponsors supporting our event. We were able to fundraise just under $4,000 for our horses! The sun was shining, music was playing, and horses were jumping. It was a wonderful day supporting our vision to help give every thoroughbred a chance at a new life. We cannot wait to start planning our next charity jumper show on May 5^th.

We are so excited to announce that we are starting a collaboration with Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation! Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation is a 501(C)(3) dedicated to helping Thoroughbreds from exploitation, suffering, and slaughter. Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation and New Life Center for Thoroughbreds share a common interest – protecting the off the track thoroughbred and helping them find their second careers. When our President, Heather Kourcklas, connected with Unbridled’s President, Susan Kayne, magic happened! It was clear that our two organizations shared a common interest and that we could assist each other in helping the thoroughbred racehorse. Unbridled is currently without access to a trainer, and New Life is looking for horses to help and take through our 5R program. Even more serendipitous, Unbridled rescues OTTBs from kill pens, a venture that we here at New Life have been aiming to start. After a few conversations, it was decided that Unbridled and New Life could work together to brighten the future of OTTBs. In a few weeks’ time, we are very excited to be accepting one of Unbridled’s horses, Tiny Magoo, to put through our training program!

Our lovely sanctuary horse, Promise, arrived to us from another rescue with badly fractured withers. While it was clear that Promise’s fractured withers had happened long ago in her past, no other information was known on how Promise fractured her withers. In the summer of 2023, Promise’s withers started to look a bit awry. She had a pocket of ooze and it became clear that her withers required attention. We had our wonderful vet, Abby Atkins, x-ray Promise’s withers. At that time, It became clear that Promise’s withers were infected. At first, Dr. Atkins thought she might be able to debride the pieces of infected bone, but after closer inspection, she recommended a more thorough surgery. While we looked into surgery for Promise, the outcome wasn’t as optimistic as we had hoped. Promise, who enjoys her days living outside 24/7 with her pasture mates, would be required to be on stall rest for almost a year and the prognosis for recovery was not great. We carefully weighed the pros and cons and decided to try a medical and holistic approach first. A culture of Promise’s withers went out and we were able to identify exactly which antibiotic she needed. In addition, we’ve done many alternative therapies such as acupuncture and reiki. Not only that, we started to shockwave Promise’s withers every 1-3 months. After being on antibiotics, receiving alternative therapies, and TLC, we are so thrilled to report that Promise’s withers have been improving! Thankfully this improvement has occurred without invasive surgery. Promise has been able to continue living her best life outside with her pasture buddies. This outcome has been a huge relief to us – and no doubt Promise – and we look forward to continuing to make her the most comfortable and happiest she can be!