Mission

Our heartfelt mission is to rescue horses from the threat of slaughter, secure loving homes with the distinctive commitment to lifelong follow up and guardianship. We tirelessly promote a universal understanding that horses require a lifetime commitment of enduring care. Through the provision of resources, education and outreach to communities, individuals and other programs we meet their needs and continue our unwavering promise for a better world for horses and humans.

Founded 1989

How We Save Lives

For 36 years SAHFS & SRF, has been depending on donations and its fundraising efforts to help these horses at risk of slaughter.

Our store is one of these efforts.

When horses are adopted from SAHFS & SRF, it does not permit resale, transfer, breeding, or "first right of refusal" to prevent them from entering back into this slaughter cycle. Most grantors require relinquishment of ownership to an adopter after a year. noting that ownership protects these horses. Our 36 years of data support the contrary. They also require refraining from purchasing these desperate horses from kill pens, stating it will end slaughter. Unfortunately, this has been the practice since the beginning of time.

The lack of grants available, due to these outrageous beliefs, we are selling products to raise much-needed support necessary to provide "bail out funds" for horses in slaughter pens, their transportation to safety, veterinary and farrier care, feed, and rehabilitation for the hundreds of horses we save every year.We appreciate all your support to save these unfortunate horses from slaughter in many parts of the country.

Founding

In 1989, Judith Bokman became aware of the critical challenges faced by retired racehorses, slaughter, which led to the creation of the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF). Now active in 30 states, SRF is the largest adoption program dedicated to Standardbred horses in the United States. The program’s defining feature is its groundbreaking “Guardianship” model, developed to help prevent adopted horses from abuse and neglect and from being resold into the slaughter pipeline.

Each year, tens of thousands of equines—including horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules—are slaughtered, regardless of whether their owners are aware of the risks. To combat this, SRF implemented both the Guardianship model and a Veterinary Follow-Up Program, designed with input from veterinary professionals. These measures provide lifelong oversight to help ensure the safety and well-being of each adopted horse.

SRF is in its 36th year. It has over the years collected many horses adopters pass over due to age, injury, and limitations. A few may be returns from adopters that are no longer attractive to adopters. These horses are all available for adoption however, they are living out their lives with SRF under its care and expense in 14 states. These horses also abide by SRF’s Veterinary Follow-up requirements as well. SRF does not own a farm and leases its main office and housing for 80 horses at farm owned by an equine veterinarian.

Commitment to Protection

A hallmark of a responsible home is regular veterinary care, including vaccinations. SRF builds upon this standard by requiring a simple form semi-annually to be completed by a licensed veterinarian. This helps monitor each horse’s condition and ensure continued welfare.

One of the greatest threats to a horse’s safety is rehoming. SRF does not use a “first right of refusal” policy, which often fails to offer adequate protection. Instead, adopters faced with the need to rehome their horse are encouraged to seek appropriate safe homesy, but only after the new home has been screened and approved by SRF. Every adopted horse remains under SRF’s guardianship for life, and unauthorized transfers or sales are strictly prohibited. Programs fear that by following these practices that potential adopters will feel too restricted, and that they will find themselves with many returned horses. SRF has found that great adopters understand the need for these and comply, and that generally when a horses is returned to a program it has more training and can be re-adopted.

Our Programs

SRF also operates the Equine Alliance for Adoption, Rescue, and Lifetime Welfare (EAARLW.org), a national initiative that provides educational resources to other equine adoption programs, promotes the guardianship model, and advocates for anti-slaughter through legislation and practices.

The Need for Reform

Decades of SRF’s data and advocacy have underscored the necessity of permanent guardianship in equine welfare. Despite this, many industry-supported and independent adoption programs continue practices that leave horses vulnerable to neglect and slaughter.

One positive example of reform came from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), immediately discontinueing its policy of relinquishing adopted Mustangs after one year in response to a significant number of Mustangs being discovered tagged for slaughter. In contrast, racing industry programs have largely failed to adopt similar reforms, as well as most adoption programs highlighting an urgent need for systemic changes and stronger protective measures.

Standardbred racehorses, and crossbreds that are no longer competitive or unable to be bred, are sold to dealers. These dealers are generally from rural communities. One may think these horses are offered good homes this way, but these broodmares are usually in their 20's, and the racehorses are sore, lame or injured. Those physically able to be resold for use as machinery or as transportation on asphalt streets, where they are most always asked to work beyond their physical ability, will live very hard lives. (Race horses are usually not retired if sound, therefore, it makes sense that they cannot perform this hard work.)

People in these rural areas generally regard their animals as equipment. When these horses reach their mid teens they turn them over for fresh ones, as there is never a shortage of horses from the tracks. These used up trotters and pacers are then resold at livestock auctions. There, the primary buyer purchases them for slaughter in Canada or Mexico.

These lovely animals often become wonderful riding, driving, eventing, police mounts, therapeutic riding or trail horses once rehabilitated Some present with injuries too severe to allow them to transition into new careers. These live out their lives with us in sanctuary. There are 215 such horses, and approximately 270 horses currently able to be adopted for pleasure use.

Policies, Practices, & Funding

Euthanasia

The policies of the American Association of Equine Veterinarians are followed. When recommended by a licensed veterinarian a horse may be euthanized.

Rescue Practices

The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, (SRF) has developed a large following for its adoption program, yet much of its work is rescue focused. Save A Horse From Slaughter.org was created under it to make sure the rescue need is heard and understood and that help is not focused solely on Standardbreds.

Horses saved from slaughter initially are assessed for injuries and illness to determine needs. They are then cared for and quarantined. Most are injured, or sick. Generally all are emaciated, are in need of a blacksmith, an equine dentist, and rehabilitation from fractures, \illness, and injuries.

Funding

Approximately 94% of its funding comes from donations and fundraising efforts.

How We Are Different

The program’s defining feature is its groundbreaking “Guardianship” model, developed to help prevent adopted horses from abuse, neglect, or being resold into the slaughter pipeline.

Our Programs

Judith Bokman

Founder, Executive Director

Judith Bokman is a graduate of Wagner College with a degree in Education and a longtime resident of New Jersey. She and her husband, a Cornell University-trained equine veterinarian, have been married for 38 years. They share a deep commitment to animal welfare, fostering both dogs and horses. Judith is the mother of two sons: one is a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Environmental Science and works daily with horses; the other is a graduate of Duke University with a degree in Statistical Neurology and is currently in his second year at Duke University School of Medicine. Judith has dedicated her full-time efforts—on an entirely volunteer, unsalaried basis—to SRF, SAHFS, and EAARLW for over three decades.

We welcome questions and visits. The farms for its 483 horses are owned by individuals, we do not own a farm. A visit can be scheduled in as quickly as a day,

FEDERAL TAX ID: 520325043

A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization registered as Standardbred Retirement Foundation since 1990.

Although horse racing is a multi-billion dollar business, the racing industry has made no large scale provisions to support these grand horses when their racing careers come to an end. Their program will not assist any horses at risk for slaughter, it has insignificant funds for any that may still be sound and young.