by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Homes are needed for nine Standardbreds, one gelding and eight fillies and mares, seized by the Humane Society of Carroll County (Maryland). They will be shown to prospective adopters on April 1 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at Hanover Shoe Farms, 330 Hoover Avenue, Littlestown, Pa. The public is invited and the horses can be adopted by individuals or section 501(c)(3) groups.

Photos of the horses up for adoption can be seen here.

There is no adoption fee and while the horses are registered Standardbreds, papers will not be conferred.

Barbara Livingston photo

The 10-year-old mare Flying W Nukes, pictured this past December with Hanover staff member Mike Miller, is up for adoption.

The available horses were seized in October 2011 by the Humane Society from their breeder/owner, located in Mt. Airy, Maryland.

Since the Humane Society was unable to shelter any of the seized horses, they have been in the care of Hanover Shoe Farms since October, with financial assistance by the U.S. Trotting Association’s SOS (Support Our Standardbreds) program.

The horses have been turned out with shelter since their arrival at Hanover Shoe Farms, have improved muscle tone and their worming, vaccinations and foot care are up to date. They have current Coggins and documents needed for travel.

“It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said Russell Williams, vice president of Hanover Shoe Farms, who was asked to inspect the horses’ living conditions by the Humane Society. “I didn’t think Standardbred people would ever treat their horses as these were treated. They were slowly dying.”

This is a photo of an unidentified gelding upon arrival at Hanover Shoe Farms on Oct. 6, 2011.

After five months of diligent care, the horses are markedly improved and healthy.

“These are healthy horses with unlimited potential in pleasure disciplines, but, except for two mares, have had no training and minimal handling,” says Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, manager of Hanover Shoe Farms. “They need consistent and extended handling and training. They are not for beginners and will need skilled and patient horsemanship. They’re friendly, surprisingly resilient and trusting of humans. The sky is the limit for them now.”

Those who would like to adopt a horse must apply to or already be approved by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, New Vocations or Omega Horse Rescue. Prospective adopters are asked to specify their interest in a Hanover horse when applying for approval for first-time adopters or proof of approval for past adopters.

Those approved for adoption by other 501(c)(3) groups are welcome and should contact Ellen Harvey (contact information below) with proof of that approval before March 30.

Those with proof of approval by a group above or prior confirmation with Harvey of another group’s approval before March 30 will be able to select and leave with a horse that day. Others can apply for approval if they see a horse of interest on April 1.

The USTA will provide performance certificates at no charge, so horses can compete in breed restricted pleasure horse events. The full list of horses available for adoption follows. For questions, contact Ellen Harvey, the USTA’s coordinator of Standardbred support programs at ellen.harvey@ustrotting.com or 732.780.3700.

Tag #45–9yo gelding–Flying W Road–solid bay
Tag #35–5yo mare–Flying W Grace–Bay/white
Tag #60–15yo mare–Tyler’s Bella–Brown/white
Tag #48–13yo mare–Sweetdreamsofjewel–solid bay
Tag #36–3yo filly–Unnamed–bay/white–Freeze brand #4G463
Tag #37–10 yo mare–Flying W Nukes–black/small star–this mare raced three starts
Tag #64–3 yo filly–Unnamed–bay/white–identity not yet confirmed
Tag #61–16 yo mare–FW Jewells Mark–bay/white–raced two years, 32 starts, six wins.
Tag #58–11 yo bay mare–Flying W Yoggie–brown/white