CANTER
Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses
(Original Michigan program and Affiliates)

In 1997 the Michigan racing industry through Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) Board member, Jo Anne Normile, developed a placement program to protect Michigan's retiring racehorses not realizing that in a few years their innovative idea would be duplicated by other racing states to the extent that there is now a waiting list to form new affiliates!

At its "foaling" in 1997, the concept was embraced enthusiastically by their horsemen as an alternative to auction/slaughter and it quickly became apparent that the program needed to separate from the Michigan HBPA and obtain charitable nonprofit IRS status.

Over 950 horses have transitioned in Michigan alone since the program's inception and in 2001 over $30,000 of veterinary treatment, primarily but not limited to arthroscopic surgery, was performed on the CANTER owned horses through a unique association with Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and under the direction of orthopedic surgeon and Chief of Staff, John Stick, DVM. In addition, injured horses receive 100% donated care by the private racetrack veterinarians before leaving the backside area and over a half a dozen field veterinarians provide donated or steeply discounted services to CANTER owned horses.

Any horse racing in Michigan, including ship ins, or horses of any Michigan trainer or owner that are racing in another state benefit from this innovative program. However, it would be a gross misconception to think that the Michigan CANTER program deals only with Michigan bred horses. Due to the "trickle down effect" of horses moving downward due to lack of speed or injury, many of the country's horses eventually find their way into the Michigan CANTER program as they cross the finish line the last time.

Horses bred in major breeding states such as California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Texas and Maryland have been assisted by the Michigan CANTER program as have horses that initially set track records out East but now compete in low level claiming races until their racing days finally end. Many of these horses former stars have been the recipients of arthroscopic surgery through the Michigan State University/CANTER Fund to repair the injuries suffered earlier in their careers. Each year there are always those impressive old campaigners that have competed at tracks all over the country. With well over 100 starts and some with over 200 starts, they wear on their legs the "racing jewelry" of their competitive life and they too come into the Michigan program. They leave their nomadic life behind and with time and patience, they are still versatile enough to transition into a variety of nonrace homes.

CANTER first helps the trainers/owners themselves find nonrace homes for their retiring but still actively racing horses through photographs and listings on the CANTER website at no charge to either seller or nonrace buyer. However, if there is no time to use the listing service, CANTER is there to help. Although donations of horses are always encouraged, CANTER of Michigan will not walk past a horse in need because an owner is financially unable to donate. In 2001, CANTER purchased directly off the track more than half of the 95 horses it owned by matching the going auction price and preventing these horses from ever hearing an auctioneers' gavel. No horse is turned away - no matter what their level of soundness -- as CANTER strongly believes that the injured need their help the most. Likewise, no differentiation is made with reference to a horse's pedigree or race record as CANTER also believes that all horses feel fear and pain without regard to their speed index. If racing at Michigan's track, Great Lakes Downs, or owned by a Michigan trainer or owner and racing elsewhere, the horse will not be refused entry into the Michigan placement program.

CANTER's philosophy is simple: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" and this philosophy has served them well. CANTER of Michigan receives support from the Michigan HBPA, the Blue Horse Charities of Fasig-Tipton, the Thoroughbred Charities of America, and private donors and is endorsed by Michigan TOBA, the Office of the Racing Commission, Great Lakes Downs, the Michigan Horse Council and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. However, transporting and purchasing horses at risk, many with serious injuries requiring long lay ups at CANTER foster homes, keeps the volunteer organization in a constant financial crisis and the recent recognition and financial assistance by the racing industry on a national level has elated and inspired Michigan CANTER and its affiliates seeking to bring their programs to the level of the Michigan program.

HERB BLACKHAWK a 4 year old gelding purchased from CANTER of Ohio at Beulah Park is one of two horses that found a new career in the Mounted Police Unit! His story will be available soon.

CANTER affiliate programs now operate in Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Minnesota and New England. Each affiliate is a separate entity and obtains separate IRS approval and, therefore, must provide their own fund-raising but operate with the approval and guidance of Michigan CANTER. Their goals are to obtain enough infrastructure and funding to match every aspect of the Michigan program. Since the addition of the new affiliates, the numbers of horses that have transitioned from racing through CANTER has exceeded 1300 horses!

CANTER of Ohio based at Thistledown Racetrack offers the listing service and assistance in finding nonrace homes and also accepts donated horses and does purchase horses at risk when funds are available. By trainer demand, they are currently expanding to Beulah Park Racetrack in Columbus, Ohio. All other CANTER affiliate programs --with the exception of Minnesota which purchases former racing Thoroughbreds from their local auctions -- operate under Phase I of the program which means that volunteers have track licenses and are a weekly presence on the backside taking listings and photographs of horses the trainers/owners wish to retire from racing and posting them to their geographic section of the CANTER website. All affiliate programs hope to move into the rescue phase of the program when funding is available to do so.

Having been conceived by the racing industry itself, CANTER appreciates that our successes and enjoyment of racing have come upon the backs of these magnificent creatures. We applaud the industry for its recent candid and informative statements and articles on horse slaughter and its determination to provide financial assistance for any retiring Thoroughbred racehorse. We encourage the racing industry as a collective entity to support the legislation that would ban horse slaughter. We are far too ingenious to let the "Chicken Little" attitude of the pro-slaughter voices permit us any longer to ignore the terror and pain that too many of our racehorses and all horses currently endure.

Please read Blue Horse Charities' Success Story Number 3 for the saga of Make It Happen, a horse sold for meat and the 13 day ordeal suffered by this sound horse long BEFORE stepping foot on a double decker bound for the slaughterhouse. This is routine and not uncommon for horses sold for meat. Do you know where YOUR horses are today?

For more information, visit all programs at the CANTER website at www.canterusa.org or contact Jo Anne Normile, Founder/Executive Director, at 10801 Last Drive, Plymouth, MI 48170, Telephone: 734-455-0639.

Read the stories of Scarlett Scretary, Andros First, Tashanic, Twosie's Doosie, Clever Miss Cox, B. Schoor.