Second Chances at James River

A Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

In 2007, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Virginia Department of Corrections entered into a partnership to provide rehabilitation and training for inmates, using ex-racehorses rescued by the Foundation. “Greener Pastures," located at James River Work Center in Goochland County, is the newest of nine “Second Chances” programs developed by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation nationwide.

A letter from the local coordinator

Dear friend of horses and humanity,

In April of 2007, when I began asking friends to support the establishment of a Thoroughbred retirement program at the prison farm nearby, I had no idea how big the project would become. By August, when we were ready to bring in the first horses, I was spending every waking hour on the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. And I was starting to get a little grumpy about it.

Then one day I took our kind old mare, Shelby, to the renovated barn at James River Work Center so the men could see a quiet horse before they got a whole herd of ex-racehorses. It still makes me tear up to remember how excited they were. They swarmed all over Shelby, smiling and patting her soft coat, feeding her apples from their lunch and taking turns leading her around. All my grumpiness fell away.

I had gotten into this to save horses, but I realized an even greater gift would be to save the life of a human being.

Happily, we are doing both.

We have 14 horses and six men in the program, and we expect to grow. Under the guidance of the JRWC staff, local volunteers and a professional instructor, the men are learning lessons in horse management that will lead to certification by the Groom Elite program. We will help the men find jobs in the horse industry upon their release, just as TRF volunteers do for the inmates at our eight other “Second Chances” programs around the country.

It’s heartwarming to see the horses with glossy coats and meat on their bones, grazing in a huge grassy field. And it’s rewarding to see the men learning people skills as well as horse skills. “Trust” is one word they all use as they proudly describe the relationship with their horses. “Love” is another. Rare commodities in a life behind bars.

You can help provide a safe home for life for an ex-racehorse and a second chance at life for an inmate.

All equine-related costs of the program, including the professional training provided through the Groom Elite curriculum, are borne by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. A gift to the TRF will help give a second chance to both inmates and ex-racehorses. This is a win-win for everyone.

Sincerely,

Robin Traywick Williams
Coordinator, Second Chances at James River
A chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

P.S. – For some heartwarming stories about how we are giving inmates and ex-racehorses a second chance at life, go to our local website, www.JamesRiverHorses.org. For more about the TRF’s work nationwide, go to www.TRFinc.org.

To inquire about adopting a horse or to help with the TRF’s Greener Pastures program at James River Work Center, please contact us at StateFarmHorses@AOL.com.
Our mailing address is:

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Second Chances at James River
P. O. Box 112
Crozier, VA 23039

Make a gift to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Greener Pastures at JRWC is a TRF “Second Chances” program. The TRF is registered as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. A copy of the Foundation’s latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the organization or from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271