When Recovery Is Possible, We Make It Our Mission

The HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF) exists to provide a safety net when a racehorse suffers a catastrophic but treatable injury.

HERF exists for one reason: when recovery is possible, finances or complicated logistics should never decide a horse’s fate.

Created in furtherance of HISA’s mission to protect the health and safety of horses and riders, HERF addresses a critical gap in equine welfare: promising injuries that go untreated due to financial or logistical constraints.

HERF is an independent 501(c)(3), operated separately from HISA and governed by a fully independent Board of Directors.

What your support makes possible

HERF provides financial and logistical support to ensure injured Thoroughbred racehorses can receive:

Timely veterinary treatment, including surgery when appropriate
Structured rehabilitation following treatment
Structured rehabilitation following treatment

Our focus is on injuries with strong recovery outcomes, such as condylar fractures and slab fractures, particularly at less well-resourced racetracks.

Every horse supported by HERF enters treatment with a clear plan for rehabilitation and long-term placement.

How decisions are made

HERF is designed for rapid, on-track decision-making when time matters most.

Eligibility is determined by a three-person veterinary committee consisting of:

A Regulatory Veterinarian
An Attending Veterinarian
A Consulting Surgeon

This group evaluates whether the horse is a suitable candidate for treatment with a promising long-term prognosis.

A formal Standard Operating Procedure is under development, and HERF is actively building partnerships with leading equine surgeons, transport providers and veterinary hospitals to ensure speed, consistency and accountability.

Pilot program

HERF will launch its pilot program in the Mid-Atlantic region, focusing on rapid access to surgical care, rehabilitation and long-term placement for qualifying race-day injuries.

The Need

Fundraising has just begun and the need is there. This safety net will allow us to support injured horses when no other option exists. As HERF expands to include training injuries and advanced diagnostic tools for injury prevention, funding needs will grow.

Governance & Oversight

HERF is led by an independent Board of Directors and advised by a nationally respected Advisory Council of veterinarians, industry leaders and aftercare experts.

This structure ensures: - Independent decision-making - Veterinary-led case review - Transparency and accountability in the use of donor funds.