Frequently Asked Questions

What is HERF's primary mission? Why is HERF necessary?

HERF was created to fill a gap in the existing equine welfare system where horses that suffer career-ending, but not necessarily fatal injuries are being euthanized for economic or logistical reasons. HERF's primary mission is to provide funding and logistical support for these horses so that they can get the medical treatment that they need to recover from their injuries, and then either be retrained and re-homed for a second non-racing career, or be able to live out the rest of their natural lives in a sanctuary if they're not physically capable of a second career.

What are the criteria for a horse to be eligible for HERF assistance?

A horse must suffer an injury that is sufficiently serious to prevent the horse from racing again, but not so serious as to be fatal or to require euthanasia as the most humane outcome for the horse. HERF's "North Star" is and always will be: Is it in the best interests of the horse? This question will be answered by the best available Board-certified veterinary experts. The key medical question that must be answered in the affirmative for a horse to be accepted into the HERF program is: Would appropriate medical treatment give this horse a high probability of achieving pain-free pasture soundness without the need for ongoing long-term veterinary care?

Can horses entering the HERF program ever go back to racing?

No. In order to be eligible for HERF assistance, ownership of the horse must be signed over to HERF, and HERF will always immediately retire the horse from racing and withdraw the horse from all relevant racing databases, including HISA and The Jockey Club records.

What racetracks does HERF cover?

In April 2026, HERF launched a formal pilot program covering the tracks then racing in the Mid-Atlantic region, Laurel Park, PARX and Penn National, as well as Ohio, Mahoning Valley and Thistledown, and Arkansas, Oaklawn. In May, Delaware Park, Monmouth Park, Presque Isle Downs, and Belterra Park will be added when they begin racing. HERF will attempt as quickly as feasible to roll out its program nationally to all racetracks operating under HISA's rules that do not presently have comparable racetrack or state-sponsored programs. In the interim, if HERF can help a horse at a track where HERF has not yet begun formal operations, then HERF will do so. As of April 15, 2026, before the official launch and any publicity, HERF has taken in 7 horses who are all now rehabbing.

Does HERF address horses that are injured both in racing and in training?

Yes, but because of logistical constraints, the most important one being the lack of the guaranteed physical presence of a Regulatory Veterinarian during training, HERF will need to be more passive and to rely on the connections of a particular horse, such as the owner, trainer, or attending veterinarian, to inform HERF when that horse suffers an injury during training.

I'm responsible for a horse, either as an owner, trainer or vet, and my horse suffers a serious injury during racing or training. I'd like to explore HERF assistance rather than euthanizing my horse. What do I do?

HERF will have an official liaison at each track where HERF has begun formal operations. Each HERF liaison and contact information will be listed on HERF's website. Please contact the HERF liaison for your track as soon as possible after your horse sustains the injury. If you can't reach the HERF liaison or if HERF does not yet have a liaison at your track, please contact HERF's Executive Director Mandy Minger at 917-846-8804 or mandy.minger@equinerecovery.org.

How quickly will you tell me if my horse has been accepted into the HERF program?

We know that in these situations the best interests of the horse mandate that time is of the essence, and our goal is to get the necessary medical evaluations done as quickly as possible, ideally within a few hours, of being informed of a horse's injury. The highest priority is first to manage the horse's pain. Appropriate diagnostics, especially radiographs, are critical to making the most accurate possible decision about what course of action is in the best interests of the horse. If the owner or responsible party does not want or is unable to pay for the necessary diagnostics, then HERF will do so without putting any additional obligations on the owner. If, however, after the necessary diagnostics, the responsible veterinary experts conclude that the horse's injury is one where HERF assistance would be in the best interests of the horse, then the owner must sign ownership of the horse over to HERF for the horse to be accepted into the HERF program, and HERF will take full financial and operational responsibility for the horse from that point forward.

What if the horse doesn't recover as expected from the initial injury?

Secondary complications can always occur, and a given horse's prognosis can always be downgraded. HERF has outstanding surgeons and veterinarians consulting and a decision, including possible humane euthanasia, will always be made based on what is in the best interest of the horse.

What happens to a horse after it recovers from its initial injury?

When HERF takes ownership of a horse, it assumes responsibility for that horse for the remainder of its natural life. After a horse finishes recovery and rehab, it will be placed by HERF into a retirement home that is most appropriate for that particular horse. Horses that have the physical capabilities to go on to second careers will be sent to facilities where they can be retrained and re-homed. Horses that are pasture-sound only will be sent to pure sanctuaries.

How is HERF funded?

HERF is funded 100% by voluntary charitable donations from individuals and organizations.

I can't make a cash contribution, but I still want to help. What can I do?

We greatly appreciate that many individuals and organizations are donating in-kind products and services. These donations are critical to HERF being able to help as many horses as possible while keeping our cash fundraising goals realistic and achievable. Please contact info@equinerecovery.org if you can provide any product or service that HERF might need to execute its mission. We're in the process of building our network of medical resources, including equine hospitals and surgical centers, Board-certified surgeons and veterinary experts, and we'd love to speak with you if you're available and willing to get involved with our program. We also welcome people with private farms who have both the space and the expertise to accept and care for sanctuary horses who are pasture-sound but physically incapable of going on to second careers and simply need a place to live out their lives.

Why does HERF give horses nicknames rather than use their registered Jockey Club names?

All HERF horses are assigned nicknames to keep the identities of their owners and trainers strictly confidential unless the owner and trainer voluntarily consent, in their sole discretion, to having their identities disclosed. The goal is simply to help horses in need. HERF believes that this goal is best achieved if it protects the connections of any horse from potential criticism for possibly being willing to euthanize a horse.