Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/16/2015 -- Friends of Ferdinand Inc. received a grant from the ASCPA Equine Fund to support horses coming into our re-training and adoption program. We feel that the first step in placing our horses successfully into their next career is a thorough intake exam that assesses their physical and mental well-being, identifies any injuries, includes a dental exam and brings the horses vaccination status current. This grant directly impacted four horses in Indiana (Big Blue Country, Dot, Sunday Pursuit and West El) in their first few days of their new life.

Big Blue Country was retired as a lightly raced 3-year-old. Big Blue Country stayed at Horse and Hound Veterinary Clinic for the first three days of his new life. During this time we observed him to be very level-headed with an excellent disposition. His intake exam found nothing remarkable, and the veterinarian cleared him for any discipline. Big Blue Country has since been adopted and will be slowly brought along in the eventing sport.

West Ely was never raced, but was in-training from the racetrack. His owner/trainer identified that he would never make a racehorse, and retired him to Friends of Ferdinand Inc. We suspect that Ely had likely lived relatively untouched until such time as he went into training to be a racehorse. ASPCA provided his intake exam, complete with X-rays and we identified that his biggest need is life experiences. Since then, Ely has been living at our re-training farm in Dayton, Ohio and worked with and fussed with daily. All of this special attention has paid off as Ely is now ready to have his list of potential adopters visit him and we think that soon he will have a home trail riding/pleasure horse.

Dot came to Friends of Ferdinand as a two year-old that just was not going to make it as a racehorse. She spent her first few days in the Friends of Ferdinand Inc program at the vet clinic, under evaluation. Her ASPCA provided intake exam found her to be a well-handled youngster, sound with unlimited potential. She is a typical 3 year-old filly that is growing into her legs and testing her boundaries. Dot is available for adoption.

The 2014 Thoroughbred race meet was over and Sunday Pursuits owners were not sure what to do with him. They felt it was time to retire him from racing and he was considered a family pet. His owners spent much time "interviewing" Friends of Ferdinand Inc before choosing us to help their horse find his next career. Sunday Pursuit arrived at Horse and Hound Veterinary Clinic for his ASPCA provided intake exam. The vet recommended that Sunday have several months off and he has recently started re-training and will be available soon. Sunday is approved for any discipline that he chooses to excel.