Our Spotlight Equine Charity this month is:

CANTER

http://canterusa.org

Through its website, CANTER provides the means for the public to view Thoroughbred horses that are ending their racing careers and are available for purchase or adoption at racetracks in six states.  CANTER volunteers walk the shedrows of the racetracks taking listings and photographs for posting to the website. At most of our affiliates, the trainers may donate or sell their horse to CANTER, and the organization will find approved non-race homes for their horses.

CANTER is unique in that it was conceived, developed and implemented by the racing industry itself.  Jo Anne and her husband had raced their two home-bred Thoroughbreds and successfully transitioned their most recently retired horse to the sport of eventing.  During this racing period, Jo Anne served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association (which organization represents Michigan's 1,200 Thoroughbred racing trainers and owners).  She founded the program in 1997 after repeated requests from racing trainers for help in finding non-race buyers for their horses.

**The horse pictured is CANTER Pennsylvania-listed To The Highest Bid. Please click on his pick to see her ad on the CANTER Pennsylvania site or read below:

To The Highest Bid (Heidi) -- gray mare, 16.1 hands, 3 years old. A big, tall gal with a nice, deep shoulder. She has a very pretty delicate Arab-type face. Current trainer claimed her and gave her three months off in the hopes she would show more speed. But Heidi decided she liked the pasture life much better. She is a nice, big, young horse who is ready to begin a new job. She is completely sound with no issues. For information, call Jerry at 717-443-7765.

For more information on the CANTER program, telephone 734-455-0639 or e-mail buyhorses@canterusa.org.