By ELSIE WALKER
Contributing Writer
FREEHOLD — During the week, George Brodey works in Freehold and on the weekends
flies home to Florida. He doesn’t seem to mind the lengthy commute, however, since his
work is his passion: horses. Brodey is executive director of the non-profit Standardbred
Retirement Foundation (SRF).
The organization, 3,700 members and volunteers strong, is filled with like-minded
people who deeply care about horses. The SRF adopts out Standardbreds, a cross
between the Thoroughbred and the Morgan. These horses are used for harness racing
but when their careers are done, they can fall by the wayside. The SRF is helping many
find new “careers,” new lives and love, adopted as riding horses or pasture pals. Those
that can not be adopted because of age or condition, live out their days in dignity on one
of the foundation’s foster farms.
The SRF was created in 1989 by Mrs. Judith Bokman, wife of a prominent equine
practitioner in New Jersey, Dr. Stephen Bokman. When realizing what was happening to
the Standardbreds that could no longer be competitive as racehorses, she contacted
Mrs. Paula Campbell, wife of Hall of Fame Standardbred Driver John Campbell, who also
realized the need and joined in the development of the SRF.
In its 16 years, the foundation has adopted out almost 2,000 horses.A successful
Florida businessman and horseman (he has owned Standardbreds since the early
1970s and has horses presently racing at Pompano Park), Brodey came on board last
summer to help the organization administratively and to help with a major project:
centralizing its facilities. Currently, horses are kept on foster farms, which receive a
monthly fee for their care.
SRF has foster farms in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Georgia, Oregon and North Carolina. The organization wants to acquire a large farm so
that the horses can live in one place. Brodey is working on getting such a location.
Brodey said that the horses coming to the foundation fall into three categories. There are
those that merely have to be taught to be ridden and are ready for adoption. Some come
to the foundation and by week’s end can be ridden. Others need rehabilitation and may
take up to six months to be ready to be ridden. “Standardbreds are more docile than
Thoroughbreds, they are easy to teach to be riders,” said Brodey.
The last group are those horses that are not able to be ridden at all but can be “pasture
pals.” Horses like to be with other horses and so a horse could be adopted to join an
existing one.
“We’re not a rescue agency, we’re an adoption agency. We follow the horses until they
die,” Brodey emphasized.
Brodey said this extensive follow-through is what separates his organization from other
animal adoption groups. Others may lose contact with the animal once it is adopted but
the SRF follows a horse and keeps up on it even after it is adopted. In some cases, if it is
believed that the horse is not being cared for as promised, foundation volunteers may
make an on-site visit. If found that the horse is not being cared for properly and the
adoption agreement broken, the foundation will take back the horse.
“We are very particular about our horses,” said Brodey.
He noted there are 18 forms that must be completed and a number of checks that must
be done before a prospective adopter can be pre-qualified for a horse. For example,
there’s a reference check, such as those from the prospective adopter’s small animal
veterinarian. The foundation also needs to see a picture of what the fencing and paddock
looks like where the horse will live. If the horse is to be boarded at a facility, things have
to be set up so that a lien can not be put against the horse if the owner doesn’t pay the
bill. The SRF does not want the horse sold off somewhere where it might be injured. The
horse, if no longer wanted or if the owner can no longer afford to keep it, returns to the
foundation. An adoption fee is charged for each horse.
The foundation is financially assisted in its work through membership fees, fundraisers
(a May charity golf tournament was held at the Knob Hill Country Club for example), and
donations of money, goods and services. Membership fees vary from $25 for the basic
“Starting Gate” membership through the “Benefactor” membership at $5,000.
Equine pharmaceutical companies donate dated drugs and medicine to the SRF.
Although not able to be sold because of the date, the drugs are still useable. Individuals
also donate supplies for the care of the horses. Many vets and farriers work pro bono for
the SRF. Others charge reduced rates for their services. Dr. Stephen Bokman, husband
of the foundation’s co-founder, also volunteers his services.
There are sponsorship programs where money can be donated to sponsor a horse.
Also, when new horses come into the program, the surrendering owners are asked to
pay for transportation and sponsorship until the horse is adopted. Other foundations and
employee-sponsored giving programs contribute to the SRF on an annual basis.
Therapeutic Programs
The Standardbred Retirement Foundation not only adopts out and cares for horses, it
also understands the therapeutic effects of being around horses. The foundation offers
programs for at-risk and physically and emotionally challenged children.
Brodey noted that horses are non-judgmental and respond to kindness. These are
qualities that help horses to make a difference in the lives of children and youth through
therapeutic equine programs offered by the foundation.
“Put a kid on a horse and that kid will be happy, I guarantee it,” said Brodey.
Using helmets and special saddles that harness them in, one program lets children with
a range of problems (physical and emotional) experience riding horses and interacting
with them.
Brodey has seen the joy that the horses give to these children. As the father of a special
child, he’s knows first hand the difference being with a horse can make. “That’s worth a
million dollars,” he said.
There are after-school and summer programs for “youth at risk.” Working with schools,
at-risk youth that would benefit most from the horse program are identified. Two are
assigned to care for one horse, and with guidance, prepare it for adoption. Through this
experience, the youth learn about leadership, friendship and responsibility.
Through Project Redirect, youth who have been ordered to work community service, do it
at the foundation. Through their experience, they learn responsibility and respect.
The newest program involves youth in the New Jersey Juvenile Justice System. This
program will use horses provided by the SRF to teach social skills required by the youth
to re-enter society.
Looking to the future, once it has a permanent, centralized home, the SRF wants to start
a vocational training program for those youths that would like to work toward a career in
the horse industry.
For more information about the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, visit www.
adoptahorse.org, e-mail srfmail@bellatlantic.net, write to Standardbred Retirement
Foundation, 49 East Main Street, Freehold, N.J. 07727 or call (727) 462-8773.
Contributing Writer
FREEHOLD — During the week, George Brodey works in Freehold and on the weekends
flies home to Florida. He doesn’t seem to mind the lengthy commute, however, since his
work is his passion: horses. Brodey is executive director of the non-profit Standardbred
Retirement Foundation (SRF).
The organization, 3,700 members and volunteers strong, is filled with like-minded
people who deeply care about horses. The SRF adopts out Standardbreds, a cross
between the Thoroughbred and the Morgan. These horses are used for harness racing
but when their careers are done, they can fall by the wayside. The SRF is helping many
find new “careers,” new lives and love, adopted as riding horses or pasture pals. Those
that can not be adopted because of age or condition, live out their days in dignity on one
of the foundation’s foster farms.
The SRF was created in 1989 by Mrs. Judith Bokman, wife of a prominent equine
practitioner in New Jersey, Dr. Stephen Bokman. When realizing what was happening to
the Standardbreds that could no longer be competitive as racehorses, she contacted
Mrs. Paula Campbell, wife of Hall of Fame Standardbred Driver John Campbell, who also
realized the need and joined in the development of the SRF.
In its 16 years, the foundation has adopted out almost 2,000 horses.A successful
Florida businessman and horseman (he has owned Standardbreds since the early
1970s and has horses presently racing at Pompano Park), Brodey came on board last
summer to help the organization administratively and to help with a major project:
centralizing its facilities. Currently, horses are kept on foster farms, which receive a
monthly fee for their care.
SRF has foster farms in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Georgia, Oregon and North Carolina. The organization wants to acquire a large farm so
that the horses can live in one place. Brodey is working on getting such a location.
Brodey said that the horses coming to the foundation fall into three categories. There are
those that merely have to be taught to be ridden and are ready for adoption. Some come
to the foundation and by week’s end can be ridden. Others need rehabilitation and may
take up to six months to be ready to be ridden. “Standardbreds are more docile than
Thoroughbreds, they are easy to teach to be riders,” said Brodey.
The last group are those horses that are not able to be ridden at all but can be “pasture
pals.” Horses like to be with other horses and so a horse could be adopted to join an
existing one.
“We’re not a rescue agency, we’re an adoption agency. We follow the horses until they
die,” Brodey emphasized.
Brodey said this extensive follow-through is what separates his organization from other
animal adoption groups. Others may lose contact with the animal once it is adopted but
the SRF follows a horse and keeps up on it even after it is adopted. In some cases, if it is
believed that the horse is not being cared for as promised, foundation volunteers may
make an on-site visit. If found that the horse is not being cared for properly and the
adoption agreement broken, the foundation will take back the horse.
“We are very particular about our horses,” said Brodey.
He noted there are 18 forms that must be completed and a number of checks that must
be done before a prospective adopter can be pre-qualified for a horse. For example,
there’s a reference check, such as those from the prospective adopter’s small animal
veterinarian. The foundation also needs to see a picture of what the fencing and paddock
looks like where the horse will live. If the horse is to be boarded at a facility, things have
to be set up so that a lien can not be put against the horse if the owner doesn’t pay the
bill. The SRF does not want the horse sold off somewhere where it might be injured. The
horse, if no longer wanted or if the owner can no longer afford to keep it, returns to the
foundation. An adoption fee is charged for each horse.
The foundation is financially assisted in its work through membership fees, fundraisers
(a May charity golf tournament was held at the Knob Hill Country Club for example), and
donations of money, goods and services. Membership fees vary from $25 for the basic
“Starting Gate” membership through the “Benefactor” membership at $5,000.
Equine pharmaceutical companies donate dated drugs and medicine to the SRF.
Although not able to be sold because of the date, the drugs are still useable. Individuals
also donate supplies for the care of the horses. Many vets and farriers work pro bono for
the SRF. Others charge reduced rates for their services. Dr. Stephen Bokman, husband
of the foundation’s co-founder, also volunteers his services.
There are sponsorship programs where money can be donated to sponsor a horse.
Also, when new horses come into the program, the surrendering owners are asked to
pay for transportation and sponsorship until the horse is adopted. Other foundations and
employee-sponsored giving programs contribute to the SRF on an annual basis.
Therapeutic Programs
The Standardbred Retirement Foundation not only adopts out and cares for horses, it
also understands the therapeutic effects of being around horses. The foundation offers
programs for at-risk and physically and emotionally challenged children.
Brodey noted that horses are non-judgmental and respond to kindness. These are
qualities that help horses to make a difference in the lives of children and youth through
therapeutic equine programs offered by the foundation.
“Put a kid on a horse and that kid will be happy, I guarantee it,” said Brodey.
Using helmets and special saddles that harness them in, one program lets children with
a range of problems (physical and emotional) experience riding horses and interacting
with them.
Brodey has seen the joy that the horses give to these children. As the father of a special
child, he’s knows first hand the difference being with a horse can make. “That’s worth a
million dollars,” he said.
There are after-school and summer programs for “youth at risk.” Working with schools,
at-risk youth that would benefit most from the horse program are identified. Two are
assigned to care for one horse, and with guidance, prepare it for adoption. Through this
experience, the youth learn about leadership, friendship and responsibility.
Through Project Redirect, youth who have been ordered to work community service, do it
at the foundation. Through their experience, they learn responsibility and respect.
The newest program involves youth in the New Jersey Juvenile Justice System. This
program will use horses provided by the SRF to teach social skills required by the youth
to re-enter society.
Looking to the future, once it has a permanent, centralized home, the SRF wants to start
a vocational training program for those youths that would like to work toward a career in
the horse industry.
For more information about the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, visit www.
adoptahorse.org, e-mail srfmail@bellatlantic.net, write to Standardbred Retirement
Foundation, 49 East Main Street, Freehold, N.J. 07727 or call (727) 462-8773.
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