Secretariat Center
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The Secretariat Center is dedicated to the reschooling and the advocacy of Thoroughbreds aftercare Volunteers of all ages and talents are welcomed.
By showcasing the value of the ex-racehorse, and highlighting the support that it receives from the racing industry itself, the Secretariat Center seeks to celebrate the good work of all equine rescue and adoption organizations as well as the conscientious behavior of responsible owners. Our sincere hope is to pave the way for synergistic communications and collaborations among all who are concern
06/10/2026
NOISE COMPLAINT�6yo • 16h gelding�By Palace Malice out of Waters Fine by Paynter
RRP eligible this year! Noise Complaint is a lovely, athletic gelding with a rhythmical canter, soft feel in the bridle, and experience jumping small courses. Easy to get along with and willing in his work, he’s the kind of horse that can easily go in any direction.
He would make a fantastic show horse, eventer, dressage horse, or pony club mount. Suitable for a junior moving off a pony, an amateur looking for a quality partner, or a professional wanting an athletic prospect.
Check him out on our website https://www.secretariatcenter.org/dylan
Not an approved adopter? Follow this link for the adoption process https://www.secretariatcenter.org/adoption-process
06/06/2026
🎉 Congratulations to Lisa Hannes on her adoption of Miss Whinnie! 🐴
We are so excited to see everything this special pair will accomplish together, and we can’t wait to follow their journey!
A huge thank you to Miss Whinnie’s donor for your continued support of both our mission and Thoroughbred aftercare!
On this weeks educational series Beyond The Finish Line…Lead Changes! 🐎
One of the most common things people hear about Off-Track Thoroughbreds is:
“They don’t know their lead changes.”
But the reality is — Thoroughbreds DO know lead changes. They simply learn to use them differently on the racetrack than they are asked to in sport horse disciplines.
🏇 ON THE RACETRACK:
Racehorses naturally change leads during training and racing to help balance themselves and reduce fatigue. Most horses travel on the left lead around turns and switch to the right lead in the stretch. These changes are usually automatic and based on speed, balance, and direction — not from the specific rider cues used in disciplines like hunters, jumpers, or dressage.
💡 TRANSITIONING TO A NEW CAREER:
When OTTBs begin retraining, they are learning an entirely new way of carrying themselves. Instead of simply changing leads naturally while running, they are now being asked to respond to rider aids, stay balanced, engage their hind end, and maintain rhythm and straightness.
Many Thoroughbreds already understand the physical act of changing leads — they simply need time to understand the new “language” being asked of them.
As OTTBs build strength, topline, and balance, their lead changes often improve dramatically with consistent flatwork and patient retraining.
💙 IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
A missed lead change does not mean an OTTB is incapable or poorly trained. In many cases, they are simply adjusting from one career to another — and learning how to apply their athleticism in a completely different way beyond the finish line.
What exercises did you use to help your OTTB with their lead changes in their new career? Comment below!⬇️
06/04/2026
ROCK OUR WORLD�3yo • 16h gelding�By Rock Your World out of What A Sassy Gal by Mineshaft
Rock Our World is an extremely sporty young gelding with an in-your-pocket personality and an exciting future ahead of him. An easy keeper with natural athleticism, he’s going to make a seriously nice sport horse.
For someone willing to give him a little additional downtime, he is going to be worth the wait!
Interested in Rocky? Check him out on our website https://www.secretariatcenter.org/rockourworld
Email our equine program director and trainer at [email protected] with any questions!
Not an approved adopter? Become one today https://www.secretariatcenter.org/adoption-process
06/03/2026
Thank you Keeneland for inviting us to be apart of your employee scavenger hunt!
06/02/2026
TYPECASE
4yo • 16.1h mare
By Collected out of Typist by Candy Ride (ARG)
Typecase, or Lily as we call her in the barn, is the kind of mare that quickly becomes everyone’s favorite. Smart, willing, and endlessly fun to ride, she combines a sweet, affectionate personality with all the athleticism you could want in a future sport horse.
Lily is a true people horse and would do just about anything for her person. She’s kind in the barn, gets along well with others in turnout, and approaches new challenges with an eager, game attitude.
Under saddle, Lily is athletic, brave, and absolutely loves to jump. She has the talent, work ethic, and presence to shine in the show ring, and we can easily see her excelling as a hunter, jumper, or all-around sport horse partner.
For someone looking for a talented young mare with a wonderful brain and an even bigger heart, Lily is a very exciting prospect with a bright future ahead.
Interested in Lily? Check her out on our website https://www.secretariatcenter.org/typecase
Email our equine program director and trainer at [email protected] with any questions!
Not an approved adopter? Become one today https://www.secretariatcenter.org/adoption-process
05/29/2026
This week on our educational series Beyond The Finish Line…Thoroughbred Hoof Care 🏇
One of the biggest misconceptions about Off-Track Thoroughbreds is that they will always require special shoeing or extensive hoof care once they leave racing. The truth? Every horse is different — and many Thoroughbreds can successfully transition into sport horse careers barefoot or with minimal shoeing support!
🏇 ON THE RACETRACK:
Racehorses are typically shod with lightweight aluminum plates designed for speed and performance on the track. These shoes are lighter than traditional steel shoes and help maximize efficiency during racing. Because racehorses train and compete at high speeds, their feet are managed very differently than the average riding horse.
🏆 AS A SPORT HORSE:
Once retired from racing, Thoroughbreds often transition into steel shoes, supportive shoeing packages, or even barefoot programs depending on:
• Their workload
• Hoof quality
• Conformation
• Terrain they work on
• Rider goals
Some Thoroughbreds thrive in front shoes only, some need full sets for performance careers, and others become completely barefoot with proper management and conditioning.
HOW TO HELP TOUGHEN & GROW BETTER FEET:
✔ Consistent farrier schedule, typically every 4–6 weeks
✔ Proper nutrition with balanced minerals & biotin support Tribute Equine Nutrition
✔ Daily movement and turnout
✔ Clean, dry living conditions
✔ Gradual conditioning on varied footing
✔ Avoiding excessive moisture changes when possible
💡 IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
Not all Thoroughbreds have “bad feet.”
Many simply need time to transition from the demands of racing into a new career and hoof care routine. With patience, correct nutrition, and proper farrier care, Thoroughbreds can develop strong, healthy feet capable of thriving in many disciplines!
Every Thoroughbred’s journey beyond the finish line is unique — and hoof care is just one piece of helping them succeed in their second careers. 💙
Do you have a favorite product that you use for your horses feet? Comment below and share with us how you keep your horses feet in great shape!
05/28/2026
It’s been a great week here at the Secretariat Center!
🎉Congratulations to Liz and her daughter, Isabela, on their adoption of Wasama! And another congratulations to Caren on her adoption of Strait Rush!🐴🐴
We are very excited for both parties, and can’t wait to see all the wonderful things these horses do in their new homes!
A huge thank you to both Wasama’s and Strait Rush’s donors for entrusting us with these wonderful horses and for your continued support of both our mission and Thoroughbred aftercare.
05/28/2026
MISS WHINNIE�3yo • 15.1h mare�By Hard Spun out of Miss Pleasant by Pleasantly Perfect
RRP eligible this year and next year.
Miss Whinnie has 3 great gaits and she is already proving how smart and lovely she is. Very personable with lovely movement making her already a natural for the show ring.
Because of her size, she could make a fantastic polo horse, but we could also easily see her excelling as a hunter, eventer, or pony club mount. A wonderful prospect for someone in a program looking to bring along a quality young horse.
05/26/2026
WAR FIGHTER�8yo • 16h gelding�By War Front out of Chatham by Maria’s Mon
War Fighter is the kind of horse that turns heads with his quality movement and kind personality. This lightly raced gelding has already started over small courses and has three lovely gaits, including an especially beautiful canter.
Easy to live with, personable, and currently barefoot, he has all the ingredients to develop into a fantastic hunter, jumper, eventer, or pony club partner.
Suitable for an educated junior or amateur working with a trainer, while still sporty enough for a professional looking for a quality prospect.
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4155 Walt Robertson Road
Lexington, KY
40511
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 4pm |
| Friday | 9am - 4pm |