Article from The Throughbred Voice on New Stride

(Aly is one of New Stride's success stories. Click here to see more information on Aly!)

It is recognized that a retirement foundation is necessary for all racetracks in North America. There are so many Thoroughbreds can be retrained and find wonderful homes once they have finished racing. Michelle Rushinko wrote the following letter about Aly (registered Name Alysheeba's Pride):

After not owning or riding a horse for about 11 years, in November 2004 I decided it was time to start riding again and I began looking for a horse to buy. Someone had told me about New Stride and how they took ex-race horses from the track and adopted them out to give them, a second chance. I phoned New Stride and asked if they had any horses available and the lady asked me what I would be doing with the horse. I told her that I wanted a horse just to pleasure/trail ride, one that could just be a pet and that I could really bond with. She said "you have to meet Aly". He loves people and really needs something to do. So I went out to see him and it was love at first sight. She told me that he hasn't been ridden since he left the track. I asked if I could get on him and when I did I felt so comfortable. The next thing you know I was writing her a cheque and moved him to a new home.

There was only ever one time that I thought to myself "What am I getting myself into…I just bought myself a 5 year old Thoroughbred off the track for trail riding…but that thought only lasted for a few moments. Before I knew it I was walking Aly down the road, riding him bareback and riding him through the trails.

Aly has been an amazing horse, we have a better relationship than I could have ever imagined. In March 2005 I began doing Parelli natural horsemanship with him and the improvement has been amazing, now we are riding through Campbell Valley Park bareback in a rope halter and reins. NO BIT. He ground ties, he accepts being sprayed with fly spray (he used to be terrified of spray bottles) he follows me around at liberty anywhere I go and he always knickers when he sees me which tells me he feels the same way I do about him.

I feel very blessed to have Aly as my horse and I wouldn't trade him for any horse in the world. I feel as though he is mine for a reason and I will always make sure he has the best life possible.

Thanks to New Stride for what they are doing in giving race horses a second chance at a better life.

Michelle Rushinko
Langley, B.C.

To see horses currently available for adoption, please visit our Horses for Adoption page!

---