Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: CANTER California

Every Friday, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we recognize CANTER California, which recently lost a barn to fire.

Photo courtesy of CANTER California

The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses, or CANTER, to date has rehomed more than 25,000 Thoroughbreds coming off of various tracks all over the country through state-level affiliate programs. This networking approach allows more coordinators to work face-to-face on tracks in 18 states or regions; individual affiliates offer a variety of services from simple network listings to help buyers interface with track connections, all the way to rehabilitation, retraining and adoption to qualified homes.

The California affiliate of CANTER was launched in 2008, and currently serves the Pleasanton and Golden Gate Fields racetracks with plans to expand to Southern California tracks in the future. CANTER California works out of four facilities to rehabilitate, retrain and adopt out retiring horses.

Earlier this week, a barn in Davis where CANTER California boards some of its horses caught fire. Unrelated to the wildfires currently raging in the southern and northern parts of the state, the fire was nonetheless tragic — but fortunately, due to the quick thinking and action of another boarder, none of the horses including the CANTER horses were harmed, and with fast action from first responders, the fire was contained to only the one barn and did not spread across the property.

Photo courtesy of CANTER California

Unfortunately, a beautiful and historic barn was lost, and CANTER’s supplies were lost as well, including grain, winter blankets, buckets, grooming supplies and more.

CANTER California has requested donation of the following items:

• Light and midweight blankets size 75-82 (stable or turnout)
• Muck buckets
• Gastroguard
• Tack storage bins
• Grain (senior and beet pulp) and grain storage bins
• Grooming equipment

Items can be shipped to CANTER California, Attn: Jody Imel, 1627 Santa Rosa St. Davis 95616 (if desired, please include your information and email for a donation receipt). Cash donations are also appreciated!

CANTER California has announced that any extra donations will be passed on to wildfire relief organizations to help those horses in need.

Learn more about CANTER California at the affiliate’s website, and follow on Facebook for more information!

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.