We believe racehorses deserve the best possible care on and off track. Thoroughbreds are athletic animals and thrive in many other equestrian disciplines and as pleasure horses. California racing supports accredited retirement and aftercare programs and offers many options for safe racehorse retirement.

Since its founding in 2007, California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) ensures racehorses have retirement and retraining opportunities by supporting organizations that place and retrain Thoroughbreds who raced at California racetracks. It also facilitates racehorses transitioning off the racetrack through its placement program, which serves Thoroughbred owners by connecting retiring racehorses with facilities where horses can adjust to life off the track before they move on to an aftercare organization for rehabilitation, retraining, or a permanent placement.

 CARMA, a 501(c)(3) program, is funded by donations and a voluntary 0.03% deduction in winning purses implemented by the CHRB in 2008. More than 80% of California Thoroughbred owners willingly support racehorse retirement through the purse deduction. CARMA has granted more than $4 million since 2008 to qualified retirement organizations caring for Thoroughbreds, and CARMA partners with more than 20 non-profit facilities for racehorse retirement and aftercare.

 CARMA is yet another way that California leads the racing industry: The organization was one of the inspirations that led to the formation of the national Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, an industry-wide initiative to accredit aftercare facilities and fund approved retirement organizations.

To learn more about the CARMA placement program, CARMA partners, or adopting a Thoroughbred, visit the CARMA website.

Find a full list of accredited aftercare facilities around the country on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance website.