An experienced instructor and rider, Katrina Hutto sought Thoroughbreds that would make excellent hunter/jumpers and lesson horses. She knew that adopting a retired Thoroughbred was a great way to get a horse without considerable cost.

Hutto learned about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at Seabiscuit Stables on the grounds of Wateree Correctional Facility (SCTRF) through a feature in Camden Magazine. Already having adopted retired thoroughbreds; Hutto was intrigued by the program.

“Knowing that if a horse wasn’t the right fit, we could bring him back and he would continue to be cared for made the decision to adopt from SCTRF very simple. And it’s free!” Hutto says.

Upon arriving at Seabiscuit Stables, Kip Elser and Hutto discussed the features she was looking for in a Thoroughbred. The duo then toured the stables, meeting the horses that would best suit Hutto’s needs. The men at Wateree, who were very knowledgeable of each horses handling and temperament, also took the horses she was most interested in out to canter to show her how they handled.

“I was most surprised at how well mannered and well kept the horses were at Wateree,” Hutto recalls. “The horses are used to being handled each day and as a result I was able to immediately start working them.”

She chose four horses based appearance, temperament, and conformation and signed the adoption paperwork. The next day, Hutto returned to bring Siren Sarah, Active Thunder, Glory to the Sea and Annie Pokely back to Tally Ho Equestrian Center.

While Hutto kept three of the four thoroughbreds she adopted, Siren Sarah, Active Thunder and Glory to the Sea, she says that SCTRF enabled her to get a really great horse with very little cost.

All the horses adjusted to their new home very well and have gotten darker in coloring as well as fattened and muscled up.

She believes that Siren Sarah had been trained in dressage either during or prior to her time as a racehorse. Recently, Siren Sarah participated` the three-foot fence competition of a regional hunter/jumper competition. She will continue to train and compete with trainer, Megan Sills.

Hutto describes her other two adopted horses, Active Thunder & Glory of the Sea, as very laid back horses who are excellent members of her lesson program. Both horses stick to easy flat ground work and will be used for pleasure riding and lessons.

“In the past, I have adopted retired racehorses that were wild and not well cared for. SCTRF ensures that all the horses are healthy and happy until they can find adoptees,” Hutto says of the program. “Even more, the inmates who care for each horse learn a valuable trade.”