rescue. adopt. board. love.

(click above link for more information)

Feel free to call to visit....and don't forget some treats for the horses!!

Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, we are rescue operation involved in rehabilitating Thoroughbred racehorses which have been injured, can no longer race, or do not have the will to race at the track, that are well and sound enough to be placed and retrained for another occupations. Our goal is to adopt these horses into loving and forever homes to avoid their fates at an auction or slaughterhouse. We also offer the option of a full retirement facility for those owners who wish for their horses to not be rehomed and just have a place to live out the life that they deserve. 

    THIS WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

SO PLEASE PARDON OUR DUST

Message from Founding Director, Vicki L. Vichek..           

I’ve always loved horses from the day I learned to speak, maybe beforehand. They have always been an extremely important part of my life, and many times, I think they saved me just as much as I saved them. I’m asking you to join in assisting me to make my lifelong dream blossom into something much bigger than what it’s starting out to be. Partnering with my husband, Joe, and my assistant “trainer/daughter” Gaby, I have created not only a safe haven for these animals, but something that is mutually beneficial to all involved.

The Thoroughbred Connection is here to stand in the gap for many deserving athletes that have given their all when asked in their performances at the racetrack and aid them in their transitioning from hard work to a life of a new discipline or total retirement. 

So far, since our beginning in June, 2011, we, in that month alone, have taken in 11 horses, several have found new homes, several have retired, and 3 more are seeking permanent adoptive homes.

It can cost from $150 to $225 a month just to support a horse with grain, hay and bedding. This does not include farrier and veterinary care. We have turned away some horses due to lack of stall space or funding to keep them maintained. We generally operate with horses that are owner surrendered. Many still are racing sound, but due to owners being responsible, they decide to stop pushing them until they are unusable and let someone enjoy them while they are young. All are sound and ready to retrain. Funding is what is holding back the organization to flourish and be able to help more horses to avoid them becoming unwanted and ending up at a slaughterhouse.

The horse pictured above, Cracked Cup, actually came in way before The Thoroughbred Connection came into view. Crackers was passed from the track to a home to a rescue, thru several foster homes, and through the assistance of two other rescues, I volunteered to take him. He is now 22 yrs old and is ridden by my 3 yr old daughter. That’s what love, understanding, patience and the sense of him knowing he was here “forever” brings.

Many other horses will perish without organizations like this and without donations to help it flourish. We are seeking sponsorship for these athletes during their transitions and retraining and placement in adoptable homes permanently. Sponsorships can be paid on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. We are a non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible. Our 501c3 status is pending so that we will be able to obtain federal funding grants from organizations such as CARMA based in California.

We are very excited to embark on this journey. As owners contact us, the need for foster facilities, volunteers and most importantly funding are increasing dramatically. We are blessed to have an awesome vet and farrier on call at all times. 

We hope you will make a gift to The Thoroughbred Connection right now. Your generous support in any amount to the “horses” which can be sent to us in the returned envelope is greatly appreciated. 

We look forward to beginning to have some fund raisers and if enough volunteers are rounded up to get things rolling and in order, we would love to have an open house and invite all to see what we have to offer. But don’t wait for the open house; feel free to call to come visit. Don’t forget some treats for the horses!!

On behalf of The Thoroughbred Connection, and all of the horses, WE THANK YOU!!!



Vicki L. Vilchek, Founder/Director

P.S. When you send a gift to The Thoroughbred Connection to further our mission, you are providing funds to feed and shelter horses that are totally dependent on us for day-to-day care. Thank you for making this dream of helping horses come true.

Email:  thetbconnection@gmail.com