- Thoroughbred Gelding – Born 2014
- Entry Date: 2/18/26
- Retired by Owner
Phil is an “off the track” Thoroughbred who raced for many years in Pennsylvania. He tore several tendons in his right front leg in a race and was retired from racing after winning many of the races he ran.
In 2019 he was rescued through an organization called “Canter USA.” After one year his leg healed and Phil was ridden on trails occasionally until he was moved again to Arizona in 2021 and put into training with a local trainer. It did not go well. He started bolting regularly. His owner received a few concussions and had to be hospitalized. He was in horsemanship programs, etc., but they could not figure out what the problem was. He was then sent to a cowboy in Bend, OR in early 2022 and seemed to be doing OK.
His owner moved back to Oregon later in 2023. The first day she tried riding Phil again he bolted and she was thrown into a wall, breaking her pelvis.
Relocating to Pennsylvania, his owner moved Phil from the farm to a boarding facility, but Phil did not seem happy and was very stressed. The decision was made to permanently retire Phil at the Equamore Sanctuary.
Approximately 80% to 90% of Thoroughbreds retiring from racing or currently in training suffer from gastric ulcers. While actively racing, up to 100% of Thoroughbreds may develop them, and even after leaving the track, high-stress factors such as stall confinement, relocation to new environments, different training methods, changes in diet, and more can keep the incidence rate extremely high. Riding a horse with ulcers can be extremely painful for them and often their behavior under saddle and the weight of a rider is very much like Phil’s behavior when he was in training.
Phil is Fully Sponsored!
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Here is how you can help:
- Join an already established rescue team with a monthly contribution level that is comfortable for you.
- Become a “Team Captain” by collectively organizing your friends and relatives to join you in sponsoring one
of Equamore’s residents. - Pledge $450 monthly to fully support an equine of your choice.
If you would like to join this crucial program, please contact us for more information.
