The following question is from Rick Bowman, a former owner and breeder.Q: Does HISA work with or support the farms that provide retirement homes? If so, in what way? And if not, is this something that you are planning to do in the future? A: From HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus.Aftercare plays a vital role in helping Thoroughbred racehorses thrive long after their racing careers end. Although HISA does not regulate horses before or after their racing careers, we remain committed to advocating for aftercare initiatives that honor and care for the horses that have given so much to the sport.Earlier this year, HISA launched the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing or training. HERF provides immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to support successful retirement. Although the Foundation initially aimed to take in 15 horses during its first year, as of October 16, it has already accepted 33 horses, underscoring the significant need across the industry.As part of HERF's efforts to provide retired racehorses with a second chance, it launched the “Empty Stall Challenge,” which works directly with farms to use unoccupied stalls to accommodate HERF horses during their rehabilitation. Farms that have welcomed HERF horses so far include Brandywine Farm (Paris, KY), Colts Neck Stables (Colts Neck, NJ), Godolphin (Lexington, KY), Denali Stud (Paris, KY), Machmer Hall Farm (Paris, KY), Margeaux Farm (Midway, KY) and Ross Haven Farm (Sturbridge, MA).Once HERF horses have fully rehabilitated, HERF works to find them a permanent retirement home. There are currently six horses at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption in Lexington, Kentucky, one at Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers in Oxford, Pennsylvania and two horses shipping to Canter, Michigan later this week to be re-trained and re-homed. Two horses that were not suitable for riding careers were retired to a sanctuary farm in Virginia where they can live out their lives peacefully. If any reader would like to adopt a HERF sanctuary horse or knows of available sanctuary space, please contact info@equinerecovery.org.To learn more about or donate to HERF, visit equinerecovery.org/.The post Ask HISA: Aftercare Support appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.