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CO T H . CO M | S E P T E M B E R /O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0    89 F or the off-the-track Thoroughbreds sent to the Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare program in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, a timer starts the second they arrive at the 5-acre property. No matter the time a horse may need to rehabilitate from residual effects of track life, CTA founders Kelley Stobie and Dr. Michelle Gagnon-Blodgett have 365 days to mend and rehome them. "We decided, in our first year, that we couldn't keep horses for more than a year due to space and funding," says Stobie, 48. "So basically, if I have a horse that I don't have a home for within a year, I have to euthanize it. We've had some come close, and I'm like, 'OK, tomorrow's the day we've got to euthanize him,' and then all of a sudden, something comes up." Whether rehabilitating local retirees or imports from the United States—which comprise roughly 70 percent of Puerto Rico's racing industry, Stobie says—the CTA has a 20-horse capacity, a bylaw made for their accreditation with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. This January, to offset the influx of horses, the CTA partnered with several TAA programs abroad to reallocate some of the horses they receive. "We have our native breeders, but with the economy and since [Hurricane Maria], a lot of the big breeders went out of business," says Stobie. "We only have about four big breeders now and then a handful of small breeders. "They have to import all these horses because they don't want to lower the race days; they want to keep racing four days a week, and they don't have enough horses to fill the races," Stobie continues. "So they just keep importing them, which is unfortunate because they bring in a lot of older horses." Residing on the foothills of the El Yunque National Forest in Rio Grande, the CTA is five minutes from Hipódromo Camarero, Puerto Rico's lone flat racing track. All horses accepted into its program undergo a complete veterinary evaluation at the track clinic. For those with injuries that require extensive rehabilitation or permanent sanctuary, the CTA reaches out to the horse's former connections. "We're very transparent, very honest about everything we do, and people really trust us," says Stobie. "Most of the horses we have been sent to be euthanized [are] just because the owners want to get rid of them. We'll ask the breeder, 'Can you help?' and 80 percent of the time, they've been super responsive. They'll be like, 'We can't give them a home, but we can fund their trip home,' or, 'We can't give them either, but I want to help the horse. Let's work on it together.' "The best horses are horses that can be rehabbed and go on to do something, of course, but I don't feel that a lot of the horses—just because they can't go out and do something— should just be euthanized," adds Stobie. "I think they should all have a chance. We try and take as many as we can." FROM ENGLAND TO THE ISLANDS Stobie, born in England, was exposed to horses through her mother, Roberta Stobie, a former trainer with the British polo team. The family moved to Ontario when Kelley was 12, and Roberta opened a boarding facility where she continued her passion for working with off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Kelley moved to St. Maarten at 20 and worked with several of Puerto Rico's retired race horses at the riding facility she owned with a then- I think they should all have a chance. We try and take as many as we can." —KELLEY STOBIE

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