Brook Hill Retirement Center- An Aftercare Ally

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Jo Anne Miller, Executive Director of Brook Hill Retirement. This aftercare program is a testament to the power of horses and humans working together. Read on to learn more about this organization.

Where is Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses based?

Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses is located in Bedford County, Virginia, in the foothills of the mountains.

How did your program begin?

Our veterinarian, Dr. Ron Fessler, worked at the racetrack many years ago. He was a lameness expert, who came to Virginia and set up practice. We were friends, and I became an assistant to help pay my horses’ bills. My husband and I bought a 60-acre property and needed one grazing animal for every five acres to be considered a farm. Dr. Fessler offered to bring horses that were in need to our farm. That got the count up quickly!  Most of these horses had lameness issues. 

With time, the number of horses increased to 40. Having a background as a behavioral specialist, I started a program to bring at-risk students to the farm.  These kids have a lot in common with the horses. These kids were failing in school. For both the horses and kids, they get a fresh start. 

What happens when a horse is accepted into your program?

We take in horses of all breeds, including Thoroughbreds. If someone wants to donate a horse, they complete an application, which is presented to a committee. The ones that come off the track get a few months to let down. Then they enter the program with the students. The students pair with horses and bring the horse (and themselves) along. There are counselors, behavioral specialists, and horse trainers here to assist. As part of the program, the kids have to complete their schoolwork in order to work with the horses.

What makes BHRC unique?

Both the horses and kids learn new job paths. Many of the horses are on their second or third career and are 15 to 20 years old. They still need a job. We consider ourselves a retirement center; they retire from one job and determine what they will do next.

The kids have no agenda, which benefits the horses. The horses are exposed to a different atmosphere, including being ridden in hackamores (at the farm and competition). The kids help decide what career is best for the horse. There is no set timetable; we let the horses be horses.

Finally, we don’t have to advertise for adoptions. We work with Pony Clubs, 4-H groups, or local trail clubs to find the right home for each horse.. There is no fee for the horse adoption. 

Do you work with other locations or farms in your program?

We manage our program within the 60 acres at Brook Hill. We do work with the Equine Welfare Society in Keswick, which is an Olympic dressage barn. The trainer has fewer horses in winter, when the majority of the horses move to Florida. She will start six to twelve horses, including some from our program, each year. Horses that are too much for the kids go there. 

How many horses have gone through your program?

We have had 579 horses, not all Thoroughbreds, go through our program, and only three have returned. We have adopted them out all over the nation.

How many horses have a permanent home on your farm?

We typically have eleven or twelve that are sanctuary horses. They go into the youth programs on the farm.

How does Brook Hill Retirement Center receive funding?

We receive three categories of funding: grants and donations, events (gala and open house), and programs.

Do you have a story about a horse that we can share with our readers? 

In 2022 the five members of our Brook Hill Pony Club all qualified for the annual US Pony Club Championship. Because of the unique composition of this group and the fact that the entire team qualified, Chronicle of the Horse took an interest, followed these kids and horses, and wrote about their journey. Additionally, our community came together to help our team go to the Championship, purchasing what was needed, including helmets, t-shirts, and travel expenses.

At the Championship, our team did really well. The team competed in show jumping, many with horses that were newer to this discipline. We had a first and second place finish for individuals. Our team finished sixth overall. 

If people want to help your program, what can they do?

You can make a donation. You also can sponsor the kids. We have a 100% graduation rate with kids who used to be failing and truant. Through our program 140 kids are now high school graduates. 

To learn about another program that assists Thoroughbred in their post-racing careers, please click here.