The Standardbred Horse Fan Club's founder, Felicia Allen, wanted to bring to light the beauty of the Standardbred horses and the many talents that the breed has after a racing career. Felicia felt that way too many Standardbreds end up in the slaughter houses because people generally assume that a "pacer can't canter", or cannot move on to any other careers than trail riding.

A child visiting with a Standardbred horse
rescued by Club volunteers.

The Standardbred Horse Fan Club was established in 2004 as a grassroots organization with the purpose to educate the public about the many talents of the pacer and trotter above and beyond that of being a race horse.

"We would like to thank the wonderful donors and volunteers who have helped the Standardbred Fan Club for the past 20 years. Thank you from the very depth of the horses and our hearts."
The horses and volunteers of the Standardbred Horse Fan Club

The popularity of the Club's retraining method spread as pacers demonstrated the ease with which the horses went from a race track career to riding and competition horses. The retraining method relies on kindness, compassion, understanding and universal humane horse training principles. In 2009, the retraining method was demonstrated and produced on video, Retraining The Pacer ~ Standardbred Horse Training which has since become the most popular retraining method for the pacers all over the world.

More and more, the public is beginning to realize that pacers can be retrained and many can have promising new careers in almost any riding discipline.

Horse rescue

Standardbred Fan Club volunteer with a
former pacer rescued by the Club
recovering from track injuries.

Standardbred Fan Club volunteers have rescued many pacers from the race track when their careers were over. Almost all of the horses were destined for slaughter which is the fate of the Standardbred horse breed whose numbers are the highest in the slaughter houses of any other horse breed. It wasn't unusual for the Club to rescue 20 to 35 horses at race season end. Our Members stories tell of the amazing big hearts who provide Standies all over the world with loving homes and meaningful lives.

Jewel, a rescued Standardbred who was
rehomed to a good forever home.

The Club is entirely run on volunteer effort and relies on public donations and sponsors for the Club's intervention to rescue and rehome former Standardbred harness racing horses (pacers) destined for slaughter as well as its other causes.

The Standardbred Fan Club's aim is to educate the public about the merits of the pacers as equine companions when they are discarded by the racing industry. We believe that may be the only hope in this age for the animals.

Events

In 2014 the Club came up with a new idea which was to celebrate the Standardbred horse breed nationally with a Canada Standardbred Horse Day and Country Fair Celebrations every July yearly by holding an event for the public to meet the animals and for children to have lots of fun!

The first event was held on Sunday, July 15, 2014 and was a wonderful experience for all.

The celebrations continued with the 2015 Canada Standardbred Horse Day and Country Fair Celebrations

In 2015 the special day also received a variety of media coverage:

The Sunday, July 10, 2016 Canada Standardbred Horse Day and Country Fair Celebrations saw Standie rescues across the country participating. Club sponsors, volunteers and politians participated with the public for a grand event!

The Standardbred Fan Club no longer operates a rescue (formerly at Epona Stable and Farms) to hold Canada Standardbred Horse Day and Country Fair Celebrations however our efforts to save horses from slaughter and rehome the animals to forever caring families and individuals is ongoing.

The Standardbred Fan Club relies exclusively on donations, sponsors and fundraising activities to cover the costs for the rescue of former harness racing horses (pacers) and other charitable activities. Membership to the Standardbred Fan Club continues to be free and our volunteers are the most amazing individuals as are our many sponsors over the years.

Pledge

The Standardbred Fan Club offers you our pledge that every penny you donate or sponsorship provided will be directly for the rescue and care of horses, to our causes, and to educating the public about the wonderful Standies..