I have written about Richard Fields before and the ban he imposed on sending thoroughbreds to slaughter at Suffolk Downs race track. He has taken his commitment to finding homes for retired thoroughbreds to the next level with his contribution to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Farm, the new home of four retired racehorses from Suffolk Downs.
The 90 acre farm in Plymouth, Mass. features stalls built by prisoners in an unused portion of a dairy barn on the premises. Prisoners also learn how to care for the horses with the incentive of earning their licenses as grooms, hot-walkers or other back stretch jobs. They have the opportunity to get out of prison for the whole day to care for the animals as well as to earn good-behavior time for their work.
According to Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr., the program "gives a new lease on life not only for the thoroughbreds but also a new lease on life for the inmates. In caring for the thoroughbreds, hopefully they will learn to care for themselves in the community."
Richard Fields, majority owner of Suffolk Downs, committed $135,000 from his family foundation to build and operate the stable. Sheriff's officers at the facility greeted the four new boarders mounted on horses that were part of Boston's Mounted Unit before it was disbanded this past summer. Truly this is a win-win facility for all involved.
The accolades just keep coming for Fields who is truly walking the walk when it comes to setting an example for thoroughbred owners everywhere.
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