What Second Stride does

Second Stride Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on June 1, 2005 by Kim S. Smith, headquartered at Moserwood Farms in Prospect (Oldham County), Kentucky. The organization operates as a transitional safety-net aftercare program for retired thoroughbred racehorses, providing rehabilitation, professional retraining, and adoption placement services to keep horses from entering auctions or facing welfare risks. Core programs include the Adopt a Horse Program (vetted adopters, screening, retraining), the Donate a Horse Program (intake, veterinary assessment, Jockey Club documentation transfer), and the Broodmare & Bloodstock Program launched in 2022 for non-racing thoroughbreds serving approximately 20 mares and yearlings annually.

Second Stride is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: adoption fees ($850-$1,500 per horse), individual and corporate donations (including appreciated securities), grants from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, ASPCA/Right Horse Initiative, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Churchill Downs Foundation, Keeneland Foundation, and 10+ additional foundations, plus farm tour revenue ($20 adult/$150 private) at its flagship facility, merchandise sales, horse sponsorships, and annual fundraising events including the Second Stride 5K at Claiborne Farm. Adoption intake is sourced from premier Kentucky breeding farms (Claiborne Farm, Denali Stud, Upson Downs Farm) and trainers nationally, with horses placed across the United States.

The organization holds TAA accreditation since 2014, GuideStar Platinum certification since 2019, ASPCA Right Horse partnership since 2021, and Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council certification. Operations are powered by standard nonprofit SaaS tooling rather than proprietary technology; the organization's competitive position rests on regulatory credentials, 20 years of operating history (2,100+ adoptions), a proprietary training protocol claimed to reduce transition time from racehorse to second career, and deep integration into the Kentucky thoroughbred industry's funding and supply ecosystem.

Name

Second Stride

Legal name

Second Stride Inc.

Website

https://secondstride.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Second Stride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that rehabilitates, retrains, and places retired thoroughbred racehorses into adoptive homes, serving Kentucky breeders, racehorse owners, trainers, and U.S. adopters through its Prospect, Kentucky flagship facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Aftercare and Thoroughbred Adoption Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racehorse Training & Conditioning Operations (AFAEAGAE), Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Thoroughbred aftercare adoption
• Retired racehorse rehabilitation
• Equine retraining services
• Thoroughbred sanctuary programs
• Horse adoption nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Crestwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: Adoption fees ranging from $850-$1,500 per horse depending on training level and condition. Fees fund core operational costs including care, retraining, and placement services.
2. Donations: Individual and corporate donations including tax-deductible contributions. Accepts appreciated securities (stock, bonds, mutual funds). Encourages additional donations for horses needing extended rehabilitation ($2,200/month estimated).
3. Grants and Sponsorships: Major funding from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, ASPCA, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Churchill Downs Foundation, Keeneland Foundation, and other industry partners. Also receives sponsorships for horses and events.
4. Farm Tours: Revenue from farm tours at flagship facility in Oldham County, Kentucky. Public tours at $20/adult and $11/child; private tours at $150 for first 4 guests plus $37.50 per additional guest.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling merchandise with proceeds supporting operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Second Stride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes retired and non-racing thoroughbred racehorses. It accepts horses of any age or gender through a Donate a Horse program, evaluates and retrains them, and places them with screened adopters via the Adopt a Horse Program (and the 2022-launched Broodmare & Bloodstock program for non-racing thoroughbreds), supported by farm tours, fundraising events, donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Second Stride operates as a single unified non-profit adoption program for retired thoroughbred racehorses. The core offerings include the Adopt a Horse Program for matching retired thoroughbreds with adoptive families, the Broodmare & Bloodstock Program (launched 2022) for non-racing thoroughbreds, and the Donate a Horse Program for accepting incoming horses. Supporting services include Farm Tours for education and fundraising, a Donation Program for financial support, Horse Sponsorship for targeted care support, and the annual Second Stride 5K at Claiborne Farm event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Broodmare & Bloodstock: A program of Second Stride that serves broodmares and non-racing bloodstock in need of new careers and new homes. Services approximately 20 broodmares and yearlings annually.

Products and services

• Adopt a Horse Program Adoption program placing retired thoroughbred racehorses with vetted adoptive families. Includes screening process, veterinary assessment, disposition evaluation, and basic retraining for intended use. Adoption fees range from $850-$1,500 per horse.
• Broodmare & Bloodstock Program Program serving broodmares and non-racing bloodstock in need of new careers. Assesses horses' capabilities and temperament and places them with vetted adopters in permanent homes.
• Donate a Horse Program Donation program accepting thoroughbreds of any age or gender for transition into new careers. Includes veterinary assessment, 'not for racing use' certificate processing, and Jockey Club documentation transfer.
• Farm Tours Guided tours of the flagship farm in Oldham County, Kentucky, including meeting retired racehorses, watching training sessions, farrier/vet demonstrations, and educational presentations about thoroughbred aftercare. Public tours $20/adult and $11/child; private tours $150 for first 4 guests plus $37.50 per additional guest up to 10.
• Donation Program Financial contributions accepting first-time and recurring donations, appreciated securities, planned giving, and memorial gifts. Includes corporate matching opportunities. Funds core operational costs including care, retraining, and placement services.
• Horse Sponsorship Program allowing supporters to sponsor individual horses, providing ongoing care support for specific animals in the program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,100 horses adopted since 2005 with proper handling for first 3-6 months dramatically increasing success rate of permanent matches
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thoroughbred Aftercare AlliancecoreOthersTAA-accredited organization since 2014. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Second Stride's accreditation verifies adherence to standards for horse care, facilities, business practices, and horse placement.
• The Right Horse Initiative (ASPCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner since 2021. The Right Horse Initiative, a program of the ASPCA, works to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. Provides seed funding for Second Stride's Broodmare & Bloodstock program and supports industry-wide aftercare efforts.
• Kentucky Horse CouncilcoreOthersMember organization supporting equine welfare and industry advocacy in Kentucky. Second Stride participates in council activities and adheres to their guidelines.
• Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare CouncilcoreOthersCertified as an equine rescue facility for the State of Kentucky. This certification verifies Second Stride meets state standards for equine rescue and retirement facilities.
• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)minorOthersSecond Stride abides by the Guidelines for Transitioning the Retired Racehorse and the Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue And Retirement Facilities as set forth by the AAEP.
• Claiborne FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource of broodmares and bloodstock for Second Stride's Broodmare & Bloodstock program. Claiborne Farm is one of Kentucky's premier thoroughbred breeding farms and hosts the annual Second Stride 5K fundraiser.
• Denali StudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSource of broodmares and yearlings for Second Stride's Broodmare & Bloodstock program.
• Upson Downs FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSource of broodmares and yearlings for Second Stride's Broodmare & Bloodstock program.
• MagnaWaveminorOthersCorporate partner providing PEMF therapy services for horses. Visible in partner logos on Second Stride's website.
• Hardscuffle Inc.minorOthersCorporate partner shown in Second Stride's partner logos.
• Sterling Thompson EquineminorOthersCorporate partner visible in Second Stride's partner logos.
• Town and Country FordminorOthersCorporate sponsor visible in Second Stride's partner logos.
• It's Five Minutes To Post SomewhereminorOthersCorporate partner visible in Second Stride's partner logos.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• The Right Horse Initiative: ASPCA-led industry initiative to increase horse adoption across the U.S. Second Stride is an official Right Horse Partner; the initiative is an ecosystem convener rather than a direct service provider.
• Thoroughbred Charities of America: Industry-wide grantmaking and support organization for thoroughbred aftercare. Second Stride is a TCA grantee; TCA is a funder/convener rather than a direct operating competitor, but occupies the same welfare ecosystem.

Direct peers

• New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: One of the largest U.S. racehorse adoption nonprofits, founded in 1992, accredited by TAA, and operating multiple satellite farms across multiple states. Directly comparable as a TAA-accredited aftercare provider placing retired thoroughbreds and standardbreds into second careers.
• Standardbred Retirement Foundation: Nonprofit that retrains and rehomes retired standardbred racehorses. Highly comparable operating model (rehabilitation, retraining, adoption, fundraising) although focused on a different racing breed.
• ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption: TAA-accredited thoroughbred aftercare organization that retrains and rehomes off-track racehorses. Operates in the Northeast and offers a directly comparable adoption, rehabilitation, and retraining model.
• Old Friends: Kentucky-based TAA-accredited facility dedicated to providing retirement homes for retired racehorses, including stallions. Closely comparable geographic and operational overlap with Second Stride's Kentucky horse-welfare mission.
• CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses): National nonprofit network that transitions off-track thoroughbreds into second careers through regional chapters. Directly comparable mission and target population, although CANTER primarily facilitates private placements rather than operating a single centralized farm.
• Bright Futures Farm: TAA-accredited thoroughbred aftercare organization providing rehabilitation, retraining, and adoption services. Directly comparable in program structure, scale, and TAA accreditation to Second Stride.
• Maker's Mark Secretariat Center: Kentucky-based TAA-accredited aftercare facility focused on retraining and rehoming former racehorses. Directly comparable as a regional TAA-accredited retraining and adoption organization in the same Bluegrass corridor.

Regional players

• Kentucky Equine Humane Center: Kentucky-based equine rescue and adoption organization serving horses of various breeds. Comparable in geography and welfare mission, but broader in scope (all breeds) and not exclusively focused on thoroughbred aftercare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/secondstride
• Instagraminstagram.com/secondstride
• Xtwitter.com/secondstride
• TikToktiktok.com/@secondstride
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/secondstride

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Second Stride