From The Outside: What I Learned From Being Accredited by the TAA

They say silence is golden, that is not always true, sometimes it is yellow

By Cindy Morgan D-Atrio

You don’t know me.  I don’t own any racehorses, but I do own ex-racehorses.  I saved my first thoroughbred at 16, and since have saved many more.  My non-profit for thoroughbreds has been a labor of love since 2009.  After realizing that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) existed, becoming accredited was instantly aspirational.  Visions of doors opening, opportunities transpiring and having access to grants were enticing.  We became accredited in 2018.  We had successfully jumped through the hoops. 

Grants:   Under TAA, you are instructed to not share the amount of your grant with anyone, especially other organizations.  The formula and logic used to calculate grant awards is unclear and unavailable.  Over the years we were accredited, we received under $150 per horse per month (about 5 bags of feed).  TAA and the industry expect organizations to make up the differences, up to 80% or more, to cover remaining care costs.   Let that sink in.  Despite our best efforts, we would not have made ends meet if I did not also work full-time (as a psychologist).  But hey, we were accredited.  

Censorship:  TAA insists that you are to represent and portray the industry in a “positive light.”  Despite adhering to TAA standards, there were no programs coming, no assistance to help us grow; not even a phone call of support.  Nothing, that is, until I dared to post a statement on social media about being frustrated with the lack of aftercare for thoroughbreds in Louisiana.  I received a phone call from the TAA Operations Consultant beginning with, “…Take it down.”  There was no “Hello,” “How are things going?” The call, rude and unprofessional, was one of 2 phone calls I’ve had with this individual.  My post was truthful and I felt I had a right to speak my mind.  The post stayed up.  After responding to another post, I was once again contacted by the TAA Operations Consultant and issued a threat that we would not receive our grant check if the post wasn’t removed.  I didn’t remove the post but did make edits.  We received our grant.  Another time, I received a phone call from a staff member telling me “They’re watching you.”  Yes. They are always watching you.  Last year, our organization was due for re-accreditation.  We did not reapply. 

Fellow non-profit organization, R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc. who began speaking out about the plight of thoroughbreds in the slaughter pipeline and the lack of funding from the industry for these horses, were unaccredited by TAA in late 2024.  TAA’s reasoning:  Noncompliance for not portraying a positive outlook on Thoroughbred aftercare and the racing industry in all media.  Unaccredited for speaking the truth.   Instead of being hailed as heroes, thanked for their service and assistance to the industry, their accreditation and funding was removed.  Our organizations are not alone in how we’ve been treated by TAA. 

Scope of care:  TAA won’t assist horses in the slaughter pipeline.  I’ve had up to 10 thoroughbreds from killpens in my barn at one time.  Where is the emergency funding for these horses?  Why is there no help?  Aftercare is aftercare, regardless of where.  They are ALL worthy.   I have a multiple stakes winner in my barn rescued from a killpen.  He was saved by the R.A.C.E. Fund, Inc. after holding a public fundraiser, not by the industry.

Having donated the use of my facility, my time, my knowledge and experience to helping thoroughbreds, why would I want to be a part of TAA?  Why would I sign up to be censored, treated unprofessionally and jump through countless hoops only to receive funds that will not begin to cover the expenses of the horses we help?  Why would I want to be part of an organization that turns its back on horses in the greatest need of help and AFTERCARE?   Most of the smaller organizations are struggling terribly as we are.  Is this by design?   Five bags of feed per month per horse is NOT cutting it.

TAA has touted that they are the “Gold Standard” in accreditation.  Well, I am looking for the “Platinum Standard.”  A standard that comes with adequate funding, free speech, and support for ALL thoroughbreds. A standard that gives respect to both people and horses. 

Perhaps TAA has taken its lead from The Jockey Club (TJC).  Recently, TJC announced an increase in funding for aftercare to $2.5 million which is not even close to being enough. Thoroughbred owner and businessman, Mike Repole presented TJC with a solid proposal that would potentially generate over $20 million a year for aftercare, which is actually in the proverbial ballpark.  TJC thought so much of the proposal; it wasn’t even shared with the Stewards.  Is this how much they think about aftercare and the horses?  It’s clear that TJC and TAA are selective about the horses and organizations they want to help.  There is no equity and will not be as long as the status quo remains.  Aftercare should not be an afterthought. 

Cindy Morgan-D’Atrio, Ph.D. Founder / Director Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana

Member:  Thoroughbred Rescue Alliance