A group of concerned horse lovers approached the New York State Department of Correctional Services several years ago to discuss the possibility of a retirement home for thoroughbreds. Too many horses who could no longer race were being sold to slaughterhouses or living under unfit conditions. Founders of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation created a home for horses and a potential new career for inmates after release from prison. There are currently 11 inmates in the prison vocational certificate program, and another 3 inmates are involved with the farm as maintenance personnel. Inmates have become very attached to the horses in their charge. They learn each horse's likes and dislikes and know what upsets them. The farm manager tries to insure that horses who tend to be mistrustful are matched with inmates who will be around long enough to gain their confidence.