Sun Hunter

Chestnut Gelding by Storm Boot out of Maria Dolores by Prized
Born: March 12, 2005
Race Record: 18 starts, 0 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, $16,480

According to Barbara Luna, Turning for Home’s program administrator, “It's nice to have big name horses, or huge money earners go on to do extraordinary things upon retirement. It is great publicity, and a lot of people love to adopt these famous horses.” But Barbara says there are a large number of “horses who quietly succeed due the patience of their caregivers and the nature of their personalities. They often, without any fanfare but our own, fit into special programs, or with special children--just as important in both the p.r. end of the retirement industry, and the ability to secure them lifetime homes.”

Sun Hunter is one such horse. A six-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Storm Boot, Sun Hunter did not win in 18 starts over a three-year period. He had surgery in June 2008 to remove chips. He picked up minor checks when finally dropped in for bottom level maidens, but by that time his ankles were bothering him with severe arthritis and joint deterioration. He was accepted into the Turning For Home program at his trainer's request on December 16, 2010.

Luna says, “We sent him to Copper Kettle Farm (one of several groups Turning for Home works with), where he immediately became everyone's pet--he had such an endearing personality. He was very lame at the time, but Bonnie Hutton and Jessica Basciano gave him time, and had the patience to wait out his stinging ankles.”

Sun Hunter was spotted by Danielle Yusko, a local trainer and owner of Diamond Appaloosa Ranch, who was impressed with Sunny’s ability to be ridden around objects such as tarps and balls. Danielle was drawn to Sunny’s kind eye, laid-back demeanor and smarts, and thought Sunny would be perfect for one of her clients. Roberta Mearns says Danielle called and “told me he was up for adoption and inquired if I would be interested in going out to see him. Yes, I heard about the objects and saw a video that demonstrated he did not spook easily. I even heard the term “bomb proof horse”.

The adoption process went smoothly, with Roberta having high praise for both Bonnie and Danielle. “These two ladies are very smart horsewomen. Their desire is to find good homes for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. It is not about their own personal egos or how many horses can we place. It is written all over their faces, and in their words. These horses tug at their heartstrings. And their horses only get a good home or they are not willing to release them.”

Roberta reports that, “After Sunny was delivered to our barn he started to crib on everything! We realized he needed a better cribbing collar asap. He did great with his turn out group, leading and being handled. We waited a little while before he was ridden again, just to give him some time to soak in everything here at the ranch. When it came time to ride him, he was a rusty pro.”

Danielle says, “Because of Sunny's calm demeanor, mega smarts, plus a strong will to try hard to please, his was the easiest training I have ever done. The first time I rode Sunny we started on neck reining. He understood what I was asking him to do after his first ride. How many OTTB's do you see competing in western pleasure, equitation, barrels, or pole bending? Sunny has shown that he can enter a show ring in any and all of these disciplines. He is the Thoroughbred that now knows how to walk, jog and lope. He flies through a barrel pattern without anyone pointing his way, and he looks forward to those pole cones every time he sees them.”

Roberta describes Sunny as a family member who has brought two families together as friends who share a common interest: him! Sunny is ridden by both Roberta’s and Danielle’ families and they have worked together to bring out the best in Sunny as a partner, family member, child-packer and confidence giver.

Danielle says Sunny “is a pretty important boy. He has shown all of us what we can do with him now, and he will try to do anything we ask of him. As matter of fact, he often asks us “what should I do”? In all my time with horses, only one other horse has shown such commitment and dedication.”

Sun Hunter has also become Danielle and Roberta’s personal therapy horse. Danielle says that “when I'm having a bad day I can go to the barn and he knows it; he does his best to make me feel better. This horse pulls any hurt I have out of me when I work with him. Even when you have nothing to give him, he still gives his all to you. Sunny helps me to personally cope with the loss of my geldings, Skip and Buck. I know he is therapeutic for others as well, and he will continue to be so; that's just Sunny.

As for Roberta, she says Sunny has “brought a retired rider back to the saddle! I was thinking I am getting older and a carriage and horse might be the best idea. But life works in mysterious ways and we ended up with Sun Hunter. Two senior citizens in retirement get exercise, happiness and their youth back by playing with Sunny every day. My husband did not previously ride. Sun Hunter has captured his heart, and he now does.”

Danielle’s advice to those interested in adopting an ex-racehorse? “Forget the bias and the "only good for hopping a jump". My farrier found out that the Mearns family had never owned a horse before and that Sunny was their first. He said "They got a Thoroughbred for their first horse? Why would they do that?" He doubted it was a good decision, but only for a few seconds. Now he understands that Sunny is a great family horse. “

Sunny did not make a great splash as a racehorse. He may not ever jump or become a fancy show horse. But he is having a wonderful influence on the people who inhabit his world.

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Sun Hunter is one of over 670 Thoroughbreds that The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s 501(c)(3) non-profit Turning For Home has helped since opening their doors in 2008. Any registered Thoroughbred who is in training at Philadelphia Park with a trainer who is based at the track for at least six months of the year is eligible to be placed into Turning For Home for no fee. Four to five horses enter the program each week.

Many of the horses arrive in need of surgery, which is provided at cost by Dr. Patty Hogan and her staff at Hogan Equine. Turning For Home works for months to rehabilitate horses whose prognosis for second careers is good.

According to Luna, “After the Races is one of five organizations that work very closely with us to assure each horse has the chance to go onto a new and loving home, many after surgery and rehab. We thank our owners and jockeys from PARX, the PTHA, PARX Racing and the PA Horse Breeders for their continued support of our program.”

Trainers and owners wishing to retire horses can visit the Turning for Home office in the administration office on the backside, call Program Administrator Barbara Luna at 215-272-6716, or email turningforhome@patha.org for forms and information.

More about Turning For Home:

Turning Things Around, The Blood Horse, June 9, 2009

Saving Grace, The Blood Horse, March 27, 2010

Turning for Home special report on NBC10