The racehorse aftercare charity LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE) has served 300 students and educators in 2024–a year ahead of its goal to hit that mark in 2025. By combining racehorse aftercare with STEM education, LOPE's ex-racers (mostly retired racehorses with over 50 races) are providing hands-on ways to help kids learn math, science, and veterinary skills.
“Warhorses like Jet Set Cat, who raced 106 times with one eye, offer more than science lessons–they teach kids about grit and perseverance,” says LOPE founder Lynn Reardon. “Every child leaves here with a new perspective, whether they're future veterinarians or simply seeking comfort in a horse's presence.”
Reardon founded LOPE in the Texas Hill Country in 2004. The organization hosts dynamic field trips and internships, engaging youth aged four through 18 with subjects like biology, physics, and equine veterinary science. Highlights of the 2024 program include partnerships with the Texas Equine Veterinary Association and the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants.
“With the U.S. facing a looming shortage of equine veterinarians, programs like ours are crucial for inspiring the next generation of animal care professionals,” Reardon said. “Through hands-on experiences, students learn not only how to care for horses, but also how to translate their passion into a career.”
LOPE's upcoming expansion includes a nearly complete mini-campus and a vision for year-round youth programs.
For more information, visit www.lopetx.org.
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