“Giving horses a second chance to be winners.”

That’s the motto of the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) and it’s one two people with Keuka College connections believe in passionately.

Wanda Polisseni, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the May 2008 commencement, is committed to giving race horses a second chance at productive lives and her generous contribution was instrumental in the construction of the FLTAP’s Purple Haze Center.

Kim Copenhagen, a senior biology major from Rochester who “loves animals” and plans to become a veterinarian, conducted a Field Period at the Purple Haze Center, located at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Farmington, this past summer.

“This Field Period was wonderful, and it’s great for those in the pre-vet major or those who love horses or other animals,” she said. “You get great hands-on experience, the people are a lot of fun, and they made me feel comfortable around the horses.”

More than 360 thoroughbreds have found new homes and new careers since FLTAP was established in 2004. The Purple Haze Center, which carries the name of Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables, has been in existence nearly a year. A 10,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art horse barn that can house up to 16 thoroughbreds, the facility includes a riding arena as well as paddocks for grazing.

In addition to finding new homes for former runners at the Finger Lakes oval, the Purple Haze Center, the only facility of its kind in the country located on the grounds of a racetrack, provides medical care.

Though equines and other animals have always been part of her family, Copenhagen wanted to “learn more about horses and how to take care of them.”

And she was able to do both with this Field Period.

“I learned about cold pressure treatments, which pumps ice water through a wrap around the horse's leg,” said Copenhagen, who also works part time at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. “It simulates walking and helps to heal injuries such as bowed tendons and suspensory ligaments more quickly. We used an ultrasound to find the exact place where the injury was.”

Copenhagen was able to trim horses’ hoofs and learn about thrush, a fungal foot infection. She took photos of the horses up for adoption that were posted on the center’s Web site, and  performed such chores as feeding and exercising the horses, cleaning stalls, and replacing the bedding.

Racehorses typically don't have long careers. They may start running as 2- or 3-year-olds and retire from racing by age 5 or 6. And while some may continue to go to the post later in life, they too will retire at some point. So what happens to the horses then?

“These horses have been trained to perform one thing: race,” said Copenhagen. “The Center helps retrain the horses so they can continue to have purposeful lives.”

Thanks to the adoption program and the work that goes on at the Center, former race horses have gone on to excel in other sports such as jumping, dressage, polo, and eventing. Some are trained for riding therapy or law enforcement  purposes, while others become pleasure horses.

Copenhagen acquired a few new body language techniques while communicating with the horses during her Field Period.

“You must assume certain postures when working with horses,” she said. “This is how they know you are in charge. If you look down and droop your shoulders, while occasionally glancing up, the horse will come to you out of its natural curiosity.”

While Copenhagen “loves horses,” it was a dog that influenced her decision to become a veterinarian.

“My dog had a stroke, and I want to figure out how to prevent that from happening to other dogs,” said Copenhagen. “I love animals, and have always been intrigued by medicine and science, and I like to solve puzzles. I plan to become a veterinary technician before becoming a vet.”

And she gives Professor of Biology Joan Magnusen’s junior seminar credit for that decision.

“It helped me realize that I don’t have to be a vet right away,” said Copenhagen. “The class also helped me refine my research skills and reading, analyzing and understanding what treatments can help which injuries and why.

“My Keuka classes have helped by teaching me how genes are inherited, how cells and chromosomes are developed, and the detailed organization of cell structure,” she added.

Before her Field Period at the Purple Haze Center, Copenhagen worked with smaller mammals at Lollypop Farm, and a couple of veterinary clinics. At the clinics, she assisted with spaying, neutering, eye surgery, and teeth cleaning.

-- Gretchen Parsells