Racing to the rescue

BROWNVILLE — Smarty leapt for joy, kicked up his hind legs and rolled in the snow shortly after his owner led him across Reasoner Road and into his large fenced-in field.

He had reason to display such glee. The former thoroughbred racehorse was once on his last legs.

He's now on his best legs for owner Cheryl A. Dean.

Smarty was professionally known as I'm a Smart Alyk and ran with the best of them, winning thousands at racetracks from the East to West coasts. He's the "great-grandson" of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat and the "grandson" of Alydar, who came in second three times in 1978 to Triple Crown winner Affirmed.

If seconds run in Smarty's blood line, he's making the most of his second chance in life.

Across the road, the sounds of barking Weimaraners came from the Dean household. They sensed some fun in the air but, for the moment, weren't invited.

The two horses and many of the dogs that passed through here once shared a similar fate: they were cast aside by owners who no longer found need for them. But they received deliverance with the help of Ms. Dean and her parents, Frederick J. and Jean M. Dean.

The family members said people looking to adopt a pet should consider such a "rescued" animal.

"When they get that second chance, they give back so much in return," Jean Dean said.

"It's a lot of work, but I love it," Cheryl Dean said.

After watching Smarty gallop around for a few minutes, Ms. Dean went across the road to fetch Bill, another rescued horse. Smarty paused at the gate, waiting patiently as he studied the activity at the horse barn.

When Ms. Dean returned with Bill, the two geldings galloped around together, kicking up snow and making the slightly frozen ground tremble.

"When they get out on a day like this, they love to run around and play," Ms. Dean said.

Ms. Dean got Smarty, age 9, in the summer of 2005 and Bill, 13, in October. They have distinct personalities.

"I call Smarty my muscle-bound teenager," Ms. Dean said. "Bill is laid-back and is happy to just eat all day."

Smarty came to Ms. Dean through New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in Ohio. She found the organization online after she began a search for a horse to replace one that had died.

New Vocations gives retired racehorses a safe haven and rehabilitation, and seeks placement for them. Most horses that arrive at New Vocations are injured and thin, suffering the occupational hazards of racing. Smarty had been injured at Ohio's Beula Park racetrack on April 26, 2005.

I'm a Smart Alyk (he was dubbed Smarty by Ms. Dean) pulled a tendon in his right front leg, ending his racing career. According to records at New Vocations, I'm a Smart Alyk raced 30 times, coming in first twice, second six times and third two times. He won $32,000 for his owners.

"Horses like Smarty who sustain a career-ending injury are normally in great need of a home," said Anna Ford, program director at New Vocations.

She said some racehorse owners of will pay for the horse to be rehabbed and then try to find it a home or program like New Vocations.

"Other owners simply do not want to continue paying on a horse that is not racing and will sell or give it away to the first person they can," she said. "Unfortunately many do not do a good screening process of who is actually buying or taking their horse and the horse will end up going to Canada for slaughter."

She said that could have been Smarty's fate if his owner had not donated him to New Vocations.

"We started the rehab process and then found him a good home with Cheryl, who could finish it," Mrs. Ford said.

Adoption fees at New Vocations average $250. Fees are waived on companion horses, aged horses and those facing long rehabilitations. Adopters must send three written updates with photos during the first year. The organization has placed around 3,000 horses since its founding in 1992.

Ms. Dean said she spent six months helping Smarty heal as she dressed his leg with bandages and compresses. "A lot of that got us bonding because we spent so much time together," she said.

Ms. Dean has been around horses since she was 3 years old and has trained all types of them. Before moving back to her native north country five years ago, the General Brown Central School graduate, who is a licensed practical nurse on contract with Fort Drum, trained polo ponies in Colorado.

"You have to know something about horses to rescue a racehorse," Ms. Dean said. "For Smarty, all he knew before was that 'Someone will get on me and I'll go as fast as I can.'"

She added that it took a lot of training to get him used to his new lifestyle. "They're very high-spirited and hard to handle," she said. "At first, it's a trust issue."

Ms. Dean is able to ride Smarty, but it takes someone who is confident around horses, she said.

She also rides Bill, who came to the Deans from a north country farm.

"He was with a herd of horses that didn't accept him," Jean Dean said. She said it's extremely tough on a horse when that happens.

"These two are just like Frick and Frack," Cheryl Dean said. "You can tell when two horses just meet if they're going to get along. Smarty seems to be telling Bill, 'Listen, this is what's up and this is the way it is — so don't be messing around and we'll get along.'"

For Bill, those are easy terms to live with.

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Jean Dean became involved in Weimaraner rescue 14 years ago. She said there are rescue organizations for many types of dog breeds. She's involved with Attica-based New York State Weimaraner Rescue. The Dean household acts as a foster home to the dogs while permanent homes are sought.

"I've always loved Weimaraners since I was a child," she said.

The American Kennel Club says the German hunting breed is often called "the gray ghost" because of the distinctive color of its short-haired coat. They're "bred for speed, good scenting ability, courage and intelligence," according to the AKC.

"They are so intelligent and easily trained," Mrs. Dean said. "They bond to one person, which can be good and bad."

Cheryl Dean ended up keeping Pal, one of her parents' foster dogs that was relinquished by a local family.

"We had him for a couple of months and I said, 'Mom, he's not going anywhere,'" Ms. Dean said.

There's a total of five Weimaraners in the household, but there were six until a few weeks ago. That sixth dog found a new home. The other five live permanently with the Deans.

The family has found permanent homes for about a dozen Weimaraners since Mrs. Dean got involved in the rescue operation in the mid-1990s.

She said many dog owners make the mistake of not doing research to find the type of dog that will fit their lifestyle.

"Weimaraners are very high-energy dogs," Mrs. Dean said. "They can be very destructive in homes if they don't get an outlet for all that energy."

The Deans wish more people looking for a pet would take advantage of animal shelters or rescue organizations and note the benefits provided to the animals. "They are spayed or neutered before leaving," Ms. Dean said. "If it needs specific vet care, those things are taken care of."

Pal got his chance to shine this day when his master took him outside to play in his obstacle course. He had an open-mouthed smile as he eagerly dashed up and over obstacles.

Ms. Dean said pets have a lot to give, but rescued pets seem especially appreciative. "Because their lives have not always been easy, they give their new families so much in return," she said. "Rescuing is a way to give back all the great things they've done for us."

The animals also put life into perspective for Ms. Dean.

"Animals teach me so much," she added. "If I had a terrible day, I go to the barn and complain. But then, they all turn out to be small things."

She said that bonding has made her realize what's important.

"I realize material things are nice," she said. "But it's all about the animals and what you do with your life."