Adopt ~ Sponsor ~ Foster
Proper Empire (Louis) - Sponsor | Adoptable
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Name : Louis (Jockey Club: Proper Empire)
DOB: 2009
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding (gelded June 2023)
Suitability: Currently re-training with focus on basic dressage, pole and strength work. A smart and quiet boy, confident and kind. Will make someone an excellent lower level/pleasure partner. Would benefit from an intermediate to advanced owner to reach his potential.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, good for vet/farrier/grooming/cross-ties. Currently turned out with one other gelding.
Adoption Fee: $1750 - Winter Special - will increase in line with training.
Proper Empire is a 2009 Kentucky bred horse (Empire Maker - Proper Cielo, Conquistador Cielo).
Proper Empire (Louis) earned almost $80,000 in 18 starts during his racing career; he’s raced in Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Arkansas and Kentucky! At time of rescue, Proper Empire, had fared the least well in the kill pen. Attacked by the other 2 stallions on top of being malnourished, Louis had nasty infected bite wounds on his left shoulder, a fractured skull, rib and was body sore all over. Not to mention the state of his teeth and feet.
Even at rescue his beauty and class shone through, this boy is in a league of his own. During his first few weeks in quarantine, he underwent almost daily vet visits, which involved painful flushing of his wounds/stitches and medications. He wins over the hearts of everyone he meets. Louis has been eating like a hippo and has already made good progress putting on weight and regaining condition. His shoulder wounds are looking incredible, healing much better than anticipated. Watch this space to follow his rehabilitation and re-training progress.
Thank you Jo Ann Spitzer for helping with Louis' monthly expenses.
DOB: 2009
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding (gelded June 2023)
Suitability: Currently re-training with focus on basic dressage, pole and strength work. A smart and quiet boy, confident and kind. Will make someone an excellent lower level/pleasure partner. Would benefit from an intermediate to advanced owner to reach his potential.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, good for vet/farrier/grooming/cross-ties. Currently turned out with one other gelding.
Adoption Fee: $1750 - Winter Special - will increase in line with training.
Proper Empire is a 2009 Kentucky bred horse (Empire Maker - Proper Cielo, Conquistador Cielo).
Proper Empire (Louis) earned almost $80,000 in 18 starts during his racing career; he’s raced in Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Arkansas and Kentucky! At time of rescue, Proper Empire, had fared the least well in the kill pen. Attacked by the other 2 stallions on top of being malnourished, Louis had nasty infected bite wounds on his left shoulder, a fractured skull, rib and was body sore all over. Not to mention the state of his teeth and feet.
Even at rescue his beauty and class shone through, this boy is in a league of his own. During his first few weeks in quarantine, he underwent almost daily vet visits, which involved painful flushing of his wounds/stitches and medications. He wins over the hearts of everyone he meets. Louis has been eating like a hippo and has already made good progress putting on weight and regaining condition. His shoulder wounds are looking incredible, healing much better than anticipated. Watch this space to follow his rehabilitation and re-training progress.
Thank you Jo Ann Spitzer for helping with Louis' monthly expenses.
Catfeinated ~ Sponsor | Rehabilitation | Future Adoptable
Name : Toffee (Jockey Club: Catfeinated
DOB: 2017
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Currently in rehabilitation and under evaluation.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, sweet natured, good for vet/farrier/grooming.
Adoption Fee: $ TBC
Catfeinated is a War Horse, he raced over 90 times over a 10 year period with 13 wins, 25 seconds and 14 thirds, earning $299,670 and retiring at age 12.
He passed through a few hands over the course of his career but his whereabouts over the past 6 years of his retirement is unknown. He was identified by his tattoo in a Texas Feedlot, emaciated with a swollen leg (chronic cellulitis).
Fellow TAA organization, Galloping Out got him out of the lot, into quarantine, safety and at the receiving end of medical care needed to set him on the road for recovery. ILEHC was asked if we could offer him the safe landing, rehabilitation care and home he deserves.
During Toffee’s new intake exam at ILEHC in March of 2025, our Veterinarian scored him a little over a 2 on the henneke scoring system (score of 1 severely emaciated > 9 extremely fat) indicating he is still very thin and has a long way to go. Toffee is a few weeks into his rehabilitation plan to get him back to peak condition and give him the peaceful retirement and loving home he deserves.
DOB: 2017
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Currently in rehabilitation and under evaluation.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, sweet natured, good for vet/farrier/grooming.
Adoption Fee: $ TBC
Catfeinated is a War Horse, he raced over 90 times over a 10 year period with 13 wins, 25 seconds and 14 thirds, earning $299,670 and retiring at age 12.
He passed through a few hands over the course of his career but his whereabouts over the past 6 years of his retirement is unknown. He was identified by his tattoo in a Texas Feedlot, emaciated with a swollen leg (chronic cellulitis).
Fellow TAA organization, Galloping Out got him out of the lot, into quarantine, safety and at the receiving end of medical care needed to set him on the road for recovery. ILEHC was asked if we could offer him the safe landing, rehabilitation care and home he deserves.
During Toffee’s new intake exam at ILEHC in March of 2025, our Veterinarian scored him a little over a 2 on the henneke scoring system (score of 1 severely emaciated > 9 extremely fat) indicating he is still very thin and has a long way to go. Toffee is a few weeks into his rehabilitation plan to get him back to peak condition and give him the peaceful retirement and loving home he deserves.
Do the Evolution ~ Sponsor | Rehabilitation | Future Adoptable
Name : Pappy (Jockey Club: Do the Evolution)
DOB: 2011
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 14.3 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Currently in rehabilitation and under evaluation.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, fun loving, good for vet/farrier/grooming.
Adoption Fee: $ TBC
We were alerted to Do the Evolution (barn name: Pappy), a 2011 Illinois bred TB gelding by fellow TAA accredited organization, RaceFund. He was found in an Oklahoma auction lot, in need of urgent medical attention. Do the Evolution is raced 18 times between 2014-2016, winning on 1 occasion.
Thanks to your support we were able to remove him from the traumatic and dangerous auction and get him on the road to recovery. Pappy is underweight, with a considerable way to go but he has a rehabilitation plan in place, is safe, happy and couldn’t be a kinder soul.
He may not have been with us long, but he already has a fan club. Please consider sponsoring Pappy to help cover his rehabilitation period.
DOB: 2011
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 14.3 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Currently in rehabilitation and under evaluation.
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, fun loving, good for vet/farrier/grooming.
Adoption Fee: $ TBC
We were alerted to Do the Evolution (barn name: Pappy), a 2011 Illinois bred TB gelding by fellow TAA accredited organization, RaceFund. He was found in an Oklahoma auction lot, in need of urgent medical attention. Do the Evolution is raced 18 times between 2014-2016, winning on 1 occasion.
Thanks to your support we were able to remove him from the traumatic and dangerous auction and get him on the road to recovery. Pappy is underweight, with a considerable way to go but he has a rehabilitation plan in place, is safe, happy and couldn’t be a kinder soul.
He may not have been with us long, but he already has a fan club. Please consider sponsoring Pappy to help cover his rehabilitation period.
Stivers Suprise ~ Sponsor | Adoptable
Name : Stivers (JC: Stivers Suprise)
DOB: 2006
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 16.1 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Kind, Quiet, Respectful, Needs reassurance in new situations, middle of the herd, good for vet/farrier
Adoption Fee: $1000
Stivers earned over $100,000 racing at Arlington, Hawthorne and Oaklawn Park. After retiring from racing, Stivers became a broodmare and remained in the care of her owner. After her owners sudden and sad passing last year, Stivers was left in need of a soft landing. Her connections reached out to ILEHC and we are happy to welcome her to the herd.
Stivers is a kind and smart girl, she has been turned out with a herd for the past few years but is clearly familiar with the snap of a carrot and rustle of a peppermint wrapper. She was quick to befriend our Alpha mare, Winnie (JC: Way to Success) and settled in with the ladies. Stiver's is presenting sound with a friendly and pleasant demeanor.
Stivers is a kind and smart girl, she has been turned out with a herd for the past few years but is clearly familiar with the snap of a carrot and rustle of a peppermint wrapper. She was quick to befriend our Alpha mare, Winnie (JC: Way to Success) and settled in with the ladies. Stiver's is presenting sound with a friendly and pleasant demeanor.
Dreamadora ~ Adoptable | Sponsor
Dreamadora, rehabilitation complete, re-training beginning
Name : Dora (Dreamadora)
DOB: 2010
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 15.1 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, bottom of the herd. Good for vet/farrier/grooming
Adoption Fee: $1250
We partnered with a fellow TAA accredited organization, RACE Fund Inc. to rescue Dreamadora from poor conditions in a Colorado kill pen (Dec 2024). Dreamadora is a 2010, KY bred Thoroughbred mare. She earned over $40k in her career, securing 5 firsts, 4 seconds and 3 thirds and 31 starts. Dreamadora is a sweet and kind mare, pleased to share she has put on weight, transformed in condition and personality during her rehabilitation.
Ask us for more Dora updates and follow her re-training journey on our social media platforms. Please consider sponsoring Dora through her rehabilitation/re-training to get her ready for her adoption.
DOB: 2010
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 15.1 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, bottom of the herd. Good for vet/farrier/grooming
Adoption Fee: $1250
We partnered with a fellow TAA accredited organization, RACE Fund Inc. to rescue Dreamadora from poor conditions in a Colorado kill pen (Dec 2024). Dreamadora is a 2010, KY bred Thoroughbred mare. She earned over $40k in her career, securing 5 firsts, 4 seconds and 3 thirds and 31 starts. Dreamadora is a sweet and kind mare, pleased to share she has put on weight, transformed in condition and personality during her rehabilitation.
Ask us for more Dora updates and follow her re-training journey on our social media platforms. Please consider sponsoring Dora through her rehabilitation/re-training to get her ready for her adoption.
Viva Vizcaya - Sponsor | Adoptable
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Name : Viva (JC: Viva Vizcaya)
DOB: 1999
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Easy to handle, respectful, kind, loves attention, great for vet/farrier/grooming
Adoption Fee: $1000
Viva Vizcaya is a 1999 Illinois bred OTTB, he ran in 33 races, winning only one but went onto a fulfilling second career as a fox hunter, spanning 10 years. Viva will be enjoying some rehab and rest time over the coming months and will be a future adoptable for the right partner. Watch this space for more info on Viva.
DOB: 1999
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16.2 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Easy to handle, respectful, kind, loves attention, great for vet/farrier/grooming
Adoption Fee: $1000
Viva Vizcaya is a 1999 Illinois bred OTTB, he ran in 33 races, winning only one but went onto a fulfilling second career as a fox hunter, spanning 10 years. Viva will be enjoying some rehab and rest time over the coming months and will be a future adoptable for the right partner. Watch this space for more info on Viva.
Boomer - Sponsor
Name : Boomer (Press Play)
DOB: 1997
Breed: Swedish Warmblood
Color: Dark Bay
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Sponsor
General Demeanor: Been there/Done that/Got the t-shirt, Boomer loves grooming and attention. Perfect for vet/farrier. Works hard training volunteers.
Boomer is a 28 year old Swedish Warmblood gelding. This sweet senior had a full career strutting his stuff in the hunter/jumper circuits. He found a soft landing with ILEHC when his owners were no longer in a position to care for him. Boomer now enjoys his time as an ILEHC mascot, dressing up and greeting visitors. Please consider sponsoring this wonderful boy.
DOB: 1997
Breed: Swedish Warmblood
Color: Dark Bay
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Sponsor
General Demeanor: Been there/Done that/Got the t-shirt, Boomer loves grooming and attention. Perfect for vet/farrier. Works hard training volunteers.
Boomer is a 28 year old Swedish Warmblood gelding. This sweet senior had a full career strutting his stuff in the hunter/jumper circuits. He found a soft landing with ILEHC when his owners were no longer in a position to care for him. Boomer now enjoys his time as an ILEHC mascot, dressing up and greeting visitors. Please consider sponsoring this wonderful boy.
Santini - Sponsor | Adoptable
Name : Santini
DOB: 2014
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 16.1 hh
Sex: Gelding (gelded March 2023)
Suitability: Currently under evaluation/re-training
General Demeanor: Inquisitive, playful, enjoys attention/ground work with experienced handler. Big personality with big potential.
Adoption Fee: $1000
Meet Tini (registered Jockey Club name, Santini) a 2014 Florida bred thoroughbred horse. As a yearling, Santini was sold for $100,000 at the Ocala Breeder’s sales, he was then sold once again at racing age and went onto win his maiden race at Gulfstream Park. Records show he raced in one further race. Santini had fallen into the wrong hands, hands that led to us finding Santini at at Alabama kill pen.
At rescue Santini was 1 of 3 stallions found duking it out together in the same pen. We were able to rescue Santini along with the bay, Louis. The gray stallion found a safe landing and is doing well.
Santini arrived with neglected feet, teeth and was in need of groceries. Since he arrived in ILEHC’s care, Tini has shown us just how resilient and full of personality he is. He LOVES his food, is very chatty and full of knickers and whinnies when he see’s his humans. He is already rounding out quite sufficiently ! He’s playful and a little mischievous but kind and friendly. Santini arrived with us a stallion, as part of his rehabilitation and preparation for future adoption he has recently been gelded. Watch this space for further information on his progress and future adoption.
DOB: 2014
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Chestnut
Height: 16.1 hh
Sex: Gelding (gelded March 2023)
Suitability: Currently under evaluation/re-training
General Demeanor: Inquisitive, playful, enjoys attention/ground work with experienced handler. Big personality with big potential.
Adoption Fee: $1000
Meet Tini (registered Jockey Club name, Santini) a 2014 Florida bred thoroughbred horse. As a yearling, Santini was sold for $100,000 at the Ocala Breeder’s sales, he was then sold once again at racing age and went onto win his maiden race at Gulfstream Park. Records show he raced in one further race. Santini had fallen into the wrong hands, hands that led to us finding Santini at at Alabama kill pen.
At rescue Santini was 1 of 3 stallions found duking it out together in the same pen. We were able to rescue Santini along with the bay, Louis. The gray stallion found a safe landing and is doing well.
Santini arrived with neglected feet, teeth and was in need of groceries. Since he arrived in ILEHC’s care, Tini has shown us just how resilient and full of personality he is. He LOVES his food, is very chatty and full of knickers and whinnies when he see’s his humans. He is already rounding out quite sufficiently ! He’s playful and a little mischievous but kind and friendly. Santini arrived with us a stallion, as part of his rehabilitation and preparation for future adoption he has recently been gelded. Watch this space for further information on his progress and future adoption.
The Holy One (Lizzie) - Available for Adoption
Name : The Holy One (Jockey Club: Lizzie)
DOB: 2003
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16.1 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, middle to bottom of the herd. Great for vet/farrier/grooming. Loves pampering.
Adoption Fee: $1000
The Holy One, foaled in 2003 (Holy Bull - Seattle Byline, by Slew City Slew), rescued alongside Louis and Santini from an Alabama kill lot. Lizzie arrived with us underweight and in poor body condition, however in the few months she has been with us is already gaining weight and looking rehabilitating very well. Lizzie, is a stakes winner, out of 11 starts she won 5 firsts and 2 seconds earning over $138,000 in her racing career. She went on to be a broodmare, having 3 foals. Lizzie is an incredibly sweet, kind and smart mare and would make an excellent horse and human companion/partner.
DOB: 2003
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16.1 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, Trail and Pleasure mount
General Demeanor: Kind, respectful, quiet, smart, middle to bottom of the herd. Great for vet/farrier/grooming. Loves pampering.
Adoption Fee: $1000
The Holy One, foaled in 2003 (Holy Bull - Seattle Byline, by Slew City Slew), rescued alongside Louis and Santini from an Alabama kill lot. Lizzie arrived with us underweight and in poor body condition, however in the few months she has been with us is already gaining weight and looking rehabilitating very well. Lizzie, is a stakes winner, out of 11 starts she won 5 firsts and 2 seconds earning over $138,000 in her racing career. She went on to be a broodmare, having 3 foals. Lizzie is an incredibly sweet, kind and smart mare and would make an excellent horse and human companion/partner.
Way to Success (Winnie) - Sponsor | Adoptable
Name : Way to Sucess (Winnie)
DOB: 2016
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, currently in re-training and evaluation under-saddle
General Demeanor: Kind, Confident, Alpha mare who bonds with her people. Great for vet/farrier/grooming. Loves pampering. Appreciates a quietly confident and experienced human partner.
Adoption Fee: $1000
Way to Success (Winnie - a name selected by ILEHC volunteers) is a 16 hand, bay thoroughbred mare, last raced in 2020. Winnie had 7 starts but proved to be an impressive racehorse winning over $33,000 and placing in 5 of those races. An injury sustained during her racing career led to her early retirement and owner relinquishment. Winnie is still full of spirit and now enjoys kicking up her heels in the mare paddock and being pampered by ILEHC volunteers. Winnie is proving to be a sweet girl who very much enjoys love, attention and.... treats. Winnie is currently in retraining and evaluation.
DOB: 2016
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Dark Bay
Height: 16 hh
Sex: Mare
Suitability: Companion, currently in re-training and evaluation under-saddle
General Demeanor: Kind, Confident, Alpha mare who bonds with her people. Great for vet/farrier/grooming. Loves pampering. Appreciates a quietly confident and experienced human partner.
Adoption Fee: $1000
Way to Success (Winnie - a name selected by ILEHC volunteers) is a 16 hand, bay thoroughbred mare, last raced in 2020. Winnie had 7 starts but proved to be an impressive racehorse winning over $33,000 and placing in 5 of those races. An injury sustained during her racing career led to her early retirement and owner relinquishment. Winnie is still full of spirit and now enjoys kicking up her heels in the mare paddock and being pampered by ILEHC volunteers. Winnie is proving to be a sweet girl who very much enjoys love, attention and.... treats. Winnie is currently in retraining and evaluation.
Red Match (Red) - Sponsor | Sanctuary
Name : Red (Jockey Club: Red Match)
DOB: 1999
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 15 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion
General Demeanor: Kind, fun loving, can escalate in temperament so requires an experienced handler.
Red is a 1999, 15.3 hand, bay Thoroughbred, gelding. The ILEHC rescued Red from a kill buyer in December 2015. Red was on his way to slaughter in Mexico when the ILEHC was able to secure his last minute rescue along with that of his buddy, a senior Thoroughbred mare, named Around Marry Lou.
DOB: 1999
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Height: 15 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion
General Demeanor: Kind, fun loving, can escalate in temperament so requires an experienced handler.
Red is a 1999, 15.3 hand, bay Thoroughbred, gelding. The ILEHC rescued Red from a kill buyer in December 2015. Red was on his way to slaughter in Mexico when the ILEHC was able to secure his last minute rescue along with that of his buddy, a senior Thoroughbred mare, named Around Marry Lou.
Veloce - Sponsor
Name : Veloci (Jockey Club: Veloci)
DOB: 1997
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Gray
Height: 15 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion
General Demeanor: Kind beyond measure, Veloci is a longstanding sanctuary resident and a favorite among many.
Veloce is a 1997, 16.2 hand, gray Thoroughbred gelding. Veloce is a super sweet guy who just loves attention! Very quiet and easy going. Veloce has advanced melanomas, common in our gray horses and is living his best life as a sanctuary resident at ILEHC. Please consider sponsoring our beautiful boy.
DOB: 1997
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Gray
Height: 15 hh
Sex: Gelding
Suitability: Companion
General Demeanor: Kind beyond measure, Veloci is a longstanding sanctuary resident and a favorite among many.
Veloce is a 1997, 16.2 hand, gray Thoroughbred gelding. Veloce is a super sweet guy who just loves attention! Very quiet and easy going. Veloce has advanced melanomas, common in our gray horses and is living his best life as a sanctuary resident at ILEHC. Please consider sponsoring our beautiful boy.
INTERESTED IN ADOPTING OR FOSTERING? Please see below, as it may answer some of your questions:
1. Please complete the adoption or foster application that is available at this site, under the Forms tab. Link to Forms page.
2. Return the completed adoption or foster application along with pictures of where the horse will be stabled and pictures of horse(s) you may currently have to the ILEHC. You can scan and email the form to [email protected]. You can also fax the form to 815-366-8208 and follow the prompts. The adoption or foster application will be reviewed. Please be sure to include how we should reach you with any additional questions or request for further information.
3. Adoption fees vary.
Please refer to the bios of each horse, as that will give you summary of their background, age and abilities.
1. Please complete the adoption or foster application that is available at this site, under the Forms tab. Link to Forms page.
2. Return the completed adoption or foster application along with pictures of where the horse will be stabled and pictures of horse(s) you may currently have to the ILEHC. You can scan and email the form to [email protected]. You can also fax the form to 815-366-8208 and follow the prompts. The adoption or foster application will be reviewed. Please be sure to include how we should reach you with any additional questions or request for further information.
3. Adoption fees vary.
Please refer to the bios of each horse, as that will give you summary of their background, age and abilities.