As racehorses, Standardbreds have two distinctive gaits, trotting and pacing. When trotting the legs on opposite sides of the body work together – the right front leg and back left leg go forward at the same time while the left front leg and right rear leg would be going backwards. In pacing the legs on the same side of the body work together. In simple terms, Standardbreds are the racehorses that are guided by a driver sitting in a cart (sulky) behind them rather than Thoroughbreds or Quarter Horses which are ridden by a jockey.

In terms of size Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds tend to be roughly the same size. On the whole Standardbreds are known to have a gentle disposition and are relatively easy to train for other disciplines. Part of OSAS's mandate is to expose the versatility of the breed to those looking for a riding or competition horse.

In the mid 1990s, a group of concerned people who worked in the Standardbred industry in Ontario, led by then OHHA general manager Reed Lawson, put together a committee tasked with finding a solution for retired Standardbreds in need of homes once their racing and/or breeding careers were finished. That led to the formation of the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society in 1996. An approved charitable organization, OSAS has been the officially recognized adoption agency for Standardbreds in the province for close to three decades.

After reviewing the list of horses available elsewhere on our website, give us a call (905) 854-6099, 905-339-6748 (cell) or email osasadmin@bellnet.ca to obtain further information. We strive to keep our website and the list of horses available as up to date as possible but this can change on a daily basis.  This also gives us an opportunity to assess exactly what you will be using the horse for – pure pleasure, competing, showing, companion, etc., to find the perfect match.

Following this you will be directed to complete the adoption application, following which you can visit the horses we feel are best suited for you.

Once the paperwork is completed arrangements will be made for one of OSAS’s many guardians or staff will complete a site inspection of your property (or the property where the horse will live) to ensure it adheres to the conditions outlined on the site inspection document. Once that has completed to the satisfaction of all, the horse will be transported to that facility. Follow ups will be done on a regular basis to ensure the horse’s health and well being are maintained. This aspect is now much easier these days as adoptees can share photos of their horses with OSAS via social media, email, etc. 

After three successful follow ups, the ownership of the horse transfers to the adoptive owner under a special provision noted by Standardbred Canada that does not allow the horse to be raced or bred. The adoptive owner is totally responsible for the horse should the need arise for him to be moved elsewhere. OSAS will only intervene in the event of extremely extenuating circumstances.

Do you have a question? Please click HERE and we will post the answer here shortly.