What is a Track Volunteer?
We currently have openings for 3-4 Track Volunteers for the 2010 Spring and Fall Thoroughbred meets at Indiana Downs (Shelbyville, IN) and Hoosier Park (Anderson, IN). We are needing help with supporting roles in the Track-Listing Program.

As a Friends of Ferdinand Track volunteer you will receive credentials from the Indiana Racing Commission that will grant you access to the barn areas of Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park. FFI Track Volunteers visit the tracks every weekend during the race seasons. You will walk the shed rows and network with racehorse owners and trainers who are looking to sell or donate horses that are no longer competitive racehorses.

2010 Track Photography Workshop
We have scheduled a photography workshop with equine photographer Amy Latka on Sunday, March 14, 2010.  This workshop will give you pointers on what you can do to take the best pictures of the available horses at the track.  Often times, photos don't do the horse justice, but hopefully with some helpful tips, you'll be able to capture photos that show the horse off the best.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Why Is There a Need for Track Volunteers?
Track Volunteers are lifelines for horses that are not competitive racehorses and are at-risk. You are giving these animals an opportunity to find a new home and a new job. Friends of Ferdinand volunteers take an average of 112 track listings per year, and we have a 87% success rate.

How Often are Volunteers at the Track?
As a track volunteer, you will take digital pictures of horses available for sale and gather relevant information about the horse. You will then email this information to FFI volunteers who are responsible for creating and uploading sale listing to www.friendsofferdinand.org, www.equinehits.com, and www.equinenow.com on a weekly basis.

What Do Track Volunteers See?
You will see racehorses in their morning routines - going to the track to train and exercise, playing on the walker, resting in their stalls, and being treated by the veterinarian. Sometimes volunteers are worried that they will see something that will bother them when they volunteer. These horses are valuable athletes and are treated as such. It is when they are no longer able to perform their job that they become at-risk. As an FFI volunteer you will be working within a network of people that are committed to preventing these horses from getting into situations where they are abused, neglected or slaughtered.