ACTT Naturally

23/11/2025

After nearly a month on lockdown, Budder got some time out with his buddies today. His follow up went well and his foot is healing well.
Again thank you everyone for your well wishes, donations, and support.

19/11/2025

Today we welcomed 3 year old NY Bred Brenchley.

He raced twice and let everyone know he wasn’t interested in racing. Looking forward to having fun with the handsome dude!

13/11/2025

Today we honor our veterans for their selfless service to our country. I took this photo a couple of years ago at ACTT Naturally's Hearts in Harmony program in Cambridge, NY. There, I had the opportunity to see the power of equine assisted learning as OTTBs and veterans bonded through natural horsemanship.

© Samantha Decker. All rights reserved.

05/11/2025

ACTT Naturally is proud to be among the amazing organizations accredited with the TAA.
We appreciate all of the work they do for us.

28/10/2025

* New Update on Budder:

HE'S HOME!!! After Budder's surgery he had a shoe put on with a plate to cover the area where the mass was removed.
The plate comes off every day and the area is re-packed with gauze pads and iodine to keep things clean. He is now required to be on stall rest for 4-6 weeks. I have a very large stall (more of a pen) in the barn and his friends are keeping him company.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has donated, you know who you are and I appreciate everyone's support. Helping to take the financial stress off of my shoulders helps me focus on getting Budder back to his best self.

ACTT Naturally is a 501c3 not for profit organization.
We retrain and re-home thoroughbred race horses, leaving their racing careers behind. While in our care, many of our horses participate in our Hearts in Harmony Equine assisted learning programs, where we connect veterans and their families, first responders, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other sources of trauma that have affected their lives. 
We had 5 horses adopted into great homes this summer.

Now one of our own needs help.

Budder had a keratoma mass in his foot which was successfully removed yesterday. I visited him at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital today and he was pretty sad.
His prognosis for a full recovery is good.
His veterinary bill will cost about as much as it takes to feed the herd for a month.

I’m asking you to please make a donation if you are able to. I know times are tough for all of us.
Any amount will help.
Budder has spent the last 15 years helping people heal and now needs help himself.
Donations can be made through our website
www.acttnaturally.org
Thanks to those who have already donated and to our monthly donors.
We appreciate all of the support we receive.
Thank you,
Valerie

27/10/2025

Our sweetest boy Budder is at Rood and Riddle equine clinic today for a scheduled surgery.
I’ll share more after I know he’s out of surgery and the details from the surgeon.
Budder aka Three Lions was unsuccessful in his racing career, but has spent the last 15 years helping people heal through his empathy and wisdom
The high end of the financial point of view is $3000.
We would like to ask you, if you are able, to make a donation for his care at our website www.acttnaturally.org
Thank you.

24/10/2025

ACTT Naturally is so very proud to be a part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and appreciate their amazing support in caring for our OTTB’s.
We stand with many organizations throughout the country ensuring that these athletes find a place to go and be cared for once their racing careers have ended.

🚨 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced today that 49 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation for 2025.

The 49 organizations include 40 organizations who are continuing their accreditation and 9 that earned accreditation for the first time this year. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the gold standard and only accrediting body in Thoroughbred aftercare, now has a network of 87 organizations with approximately 180 facilities in North America.

Read the full press release. 👇
https://bit.ly/4qFBh4K

16/10/2025

Sometimes I Say No.

And I need you to hear me.

My no might not be loud.
It might look like turning my head, stepping away, or standing still.
But it’s still a no. And it matters.

When I say no, I might be saying:

- “My body hurts, even if you can’t see it.”
- “Something feels off, and I need more time.”
- “Your energy is too much right now.”
- “The environment is overstimulating or unsafe.”
- “I’m confused, and I don’t understand what you want.”
- “I have memories in my body that haven’t healed yet.”
- “I don’t feel connected to you in this moment.”
- “I have a headache.”
- “I trust you enough to be honest.”

No doesn’t mean I’m disobedient.
No doesn’t mean I’m difficult.
No doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

It means I’m communicating the only way I know how.
And when you listen—without force, without frustration—
You become the kind of partner I can trust.

Because trust isn’t built through pressure.
It’s built through presence, patience, and choice.

✨ Every no you honor brings us closer to a true yes.

16/10/2025

Today we welcomed Regulatory Relief, a gorgeous unraced 2 year old French bred from the Chad Brown Stable.
He was born on May 5th so we are thinking along the lines of a Cinco de Mayo theme for a name.
Any ideas?

01/10/2025

A true treasure of the world.
Rest easy Jane.
You changed the world for so many creatures.
My one and only idol.

02/09/2025

Budder got his turn out on the trails this afternoon
He really enjoyed himself
Beautiful weather for riding!

30/08/2025

ACTT Naturally is very proud to be among the grantees of the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA)
The support we receive from the TCA is greatly appreciated and will help to keep our OTTB’s happy!