Founder and president Dayle Eldredge created Second Wind Thoroughbred Project with her mother and lifelong friend in 2015. Dayle’s grandfather was a lover of Thoroughbred racing and took Dayle’s mother to the racetrack in Miami when she was a child. She has followed horse racing ever since and is proud to be an integral part of the program to help ex-racehorses face bright futures in new “careers” or as pleasure mounts for recreational riders.

What makes the program unique is its core group of people. They were all horse-loving teens whose passion was ignited when they started riding Thoroughbreds. They all became industry experts who have had lifelong careers at the highest levels of their professions in both the racing and horse show worlds. Second Wind’s group of talented horsewomen includes a U.S. Equestrian Federation “R” hunter/jumper horse show judge who serves on state and national committees, a horse show steward, a competitive amateur hunter/jumper rider, an equine veterinarian whose client list includes Hall of Fame racehorse trainers, and Olympic dressage riders.

Second Wind is located just outside of Camden, S.C. The area’s historic Thoroughbred-focused community boasts many training centers, the Steeplechase Museum, and the South Carolina Equine Park. Second Wind is proud of its outstanding facilities at The Stables at Macburn Plantation. Its training program is enhanced by indoor and outdoor arenas and more than 5,000 acres of trails. We are also verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

As a small operation, Second Wind allows each horse the opportunity to progress at its own pace. A positive outcome for every horse is the number one priority. We are always proud of our graduates and receive many photos, videos, and updates of their accomplishments in show hunters and jumpers, eventing, fox hunting, dressage or just silly or memorable moments. We carefully screen potential adopters, and we keep track of the horses once they go on to new homes.

We typically care for about 16 Thoroughbreds at a time. Half are permanently retired in our sanctuary program; the rest are in our rehabilitation or retraining programs. We have a few very good riders who help us keep the horses in training.

Starting in the spring of 2024, we are implementing an equine program for cancer patients and survivors called Healing Through Horses. Our landlord is a local oncologist, and this new project is very dear to her heart. Dayle Eldredge had a former riding student who lost her battle with lymphoma at age 21. She is dedicating the program to this brave young lady, Teresa Watterson.