Horses and Their Humans (at Old Friends at Cabin Creek): A Tribute to Thoroughbred Aftercare

My mom gives Roaring Lion a pet last summer.

On this Kentucky Derby day, I figured it would be fitting to publish a post about thoroughbred aftercare. In this post, I will share photos of the horses of Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield, NY where I volunteer, and the humans whose hearts they have captured over the years. I love capturing the human-equine bond in my photos.


A visitor to the farm gives Be Bullish a pet while Patrick looks on.

Longtime volunteer Dan gives his buddy King Congie some love.

Volunteer Lexi gives a pet to Like Now.

Volunteer Heidi admires Slew’s Brew (left) and This Hard Land.

Volunteer Linda gives Be Bullish a pet while mucking his paddock.

Volunteer Linda gives Red Down South a carrot.

Volunteer Dory gives her pal Mr. Cowboy a pet.

Volunteer Mary gives two-time Whitney Handicap winner Commentator a treat.

Volunteer Heidi gives Commentator a pet.

My dad gives our new guy Bold Illusion a pet.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek owner poses with Watchem Smokey after feeding him dinner.

Volunteer Barb gives Strummer a kiss.

JoAnn shares a quiet moment with Red Down South.

Volunteer Gerette gives Doc N Roll a kiss.


Volunteer Pat gives a hug to Be Bullish at feeding time.

Dan gives Red Down South some affection.

Volunteer Dory gives King Congie a treat.

Volunteer Linda and Roaring Lion.

Mark Pepper interacts with Bold Illusion on the day he arrived at the farm.

Rachel gets to know Bold Illusion.

Rosanne Frieri gives her pal Zippy Chippy, who recently passed away just a few days shy of his 31st birthday, some shredded carrots.

JoAnn gives Zippy Chippy a hug and a kiss.

JoAnn walks Be Bullish in his paddock.

Dan gives Commentator a treat.

Volunteer Cathy gives King Congie a pet on the day of the boys’ birthday party.

And finally, here’s one with me and my buddy Red Down South.

I’ve also made some illustrations based on some of these photos:

Gerette with Bold Illusion

JoAnn and Be Bullish

Dan and Commentator

To see more of my Saratoga area photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. To see more of my equine illustrations, be sure to follow @togadoodles on Instagram. All photos and illustrations in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.

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