Help Us Help Them
Caring for the daily needs of retired racehorses is not a simple and expense-free task. We depend on donations from a variety of sources, and any contribution large or small is greatly appreciated. You can help too.
For the Horses, For the People,
For the Future
Old Friends Japan is an off-track Thoroughbred aftercare organization. Our focus is on retraining able-bodied horses for use in equestrian sports, and using for tourism and other purposes those horses that are not suitable for equitation.
Dignified Retirement in Hiruzen
The Hiruzen area, with its temperate climate, clean water and green pastures, is the perfect environment for horses. Come and enjoy the splendor of seeing our Thoroughbreds running around freely.
Easy Access Location
Old Friends Japan is part of Hiruzen Horse Park, an equestrian facility in Hiruzen, Okayama Prefecture. The perfect distance from major cities like Osaka and Hiroshima, Hiruzen is a popular tourist destination. Apart from seeing our Thoroughbreds, you can enjoy feeding and riding ponies.
Where it all began
Since early childhood I’ve been surrounded by horses. My father gave me a pony when I was six, and ever since then my life has been with horses. Through them I’ve been blessed to come to know many people around Japan and the world. My success is intertwined with them, and it is with a sense of gratitude that about 10 years ago I started thinking about how I can contribute to the aftercare of racehorses.
Now, thanks to the support of Mr. Michael Blowen, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), the Japan Racing Association (JRA), Maniwa City, and countless others, Hiruzen has become a place where people can come and meet off-track Thoroughbred racehorses. These animals are athletes in their own right, and they have trained and worked hard. For some of these champions it will be a comfortable retirement surrounded by adoring fans, for others it will be helping us to educate future generations of young riders. I am always impressed by these horses’ characters, by their determination and hard work. With them the possibilities are endless.
Kiichi Harada is a Japanese dressage rider and manager of the Hiruzen Horse Park. Representing Japan, he competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and more recently in 2020, won the FEI CDI4* Grand Prix in Florida.
Who is
Old Friends Equine
Old Friends is a nonprofit equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, the organization has grown from a leased paddock and one horse to a 236-acre farm, a herd of around 300 rescued and retired horses, and several satellite facilities.
Our Mission
Old Friends Equine in Kentucky, USA, provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbred racehorses through a campaign of education and tourism promoting these once celebrated horses. A “living history museum of horse racing”, they hope also to raise awareness of all equines in need.
Old Friends Japan builds the future while honoring the past.
We, Old Friends Japan, not only got our name from Old Friends Equine, but we also share their mission and pioneering legacy. For off-track Thoroughbreds, retired from racing and stud duties most often does not mean retired for good. These former racehorses bring value to our local communities. We employ them in the education of future generations of riders and handlers, as well as give our guests opportunities to see and interact with them.
Trivia
The Logo Of
Old Friends Japan
Hiruzen is horse country. Centered around the image of the characteristic three peaks of the Hiruzen mountains, our logo also features a left facing horse, which is considered good luck.
A Brief History Of
Horse racing in Hiruzen
For a brief time at the start of the Showa Era (1926-1989) horse races were held at Kayabeno in Hiruzen.
A Brief History Of
Horses in Hiruzen
During the Meiji era (1868-1912) Hiruzen was home to hundreds of war horses. Under the “War Horse Replenishment Unit Ordinance” issued in 1900, the “Daisen Branch Asashi River Office” training facility for war horses stretching 28km was established, with between 300 to 400 horses on site at any point in time.
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