The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced July 14 that it has granted $200,000 to 18 equine rescue groups across the country to assist their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate retired racehorses.

The grants were awarded as part of the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative, a program that launched in 2010 and provides funding for equine rescues and sanctuaries that protect retired racers. Now in its seventh year, the program has awarded more than $2 million to help prepare ex-racehorses for life after their racing careers end.

“The ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative allows us to provide much-needed grant funding to the many equine rescue groups around the country who provide critical resources to former racehorses,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. “Their racing careers may have ended, but these retirees still have much to offer as they transition into new and varied careers—a process that requires significant time and resources.”

Selected recipients are located in 12 states and will each be awarded a grant ranging from $5,000 to $24,000 to help the groups increase their capacity for rescuing more horses