{"id":312634,"date":"2026-08-03T17:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/312634\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:08:14","slug":"after-jamaica-bay-riding-academy-closes-rescued-horses-find-new-homes-brooklyn-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/312634\/","title":{"rendered":"After Jamaica Bay Riding Academy closes, rescued horses find new homes \u2022 Brooklyn Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jamaica Bay Riding Academy, a 54-year-old Brooklyn landmark at 7000 Shore Parkway, recently closed its doors<\/a>, leaving many to wonder what happened to the roughly 50 horses that provided equestrian experiences for thousands of riders each year.<\/p>\n

About 35 of the horses were taken in by individuals, primarily throughout the New York metropolitan area and tri-state region. Many of the animals were longtime favorites among riders who frequented the well-known facility.<\/p>\n

The remaining horses are being cared for at 13 Hands Equine Rescue Inc., a nonprofit organization in Clinton Corners, Dutchess County, near the Taconic State Parkway. The organization is known for rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses in need.<\/p>\n

Founded 11 years ago by Bedford Hills business owner Mary Lou Tortorello, 13 Hands has placed each horse from the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in a 30-day quarantine period to rest, receive medical attention and begin the recovery process.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mary Lou Tortorello shares a moment with Timmy, a former Jamaica Bay Riding Academy horse undergoing rehabilitation at 13 Hands Equine Rescue, where he is being evaluated for adoption, sanctuary care or future equine-assisted learning programs.Photo courtesy of 13 Hands Equine Rescue<\/p>\n

The Jamaica Bay Riding Academy announced its closure in May, citing the retirement of its longtime horses and the end of an era for the family-run business. In a farewell message, the Danza family thanked generations of riders, staff and supporters who helped make the academy a fixture of Brooklyn\u2019s equestrian community for more than five decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter 54 unforgettable years, Jamaica Bay Riding Academy will be closing its doors,\u201d the family wrote. \u201cWhat began as a family-owned business grew into something far greater \u2014 a home, a tradition, and a place where countless memories were made.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family said the academy was \u201cnever just about riding horses,\u201d but \u201cabout connection, resilience, and community,\u201d recalling decades of lessons, competitions, friendships and time spent at the barn. They also said the academy\u2019s horses had earned a well-deserved retirement after years of service.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it is bittersweet to say goodbye, we are happy knowing they will now spend their days resting, grazing, and being cared for with the same love they have always known,\u201d the statement read. \u201cFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 54 incredible years.\u201d<\/p>\n

That next chapter is underway at 13 Hands, where the former academy horses are receiving care, evaluation and a chance to find new purpose. Tortorello explained the road ahead for the animals.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce cleared by a licensed veterinarian, they come to 13 Hands where their transformation continues. Some will go on to become partners in our Equine Assisted Learning programs for veterans and children, offering quiet strength, comfort, and connection,\u201d she said. \u201cOthers will be adopted into loving homes. And for those who need lifelong sanctuary, 13 Hands becomes home \u2014 a place where they can live out their lives in peace and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tortorello said the academy\u2019s closure marks the end of an era but not the end of the connection between horses and people.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Brooklyn riding academy is now in the past. However, we carry the torch of extraordinary power of the horse-human bond,\u201d she said. \u201cAt 13 Hands, we\u2019re not just rescuing horses \u2014 we\u2019re creating opportunities for healing on both sides of the fence. Through education and outreach, we strive to raise awareness about equine welfare and the importance of rescue efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional reporting by Meaghan McGoldrick O\u2019Neil<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Jamaica Bay Riding Academy, a 54-year-old Brooklyn landmark at 7000 Shore Parkway, recently closed its doors, leaving…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":312635,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[118225,35507,98,100,99,38494,11634,54622,118226,9,24,12,370,63],"class_list":["post-312634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn","tag-13-hands","tag-bergen-beach","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-headlines","tag-brooklyn-news","tag-fuzzy-brooklyn","tag-horses","tag-jamaica-bay","tag-jamaica-bay-riding-academy","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-news","tag-newsletter","tag-nyc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312634"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312634\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}