From Race Horse to Sport Horse

Taking a horse off the track does require maintenance and an understanding of the racing world in which they’ve lived. Owners will find that their personalities are more prone to be energetic and that their bodies will continue to change physically as they make the transition from a race horse into a sport horse. I often explain to buyers that if you are unable to commit to a schedule of training and work with a Thoroughbred, then do not purchase one. Ex-race horses are likely be the type of horse that is accustom to having a job, and if you cannot invest your time and money into a Thoroughbred, then you need to consider a different breed of horse that would fit into your lifestyle. I’ve discovered that if you dedicate yourself for 4 to 6 months in putting the time and training into an ex-racer, the payoff will be satisfying for you and the horse. The trick is not to become impatient, take short cuts, become intimidated or lose interest. If there is a knowledgeable horseman with Thoroughbred experience that you trust, I would definitely work with them. Bermuda and Coastal hay is traditionally known to cause impactions and doesn’t have much nutritional resources. We feed Orchard/Alfalfa hay, Timothy/Alfalfa hay or straight Alfalfa because it helps put on weight and gives the horse an added glow. As for grain, feeding something that is high in fats and feeding the correct amount is very important. Be sure that you balance the amount of food, to the amount of work the horse is in. The metabolism of a Thoroughbred will be higher and they will require more food. An important note to all horse owners whether they have a Thoroughbred or another breed is to STOP GIVING TREATS! Many people think it’s a nice way of showing the horse affection or think that they can give a treat to reinforce training. Peppermints, carrots, apples, cookies, etc., are some things people give, and I’ve found it generates bad behavior. Begging, pawing the ground, bobbing the head, kicking at the stall walls, getting into your ‘space’, being mouthy and biting or nipping is something handlers can correct – and that is usually when I’m called in to correct the bad behavior. Horses should stand quietly in the cross ties, should freely walk on a trailer, stand immobile for the farrier, stand immobile while mounting, etc. via consistent handling and use of touch and voice commands. Nothing can tick off a farrier more than to have an owner cramming peppermints down a horse’s mouth and the horse jerking its body around while the farrier struggles to keep their composure and temper. In the morning with work outs and prepping for the day’s upcoming race, the horses will be handled by a variety of people hired on the team. They’ll be with the groom, the exercise rider, the trainer and stall workers. Taking the time to watch your horse’s habits and getting to know their personality will help you understand their individual characteristics, and you can see if they are girthy, if they’re possessive of their stall space or if they enjoy interacting with people. Some Thoroughbreds will have been stabled at the track for many weeks, walking on the hot walkers and not be able to graze or have turnout time in a pasture. Be careful of the amount of time you let them graze for the first week. They’re not use to grass and you may see their manure will be very runny. The next thing to watch out for is that they may become body sore from the sudden ‘freedom’ they’re allowed to have in the field. They’re also more prone to loosing shoes if they’re running around, so make sure their shoes have clips to help secure them. At the track, the horses are not shod with clips, but rather light aluminum racing shoes. When replacing their shoes with those that have clips, be careful as to how tight your farrier makes them. Tight clips will initially make their hooves sore. Thoroughbreds can be more active in the fields so my horses go out with bell boots and splint boot