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This is the blog of CANTER New England. The blog will provide Thoroughbred lovers with: • Information on retirement, and transitioning horses to life post-racing Thank you for visiting! Okay, just take a gander at these gorgeous horses…Find more trainer-owned listings here  Allenda's Moon is a Stunning Gelding with Blue Blood! Cute and Arabesque!  It Was Pouring, So We Had to Take the Photo Inside--But Trust Us, He is CUTE!!!!
Figure eights on a 10M circle with flying transitions at the trot and canter. A wonderful hunter pace with exhilarating–but controlled–gallops across green fields. Gymnastic exercises over jumps and through water obstacles, adjusting strides and pace as asked…Can I simply gush a little about just how great my OTTB is??? My mare is a wonderful horse to ride: willing, balanced, athletic and game. She is fluid and pretty to watch. I know that many people dismiss OTTBs as “crazy” or “all lame” or “too hot to trail ride”…On the hunter pace I rode with a CANTER adoptive horse who happily tackled every jump–even obstacles that the warmblood cross with us refused. He never quit, and never misbehaved. He hunts regularly and happily bumps along in company–quite content to move with the pack, loving every minute of it. My OTTB has been ridden by beginners and advanced riders, and in the words of my coach “she is as much horse as you ask her to be”. She knows just how much her rider can handle, and she is careful. When I tell people that I meet that she is an ex-racer, I am often met with surprise–and puzzlement. I think that people are expecting my “crazy Thoroughbred” to be dancing on her toes and breathing fire. I know that I am not alone in adoring my OTTB. I invite you to share YOUR story of versatility, heart and partnership. Just a quick post to note that our intrepid volunteer Jeff hopped on Anastasia K on Friday night (her first time back in tack since leaving Suffolk in the fall). She was terrific! Sane, happy to have a job and unbothered by all of the other horses in surrounding paddocks going in for dinner. A pretty bay with an engaging personality, we are hoping to find her a home as a pleasure horse where she can have that intelligence cultivated and amuse a new owner with her expressive nature. Photos are coming–she looks fab! Writer Colin DeVries in the Hudson-Catskill Newspapers writes:
At least this is some measure of justice; many of you have seen pictures and video of the shocking story–scores of horses near death from neglect, and for some the rescue came too late.
What’s Your Opinion: Fair Sentence? Not Nearly Punishment Enough? Or “Shocking and Unfathomable”, as Mr. Howard seems to think?  Soaking Up the Love! This is a post from Kim Rigolini, CANTER New England’s Horse Welfare Coordinator. Kim has spent many, many hours helping Annie make the transition from race horse to riding horse and we’re grateful for her dedication…She came onto the track as Anastasia K. She was destined for great things! If you look at her pedigree, she traces back to some of the greats…on her dam’s side is Northern Dancer and Raise A Native. On her sire’s side you’ll find Storm Cat, Terlingua and the immortal Secretariat. A dark bay/brown mare foaled on April 16, 2005 in Kentucky she started 14 times, all unplaced. Like so many other TB’s that don’t get to move on to the likes of Santa Anita or Saratoga, we found her at Suffolk Downs at the end of the 2009 live racing meet in need of a new job. Her trainer simply couldn’t afford to keep her on over the winter and needed to move her out immediately. Enter CANTER New England and the generosity of people like Ellen Manley at Churchill Stables who for the past few months has opened up her heart and her “home” to this beautiful girl looking for a new job. When she first arrived at Churchill, she was underweight and in desperate need of some TLC. Along the way, she’s overcome many obstacles and proven to be quite a resilient mare. To look at her today, you would never imagine she is the same horse that arrived just a few short months ago. I have had the distinct pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with her and after much debate we’ve  She's a Gorgeous Mover! decided to call her “Annie”. To me, her name is almost ironic. I remember loving the play about “Little Orphan Annie” when I was a young girl and I can remember belting out the tunes over and over…It’s A Hard Knock Life, Maybe and of course Tomorrow. When I think about the lyrics to these songs today, I cannot help but think about my own ‘orphan Annie’. She’s had enough hard knocks for a lifetime and she is looking for her own “forever” home. While I would love nothing more than to keep her for my own, it wouldn’t be fair to her because I cannot dedicate the time needed for her to fully flourish. Annie needs someone who will give her the time and education that she wants and needs. She has become a very loving and kind mare once she learns that she can trust you. One of the most joyous things for me when I’m with her is after we’ve walked around and grazed a little and I take her in to groom her; she puts her face right on my shoulder and just rests there as if the weight of the world has been lifted. I’ve made a promise to Annie “the sun will come out tomorrow” for her. Although she hasn’t been worked under saddle much we are starting her on the lunge line and the results are what I exactly what I expected…outstanding. As of today, she’s up to 1,033 pounds and is standing at roughly 15.3 hands. Of course, it’s unknown what her full potential may be but I can tell you that she’s willing to give all she has to you once you give her all you have. If you are interested in meeting Annie, please contact CANTER New England at www.canterne.org or via e-mail at adoptions@canterne.org.
Chips…A Common Occurrence in OTTB JointsWhat are bone chips and how do they occur?
If you have looked at CANTER listings you may have noticed that it is fairly common to see Thoroughbreds listed that have bone chips, especially in the knee, or ankle joints of the front legs. In this article we’ll reference some material on bone chips and “slab fractures” to help the prospective buyer or adopter evaluating a horse with a chip injury: 1) How do these injuries occur? 2) What questions should you ask the vet about the horse’s injury 3) What the long-term prognosis might be for the horse that you are considering We have tried to gather together information from a variety of reputable sources–but, as always–no article will substitute for x-rays and a veterinary opinion on the specific horse that you are considering. So please, if you are looking at a horse known to have a knee, or ankle chip, please get a set of diagnostic films and discuss the horse’s suitability for your needs–including how much necessary treatment might cost, with a qualified veterinarian…As always: we recommend a pre-purchase exam for any as a horse as the horse may be asymptomatic at the time your are considering your purchase. How Do Bone Chips Occur?As noted in Dr. Bramlage’s quote, above: chips may be the result of bony imperfections, or the result of excessive stress on normal bone. Osteochondrosis, or “OCD”, is a fairly common in Thoroughbreds. At full racing speeds Thoroughbreds can exerts thousands of pounds of force on their bones, so mechanical injury to joints is common. The horse may tire; weakened muscles may not support proper leg alignment and the horse’s knee hyperflexes backward, or the fetlock joint snaps down too far–the result can be a flake or “chip” in that knee or ankle joint. “In 3-year-olds, knee (carpus) problems–such as carpitis (knee inflammation) and chip fractures–were the most common causes of lameness, although fetlock injuries were also important in this age group.” [1] You may also see horses with “slab fractures” in the knee if you are on the backside looking for a horse. A slab fracture is a fracture extending from one articular surface to the opposite articular surface. Horses with slab fractures show more lameness than with chip fractures, and x-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis.. What Questions Should You Ask the Vet?If you are looking at a horse with a chip, or slab fracture it is important to consider a few things to be discussed with the trainer and with the veterinarian evaluating the animal:
The vet may need to do a series of several x-rays on the affected joint in order to get the best picture of the injured area. In evaluating the horse it is critical that the vet understand the intended use of the horse, your degree of knowledge, and willingness/ability rehabilitate a horse. Should I Even Consider a Horse with a Chip?There is no blanket “right answer” to this question. You need to take into account your circumstances, the degree of injury/impairment, the long-term prognosis, current degree of lameness, if applicable. We have seen many horses with “old chips” who go on to do just fine in second careers. Many with newer injuries have been successfully rehabilitated: in some cases after a surgery to remove the chips, in others on stall rest alone. But there are certainly cases we’ve seen where horses do not go on to second careers as a result of knee, or ankle chips. It depends upon the animal, the injury and even on that particular horse’s sensitivity to discomfort. If you are considering a horse with bone chips, be sure to discuss treatment and maintenance options with the vet during the PPE. New treatments–both surgical and pharmacological–are being developed and prospective owners have options available. Surgical Options often run into thousands; but there have been significant advances in arthroscopic surgery over the past two decades, offering many horses the chance for a return to high-performance careers. Here is a description of how arthroscopic knee surgery is often done in horses:
As noted below, other factors within the horse’s affected joint will have a bearing on long-term prognosis:
Non-Surgical options to manage the development of inflammation and arthritis in the joint that may be associated with bony injuries include the use of intra-articular injections using lubricating agents (hyaluronic acid, or “HA”) or corticosteroids. Medications frequently prescribed to address joint problems and for maintenance include: Legend, an intravenous formulation of HA which helps in joint lubrication; and polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) such as Adequan (used where there is cartilage damage, and it has also been used to prevent day-to-day loss of cartilage components) NSAIDS such as phenylbutazone (or “bute”) are used to minimize inflammation and may help to address any periodic discomfort and during the recovery process though they do not act on the bones themselves. Speak with your vet about which options would offer the horse the best outcome; they may recommend a combination of therapies. If the Chip Is “Old”, or the Horse Seems Sound…We’ve seen many CANTER buyers have a PPE done where chip(s) show up on x-ray on an otherwise asymptomatic horse. The vet examines the films to find that there many be one or more chips–whether old “set” chips, or newer bone damage that is not causing a significant lameness but may explain a horse’s less than stellar racing form. In fact, Bramlage notes: “Estimates place the prevalence that a horse will have a chip fracture in one of its joints sometime in its life between 20 percent and 50 percent. About 15 percent of horses have some type of chip that occurs during adolescent play and spontaneous competition, even before they begin training.” Bramlage notes that bony fragments can often be sequestered and neutralized–much as a pearl is formed when an irritant is introduced into the oyster’s shell. As noted in the article from McIlwraith, an important influencing factor is the condition of the cartilage. If there is minimal damage and the chip is non-articular, stable and not causing discomfort or lameness, the vet may “green light” the prospect for your intended use. Some Reference Articles: Bone Chips in Joints (www.thehorse.com does require registration to access articles free of charge) Bone Chips Fall Into Different Categories Traumatic Joint Injuries and Disease Treating early osteoarthritis-Orally administration hyaluronic acid can be a new arrow in practioner’s quiver, but few efficacy studies exist (an older article, but interesting info on use of HA in joints) References: 1. “Racing Toward Injury”, by: Ray Geor, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, September 01 2002, Article # 3787 on www.thehorse.com 2. Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, LLC website 3. “Traumatic Joint Injuries and Disease”, C. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, Orthopedic Research Center, Colorado State University It’s a difficult thing for many prospective owners to see a racing-fit horse and imagine how that horse might look after letting down from the track–putting on a bit of weight and re-muscling. We just got these wonderful pictures of a cute mare; we’ll use these photos to illustrate some ways in which your horse’s shape may change once they are away from the track. Do keep in mind: racing Thoroughbreds were bred for speed, and the functional demands of the sport have shaped the breed over the centuries. Not all of the qualities of a good racehorse necessarily equate to the “ideal” proportions and physical makeup desired for other disciplines, though the oft-cited appeal of Thoroughbreds centers, in part, on their versatility. That said, keep in mind the job for which you are selecting the horse and pay close attention to the physical attributes of the prospect that you are evaluating as compared to the demands of the discipline. What Does the “Ideal” Horse Look Like?So you are at the track, or on the farm evaluating a fresh-off-the-track OTTB and you wonder how this racing-fit, lean machine will look after some time on the farm? It’s often a difficult leap, especially if you are not accustomed to seeing Thoroughbreds in training. This article is aimed at helping you focus in on key areas of the horse’s conformation meriting special attention when evaluating an OTTB. A Rule of Thumb First, look at the proportions of the horse: a good rule of thumb is to imagine the horse being divided into thirds. Shoulder/neck/head…body…hip/flanks. They should be roughly equal. Ideally, the horse is built “uphill”, with the wither higher than the croup. And the horse should have a well-sprung ribcage, good width to the pelvis and feet that are proportional to the size and build of the horse. When evaluating the skeletal construction and conformational strengths/weaknesses of the prospect here are a few key areas to consider:
So Let’s Start with the “Before” Photos…
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 In the interest of setting the record straight, we’re embarking on a little “myth busting”.Over the next few weeks we’ll talk about the myths–and the realities–of acquiring and retraining horses off the track.By the way: CANTER strongly urges anyone who is considering a horse off the track to have a pre-purchase exam done to ensure that the horse they are considering is suitable for the job that it will be asked to do. It can save you heart ache, and it’s only fair to the horse to understand any potential limitations.
We also suggest that you consider professional training assistance if you are not experienced with OTTBs.These are (generally) green horses that have been trained to do a job that’s likely quite different than what you’ll be asking of it… All this said: there are thousands of talented, sane, gorgeous OTTBs out there just waiting for a chance to shine once their racing days are over. |
“It Will Take You Years to Retrain One!”
No, it won’t…if you have the requisite skills, time to devote to retraining, realistic goals and patience.
Start Where the Horse’s Head Is…
When considering how much of a project it is to retrain an OTTB, it is important to understand the horse’s frame of reference and experience.
OTTBs train most mornings, but their daily work generally involves walking to the track, jogging the wrong way for a quarter mile and turning to gallop off for a mile, give or take. Exercise riders are off of the horses back, and are usually not asking the horse to go on the bit. All horses on the track, with the exception of the horses jogging along the rail to start off their work, are going in the same direction and horses give each other a wide berth unless they are specifically working horses against one another in speed drills.
At a minimum, a prospective owner should educate themselves these basics of racehorse training, understanding what their normal routine involves and what challenges the trainer has encountered while working with the horse. If possible, speak with the horse’s groom and exercise rider too. They have very close contact with the horse and may be able to relate very important information about the horse’s temperament that will give you insight into potential challenges you could face away from the track.
Think about how much of a transition you’re expecting in what the horse’s new job will be…Are you seeking to ride in the ring most days? Are you seeking a happy trail buddy? Do you need a horse to master three-phase eventing? Is your goal to produce a winning equitation horse? Different goals, different levels of retraining required.
The “Who” Is Just As Important As the “What”
As you think about your long-term goals, it’s helpful to think about the specific skills that your horse needs to master in order to be successful at their new job…But, the experience level of the person undertaking the retraining is critical: and perhaps–more than any single factor–it can influence the duration and difficulty involved in the retraining process.
Since most OTTBs are available at modest prices, think about including some training money in your “acquisition budget”. Dig into the literature on online information about retraining OTTBs and consider committing to a routine for the first month or two that you work with your new horse. Be predictable and patient. And remember: even if you have retrained an OTTB in the past, they are all individuals and your experience with one may not be the experience that you have with another. A careful assessment of the horse’s personality, base level of training and physical state at the outset is an important starting point as you formulate a retraining plan.
(As a side note: we don’t recommend pairing a green horse and a green rider; so an OTTB coming directly from the track may not be the best choice for a child’s first horse, nor for a rider looking to get “back into horses”.)
Realistic Expectations
You wouldn’t expect a green horse to be “show ready” in a matter of a couple of months, but prospective OTTB owners often come to the track with the idea that they can take a prospect fresh-off-the-track horse for a few weeks and “get the track out of them”.
Apart from the psychological adjustment from track to farm, OTTBs are making a major physical adjustment to life away from the track…They are often very fit, with specific muscular development borne of explosive acceleration and brief periods of hard exertion. Contrast the physical transformation your are seeking in your OTTB with the muscular development that would be required of a green horse that had been standing in a field before coming into work…You aren’t starting from the same psychological or physiological baseline with an OTTB, green though they may be!
Mental Milestones Are Just As Important As Physical Achievements!
When you first bring your horse home, think about setting goals that are small, but attainable. And balance physical and mental milestones: exposure to new psychological challenges is every bit as important as working to reshape your horse’s physique.
What are reasonable goals for your horse? It’s impossible to give a good across-the-board answer to this question. Your horse may be young and fit and have raced only once or twice…he may be an old campaigner who has spent a number of years at the track, or, he could be coming off of an injury and require a program of rehabilitation.
The physique, metabolism and psyche of these three types of horses is likely to be very different, and require completely different approaches to retraining.
Whatever the program you decide on, remember to note milestones and consider regular photos and videotape. It’s often hard to see a transformation taking place if you are around your horse day in and day out…Having a record of your progress is both educational and motivational.
A Few Basic Tasks to Master
No matter what your long-term goals for your new horse, there are a few essentials involved in the transition for almost any OTTB. Many of these retraining tasks are significant because they can help to ensure the horse’s long-term safety and health.
A few notable “essentials” to master:
As we’ve noted in previous posts, horses at the track are often unaccustomed to saddles with rigid trees and may be sensitive to this pressure at first.While properly fitting tack is critical, the horse may still be somewhat “cold backed” initially.When first saddling an OTTB consider putting the girth on loosely and walking the horse–tightening one hole at a time–in order to minimize stress on the horse’s back.You may opt to lunge your horse to warm up his back, as well; just remember to balance time in both directions and keep in mind that lunging will be difficult for most OTTBs at first as they are often unbalanced when first coming off the track.
We’ve written about the introduction to cross-ties in previous articles and we won’t rehash all of that here, but it is important to note that horses at the track are not cross-tied. They are tied in their stalls while being groomed and saddled for their morning work. Careful introduction to cross-ties is important for your safety and your horse’s safety.
Proper introduction to turnout is also critical. Sadly, we’ve heard of cases where a new owner has taken a horse directly from the track and turned them loose in a large field only to have the horse injure themselves by running through a fence.
Remember that turnout is a new sensation to a horse coming from the racetrack, where 22-23 hours per day are spent in the stall. Do not assume that your new OTTB is familiar with anything but board fencing and walk the fence line with them before turning them out.
Electric tape-only fencing is not usually a suitable option for a horse coming from the track, nor is barbed wire ever a good option around horses.
In order to make these lessons successful, we suggest some safety precautions: as always, wear proper head gear; clear the area where you are mounting up of any debris which might pose a hazard–such as horses, wheel barrows, or rakes. Have a spotter on the ground available to assist you.
You may want to lunge, or at least turn your horse out for a time, to help release any excess energy before practicing mounting exercises.
Many OTTBs are reactive to the sound of horses coming up behind them, or to the sight of a horse coming straight at them.While the eventual goal is to have your horse relaxed and paying attention to your aids no matter what is happening around you, working your OTTB with a limited number of horses, initially, may enable the horse to remain calm and focused.
Master relaxation one challenge at a time and expose your horse to other, new situations based on their stress level and be sure to review the tasks that your horse has mastered periodically as you progress.
Is your horse spooked by horses coming up behind him? Work in a controlled setting to master his anxiety–before you expose him to any other stresses. Keep initial training sessions short and remember that you must be relaxed if your horse is to be relaxed.
Is your new OTTB upset if horses are coming at him head-on? Consider starting with exercises at the walk, increasing the pace and bringing the horses closer as your OTTB becomes more relaxed seeing a horse coming head-on.
If, there is a specific problem that you just can’t resolve, consider getting help. It is not worth having you, or your horse, injured.
Even if you are not planning on traveling much with your new horse, for safety’s sake it is important that your new OTTB become at ease with loading/unloading on your trailer (or the type of trailer that you’d likely use in the event of an emergency).
The last thing that you want to be faced with is a colicking or injured horse that is fighting you because they won’t get on the trailer to head to the veterinary hospital.
If you are not experienced training a horse to load, consider getting an experienced trainer, or friend to assist.
Remember to allocate plenty of time for practice and don’t forget that patience is key. Build these lessons into your regular routine until your horse is at ease, both loading and standing in the trailer.
Going backwards and sideways at the racetrack isn’t encouraged…at least not that we’ve ever seen. That said, for safety’s sake a rider must teach their mount to respond to, and move away from leg pressure, in any direction required.
Getting this lesson down pat before you embark on your first trail ride is critical. Start on the ground if the horse seems confused or reluctant under saddle. The important thing is that you feel able to control the horse’s movement safely and predictably before you head out to face new challenges.
Remember the “OTTB Advantage!”
OTTBs are noted for their intelligence; over the years we’ve had countless owners tell us that “once my horse learned a lesson, I never had to repeat it.” Give your horse the opportunity to master new skills at a comfortable pace and they will build confidence in themselves, and in you. The end result of careful and patient training at the start is often a less reactive horse in any new situation at the end of the day.
Okay, Okay…So How Long Will This All Take?
No one can confidently say “Oh…retraining an OTTB takes six months…” (or three months, or three years, for that matter). We’ve seen horses win ribbons at shows just six weeks after leaving the track. We’ve also seen horses that took a full year or more to relax away from the track.
In the final analysis, we often see that the key to a smooth, successful transition centers on: 1) understanding where your horse’s major “road blocks” lie, be they physical or mental; 2) setting out a consistent plan for tackling them in a manageable, enjoyable training program that builds on success, and 3) adapting your training plan to meet the horse’s evolving physical and psychological needs.
And perhaps we should have said this first: but know that your horse’s underlying character will also have a big part to play in the pace of retraining. If you appreciate raw talent in a particular horse, but note that the animal is more reactive than usual, chances are that your path to the show ring may be longer than if you were to choose a less flashy, but more settled horse–even if that mount may lack a bit in raw talent.
Deciding what trade-offs you are willing to make as you consider how much retraining an OTTB takes is important to a successful partnership. In the end we often see that OTTB owners enjoy the retraining as much as the end goal.
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