There is a plaque in the National Museum of Racing that highlights some incredible facts about Thoroughbreds…Thought that we’d share:

• Coming out of the starting gate a Thoroughbred will accelerate to 40 miles-per-hour in six strides. A Ferrari accelerates from a standing start to 60 miles-per-hour in 5 1/2 seconds; a horse can reach 42 miles-per-hour in 2 1/2 seconds.
• The force on horse’s front hoof is at its greatest point when it hits the track — about 2,500 pounds. The force on its cannon bone is 10-12,000 pounds; the bone breaks at 18,000 pounds.
• The inhales and exhales once every stride. At 0.42 seconds per stride it completes 2 1/2 breathing cycles a second.
• At full gallop the horse takes in five gallons of air per second. From that air it extracts one quart of air through its lungs, transmitting that energy-fuel throughout its bloodstream.
• From rest to top speed a horse’s heart rate increases by 10x, a man’s by only 4x.

“So the horse that walks around, eats grass, looks at the view and gives every appearance of tranquility was, in fact, designed by God to explode.”  — Dr. George Pratt

Golden Days, aka “Daisy” has spent a summer under saddle learning the basics of dressage–balance, relaxation, flexion–and she did so well that she’s even been to a show! Only weeks after starting training she went to a schooling show and finished 4th out of 12 horses! Not bad for a “newbie”!

Her foster Mom reports that she is wonderful to work with and she is quick to learn.  We’re looking for that perfect home for her–if you want a horse with some miles under it’s belt, check out Daisy!

Here’s some video of Daisy under saddle:

Here’s a link to the Flatlands Photo site — click on http://www.flatlandsfoto.com/competitionphotos/2010%20albums/Beland-080810/HTML/index.htm If you click on the link, she’s in the photo gallery labeled “Chizaukas through Coughlin” and her photos are labeled “Clapp_J.”

We just got some wonderful photos in from Miss Daisy’s foster Mom! Had to share a before-and-after moment…What a great little horse with a bright future!

Here is "Golden Days", aka "Miss Daisy" Right After Leaving Suffolk

Here's "Miss Daisy" Enjoying the Good Life

Daisy is bold, intelligent, quite a character and terrifically balanced and athletic under saddle. Whoever said that great things don’t come in small packages?



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!

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.