OTTB Myth Busting 101:

So…you’re thinking about getting an off-the-track-Thoroughbred (OTTB), but you’ve heard some things that concern you…

“They’re all lame”

“They’re all crazy”

“It will take you years to retrain one”

“OTTBs aren’t good on trails”

“OTTBs are hard keepers”

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 if you are seeking out a performance prospect. 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.

Myth #1: “They’re All Lame”

No, they’re not.

It is true that many racehorses, especially at lower-level claiming tracks like Suffolk Downs (where horses generally race frequently,) are subjected to wear and tear.

Like all performance horses, they may have health issues that a prospective buyer should consider. And even a sound horse will have to transition physically and mentally from their racing regimen to life away from the track .

But it is not the case that all OTTBs are unsound, any more than it is the case that all Quarter Horses are navicular, or all Arabs flighty.

So Why Would a Horse Be for Sale If They’re Really Sound?

Horses are individuals, and Thoroughbreds may be for sale at the track for a number of reasons, which may, or may not, be soundness-related.

One of the primary reasons that trainers sell horses is that they simply aren’t paying their way.

At a track like Suffolk Downs owners may pay $50 – 75 per day in training fees; that’s not counting vet and farrier bills, insurance, entry fees and miscellaneous expenses.

Some horses are taken into training “on the cuff”. Under such an arrangement the trainer agrees to foot the bulk of the bills in return for a sizable share of potential earnings. No earnings, no return for the trainer…Voila! A CANTER listing is born!

“Bottom-level claimers” (horses offered for a fixed price announced at the time that the horse is entered) run at many tracks for total purse money of less than $7,000.

The winner takes 60% of a purse, so if the horse is running for $7,000 the winner takes home just $4,200. Out of this pot the owner must pay vet and farrier bills, a percentage to the jockey and trainer (unless the horse is running on the cuff) and insurance and entry fees. And winnings are taxed, too…

So, owners are typically paying $1,500 or more per month in training fees alone–plus shoeing, vet, and miscellaneous costs. The horse that doesn’t win every few weeks is a liability. And most horses don’t win every few weeks.  Many never win a dime, or even make a start.

Each year there are approximately 35,000 Thoroughbreds registered with the Jockey Club. According to the newsletter of one well-known breeding operation: “One-third of all foals never make it to the track for even one race. Over one-half of those who do never win a single race.”

That leaves a lot of perfectly serviceable horses looking for “new careers”.

How Should I Evaluate a Horse at the Track for Soundness?

The Pre-Purchase Exam

• Consider the intended use of the animal and any specific concerns about the prospect that you are evaluating.
• Take into account the age, conformation, racing history, trainer, ownership history and presentation of the horse.  It’s not always the case that “younger is better”. If a horse has run for a number of years and has stayed sound, then it’s likely to remain sound once off the track.
• Remember that a “cheap” horse can cost thousands if you uncover an issue once you’ve gotten the horse home and find out that it’s not suitable. Include PPE money into your budget: what you spend may depend, in part, on how much of an examination you want done (stem-to-stern, or just joint x-rays?) and what the exam includes (if you get x-rays, scope the horse, and get bloodwork done, it adds up).
  As a starting point: have the vet do flexions and get a good set of x-rays on anything that shows up on flexion. Consider a full set of x-rays if you want to jump the horse. Ensure that heart/lungs/eyes are in order and examine the horse’s feet. Remember: no foot, no horse!
• It’s also not a bad idea to evaluate the prospect in relation to his stable mates; does he look significantly better, or worse, than the trainer’s other horses? A sad-looking horse in a shedrow of shiny and sleek runners might merit some discussion with the trainer.
• At some tracks there are vets who will do PPEs–just not on the horses of regular clients to avoid conflicts of interest. It may be more affordable to have a PPE done at the track, and you may not have the option of having a vet come onto the grounds or taking the horse off the grounds.
• Keep in mind that claiming horses may have changed hands multiple times, perhaps even running at different tracks in multiple states. So the current owner or trainer may have little or no information about the horse’s history. Consider running a start-by-start report to note any gaps in the horse’s racing history that seem unexplained. These cost about $5 and you can purchase one at brisnet.com.
• It is true that many racing Thoroughbreds do sustain injuries which may make them unsuitable for a second career, or which may limit their suitability for high-impact sports like advanced eventing, or open jumping. But not all injuries will permanently affect a horse. If the exam does reveal a problem have a frank discussion with the vet; it may be a manageable problem and one that you can live with if you love everything else about the horse.

If you are shopping for an OTTB, seek out a veterinarian experienced with Thoroughbreds coming off the track. They can offer guidance when evaluating a prospect and may have a better handle on the long-term prognosis for a horse with specific health, or soundness issues than a vet who has never tended to ex-racers.

Of course, we’re biased in our love for OTTBs…So we’d just remind you that some of the greatest competitors in equine history–horses like Might Tango and The Jones Boy, to name just two–were failed racers. Some had old injuries: Bill Steinkraus’ Olympic horse Snowbound suffered a bowed tendon and went on to win a gold medal.

Good luck finding your next horse–and remember–you might just find the horse of a lifetime in your local shedrow!

And stayed tuned for more “myth busting”!