92 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
as many without. Horses frequently retire for other reasons than
just soundness. A reputable re-homing or re-training program will
disclose all the information they have available to them regarding
soundness issues prior to you completing the transaction. Also
consider the fact that some conditions that may render the horse
unsuitable for racing may have no impact whatsoever on its
potential use in a new career. Check with your vet if unsure of
certain conditions and the implications for intended use or have
the horse vet checked prior to adopting/buying.
All Thoroughbreds will bolt --
That’s a bit like saying all dogs bite – given the right
circumstances, any animal will react in a way that is out of
character or in an unexpected manner. More ponies bolted with
me as a child than all the Thoroughbreds combined in the past 25
years of riding them professionally. Horses, regardless of breed,
are large animals with a fight instinct. With correct training from
the ground up, bolting should not even be in their repertoire.
About the writer: Lisa Molloy is a trainer for ReRun Inc. and
Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue. She owns fve OTTB’s and has
successfully placed over 350 Thoroughbreds in homes. Her blogs,
including horses available for adoption, appear on the “Tails &
Trails” blog on the Sidelines website.
By Lisa Molloy
ReRun Inc./Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
Many times over the years I’ve been contacted by prospective
adopters that have had a slew of questions, many originating
from fables told around the barn about what it’s like to own an Off
the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB). While I always try my best to
alleviate any concerns, I also like to be pragmatic and make sure
any adopter is realistic in their expectations of what owning, riding
and caring for a Thoroughbred entails. Going into an adoption with
the rose tinted spectacles lifted means the actual match making
process between horse and owner has a higher rate of success
and is a better situation for all concerned. So I will try to dispel a
few myths that surround this glorious breed.
They are all “hot” and “crazy” --
Actually no – one of the leading misconceptions about
Thoroughbreds is that they are all wild, crazy and hard to handle.
Just like people, they all come with their own individual character
traits and personalities – no two horses are the same. Treated
on an individual basis with socialized turnout, correct balanced
feeding and a regular training program, some can even be
described as downright lazy. With correct transitioning from the
track, Thoroughbreds are one of the kindest, smartest, most
versatile breeds in the world.
You are in love with the idea of owning your own
Secretariat --
Anyone can see and appreciate the majestic nature of a
Thoroughbred, be it running in the pasture or running on the track.
As with any animal, the reality of owning one can be a lot different.
Boarding, feeding, shoeing, routine vet work plus any emergency
vet calls all come at a price and it’s not cheap and can quickly eat
into any budget. Have realistic expectations of what is involved
in owning and training an ex-racehorse. Most are not suitable as
child mounts, for novice riders or frst-time horse owners. Although
the horse is broke to ride, it should be considered green broke in
terms of general riding. Typically horses available via adoption
programs are not fnished horses and will require additional
training and re-schooling.
Thoroughbreds are poor keepers --
My own horses must have missed the memo on that one! When
a horse retires from training, they have a high percentage of
muscle and low percentage of body fat. Fed correctly – low sugar
and starch with high fat -- the muscle can be quickly replaced
with body fat. Feed volume will be greater to start with but as
the metabolism slows and more fat is laid down, the food intake
can gradually be reduced to a maintenance level. Of course there
are always exceptions to the rule due to body type, activity level,
quality of hay and pasture available.
All retired racehorses have soundness issues --
Yet another widely held belief that is unequivocally untrue.
Although there are plenty with soundness issues, there are just
e
From the “Tails & Trails” Blog on the Sidelines Website
Fall in love with an OTTB
Photo by Bob Fisher Photography