Retraining a Race Horse for an Off Track Career

They're seen in all their glory for the stretch run of the Breeders Cup or Kentucky Derby; or maybe just for the fourth race on a Friday. After they no longer run race horses can make good saddle horses - IF you're prepared! While Thoroughbreds are the most noted - with the OTTB in the lingo of many owners standing for Off Track Thoroughbred - there are also quarter horses, paints, appaloosas, standardbreds and arabians that race. All of these can be turned around for a solid career off the track once their racing time is over.

Before you go looking for your ex race horse honestly evaluate your skills. You will need to have a balance of firm discipline with praise. You will not be easily rattled - you will be willing to look at yourself and what YOU are doing more than the average horse owner when there's a problem.

Wrap your mind around the world of a racehorse - from the time he is roughly 18 months old he exists for speed. He was taught to carry a rider and go fast and while that may seem simplistic there's several things with that. Many know *nothing* of leg cues - if you expect instant bending around your leg do not under any circumstances even look at an ex race horse. While you can get a beautiful animal willing to run through fire for you there's also the chance of getting one who, through mishandling, is afraid because you don't exert the confidence needed to be a leader - and these horses need that. Don't equate that with domination beatings - many will not tolerate that. When a bevy of pigeons fly up and the horse spooks you need to with authority get his attention and embed in his mind you won't let something hurt him - and make good on that! Don't put him in a position where he gets hurt.