4yo, fresh of the track TB with the body of a 2/3yo

[cswoodlandfairy]

I just got a recent TB in. He turn 4 in March but looks like a w/3 yo old. His front teeth are so tiny and his molars aren’t in yet. I have no plans to get on him for 6 months as his body resets and hopefully grow, he’s quiet butt high. What can I feed to help him get his body back on track while he grows and fills out?

Right now he gets 3lbs of TC Senior Gold 2x a day, a large (3qt scoop) of soaked alfalfa cubes and unlimited hay. He also gets a cup of canola oil and Aloe juice

Photo for good measure!!

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[Amy3996]

@cswoodlandfairy

I just got a recent TB in. He turn 4 in March but looks like a w/3 yo old. His front teeth are so tiny and his molars aren’t in yet. I have no plans to get on him for 6 months as his body resets and hopefully grow, he’s quiet butt high. What can I feed to help him get his body back on track while he grows and fills out?

Right now he gets 3lbs of TC Senior Gold 2x a day, a large (3qt scoop) of soaked alfalfa cubes and unlimited hay. He also gets a cup of canola oil and Aloe juice

The current feeding program looks great - low NSC, high fat, quality protein. From the photo you attached, he doesn’t look bad for a young 4yo newly off the track. The best thing you can do is ensure he has plenty of quality forage and turnout. The rest is just time. Try to resist the urge to “feed him up.” It often does more harm than good.

[JB]

Yep, that’s a GREAT diet. Keep doing that, with good forage, and he’ll be such a different horse in 6 months

[endlessclimb]

I think your feeding program looks great. The only thing I would change is - ride him! Long hacking out. WTC on a loose rein. Just mess around, no pressure, nice and easy. No need to give him 6 months completely off.

[blue_heron]

He is quite cute. I agree with everyone else that his diet looks good. I would also start some riding or in hand work. Have him follow a trusted trail horse or do some leg yields, shoulder in, turns on the forehand/haunches on the ground. Long lines if you know how and trust him.

[beowulf]

Congrats on your new boy. He is so cute, that big blaze

I don’t see anything wrong with his body in the picture, although it’s not at the best angle to judge. That looks like a fairly typical body for a ‘racehorse flunky’. He has an adorable face.

Sounds like you are on the right track with his feeding program. Get his feet fixed up and he should be ready to go!

[cswoodlandfairy]

Thank you! While I wont be riding him for 6mths, I will be working on ground work with him during this time. Lunging, long lining, and such.

[Jealoushe]

I disagree with not giving them time off. TBs truly blossom mentally and physically when they have a solid amount of downtime after the track. I always give 6-12 months rest just to be a horse, and work out any body or foot issues they may have. 6 months for those healthy and waiting to work, longer for those who have any issues. Long term, this creates a much sounder, healthier horse who is relaxed and willing to start their new career. It also helps their feet through the changes they experience after leaving the track, without the pounding and changes due to a new riding career.

Lunging and long lining, ground work, is the perfect way to work with them until you start under saddle.

[candyappy]

Diet sounds good and he looks good.

I also agree that there is no reason to just let him sit and that he would definitely benefit from light riding as he grows and puts on weight.

[pony_grandma]

If he’s young and immature looking I vote for some time off. Just being a horse and horse play will bring out their personality. No shoes if possible and time for hoof growth and hardening. I lunge a very large circle and they learn to balance the canter. Then adding back a rider is easy for them. Forward out riding, trails learning to pick and place their feet and balance a rider, build their rider carrying muscle shape. Then you can start training.

[Moshposh]

This sounds exactly what I just went through.
I bought a very petite 2 y/o off the track in November.

To me he seemed underdeveloped and runty. I’ve never had one like this before. Very baby like.

With 8 months off and proper nutrition he’s finally looking good. (I’ve felt that beet pulp and alfalfa have really helped him).
I’m going to put 90 days of basic restarting on him this summer and then chuck him back out in a field with his buddies.

Really cute horse you got there! Good luck!

[Tha_Ridge]

Cute horse! Feeding program seems fine. I always like a round of Succeed on all of mine and I’d get his teeth looked at if you haven’t already. I, too, would start riding casually, going on some fun fields trips, etc. You can have fun and let his body catch up but it doesn’t mean he can’t learn and grow.