Restarting the OTTB - Who is right?!

[Amy3996]

@JenEM

I’m sure someone else could have been at least a year ahead of where we are on training, but I’m happy with where we are, the horse seems quite happy in her work (she loves to jump!). IME, from having brought along my personal horses and watching others bring theirs along, they will tell you when they’re ready for the next lesson.

My TB also fits this description. I got him as a coming 6yo. He’s a very slow to mature type physically (characteristic of his sire from what I’ve been told). We spent most of his 6yo year correcting physical issues (hooves, ulcers, bodywork). 7yo year was starting to take consistent lessons, some trail riding, a few schooling outings to take in the sights.

2023 was his 8yo year and we spent most of it on dressage bootcamp. He felt mentally and physically ready to actually do a dressage show in April, a long state park trail ride in July, and try our first foray into the hunter/jumper show ring in December.

Could a pro or a different rider have done this faster? Probably. Was there anything to gain by rushing? Nope. We both needed the time to develop a partnership and for him to develop the physical strength to handle what was being asked.

Long story short - it’s your horse and your timeline. Anyone pressuring you to do more or faster can feel free to do that with their own horse, not yours. You’ll know when you and your horse are ready to progress.

[RAyers]

She thought OTTB means On The Track Breeds.

[candyappy]

@SFVine

Anyway- my BO/friends think I should be riding her now. POV is that she has been getting ridden, so why not keep her going?

They can think what they want to but the horse is yours. I think the plan you have is just fine and I would stick to it. When they buy a 2 year old OTTB of their own then they can have a say and do what they like.

[Mondo]

@punchy

You don’t speak from experience when you cite the number of racehorses that die on the track. We’re talking about ottbs, not racehorses who died. So you’re now comparing apples and oranges.

Touche’. My point is that racehorses are started much too young, and they often come off the track due to injuries. Injuries that could very likely have been avoided had they been allowed to mature. That’s my point.

The OP asked who is right? I think the OP is right. Others think this is a subjective question and that both views have validity. I disagree.

@RAyers - do you have anything germane to contribute?

[Bluey]

@Mondo

Touche’. My point is that racehorses are started much too young, and they often come off the track due to injuries. Injuries that could very likely have been avoided had they been allowed to mature. That’s my point.

The OP asked who is right? I think the OP is right. Others think this is a subjective question and that both views have validity. I disagree.

@RAyers - do you have anything germane to contribute?

Except that studies have shown the contrary, that horses started early stayed sounder as per the different parameters they tested of body growth and maturing and performance and healthier over many more years then those started later and why, the more you train, properly, the fitter a body and mind are for the task at hand.

One difference here may have been the age, started early, but with so many other factors, I still would do what I want with my horse and I expect it will be fine at any age or pace, as long as it fits that horse.

[Mondo]

@Bluey

Except that studies have shown the contrary, that horses started early stayed sounder as per the different parameters they tested of body growth and maturing and performance and healthier over many more years then those started later and why, the more you train, properly, the fitter a body and mind are for the task at hand.

That’s fair. Can you point to these studies? I’d be interested.

[Annie10]

Your horse correct? As in you own it? You pay the bills? Then you call the shots. You do what you think is right and egg he at you are comfortable with. As long as you meet your financial agreement with the BO as far as board or whatever arrangement there is, it’s not her business.

[Bluey]

@Mondo

That’s fair. Can you point to these studies? I’d be interested.

I posted two links here to recent articles that reference studies already, post 12 and 32 I think.
One of the first ones I remember reading long ago was by TX A+M, here is another old one.
There have been more all along over the past decades:

Early Exercise and Career Length in Thoroughbred Racehorses

[sophie]

I will read those studies.

OP, I think your plan is sound. Going slow and taking your time is never detrimental to a horse. Going to fast too soon, however, can be. Not to mention each horse is different.
I do think racehorses are started too young, and IM(H)E while many Ottbs come off the track sound and can be managed and helped in order to stay sound, some also present soundness issues that can be really hard to deal with.

[omare]

As others have stated, there are many ways to get to the same place. One thing to keep in mind is not that she will forget her lessons in 6 months if she is not ridden, but you may have a very different horse mentally and physically in 6 months. That is one advantage to doing light riding as she matures-you two will know each other and be familiar each other as she changes.

[pluvinel]

@Mondo

That’s fair. Can you point to these studies? I’d be interested.

Google is your friend.

Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits

From the article

Simple Summary

Of common debate among equine professionals and enthusiasts alike, is whether entering race training at two years of age is detrimental or beneficial to the animal’s career and growth. This literature review evaluates epidemiological studies to elucidate that two-year-old horses are not at greater risk of injury compared to older horses. Horses which enter race training at two years of age are, in fact, found to have greater earnings and longer race careers. …

Abstract

Conflicting research and anecdotal evidence have created disagreement among equestrians as to whether two-year-old horses should be trained and raced. The objective of this literature review is to evaluate epidemiological studies, as well as physiological data on equine bone, articular cartilage, and tendons to better determine the impact of training and racing two-year-old horses. The evaluation of numerous studies on the topic provides evidence that a horse which is trained or raced as a two-year-old has a lower risk of injury and better adapted tissues for the rigors of racing. Unfortunately, the current prolific use of pain-mitigating substances in the racing industry does place horses, including young cohorts, at greater risk of injury, and should be used with caution.

[Mondo]

@Bluey

I posted two links here to recent articles that reference studies already, post 12 and 32 I think.
One of the first ones I remember reading long ago was by TX A+M, here is another old one.
There have been more all along over the past decades:

Thanks Bluey! You learn something new every day. I’ve been believing a myth. I stand corrected. Thanks for sharing.

[Bluey]

@Mondo

Thanks Bluey! You learn something new every day. I’ve been believing a myth. I stand corrected. Thanks for sharing.

Well, maybe a myth until new research supersedes this, is the way knowledge works.

[merrygoround]

Your plan sounds great. She is your horse. Working on the longe and going with the voice commands is a no-brainer.

Those who rode her at the track were light riders in light weight tack.

[Live_Wire]

@SFVine

I have only gotten war horses off the track before- so I have given them a week or two to get settled then got started. I feel like this is much different

As I was reading through the beginning of your post this is exactly where my brain was going. I’ve restarted more thoroughbreds than I can count and GENERALLY I do not do a long let down, although to each their own. Typically mine go on 24/7 turnout in a herd and go right to work in a program (if they’re able to). That said, if I had a horse that was young and only lightly raced I would probably follow a similar game plan as you’ve outlined assuming she has appropriate turnout. I’d for sure keep her brain engaged and give her consistent learning opportunities but I don’t think she needs a 9-5 undersaddle right now.

Regardless, all roads lead to Rome. There isn’t a universal right or wrong way. You do you.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

@pluvinel

The evaluation of numerous studies on the topic provides evidence that a horse which is trained or raced as a two-year-old has a lower risk of injury and better adapted tissues for the rigors of racing.

Since this is posted in the dressage forum, something I ponder is this. While the study shows that the tissues are better adapted tissues for the rigors of racing, it doesn’t talk about the tissues being adapted for the rigors of dressage. Carrying weight on the hind legs, health of the SI, carrying over the topline to support a larger (in comparison to jockeys) rider that actually sits on the back, etc.

I definitely needs to build much different muscles in my ex-buggy horse before he was truly comfortable carrying me, I assume the same is true for a racehorse?

[pluvinel]

@fizzyfuzzybuzzy

While the study shows that the tissues are better adapted tissues for the rigors of racing, it doesn’t talk about the tissues being adapted for the rigors of dressage. Carrying weight on the hind legs, health of the SI, carrying over the topline to support a larger (in comparison to jockeys) rider that actually sits on the back, etc.

My interpretation of the article is that “tissues”…whatever they may be used for…are better adapted when started young. Eg., if the tissues are used for racing, then race training. If the tissues are used to pull a cart, then those can develop. Ditto for dressage.

And I will also add that anything below 4th level is basic training of the horse and is nothing particularly strenous…unless you are pushing a horse into a “competition frame” before such tissues are physically capable.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

That makes total sense - my thought was more about retraining the OTTB for dressage. Started young in race training, does that prepare the OTTB appropriately for dressage training? More in the context of the OP with does she need to take some time to prepare to ride her young OTTB or is race training sufficient?

[FromTheGalaxy]

As someone who was in nearly your exact position a year ago, thought I would share my experience. I bought a 2 year old off the track in Nov 2021. She had raced twice and retired pretty quickly when they realized she wasn’t going to be competitive at the track. I bought her less than a month after her last race. She was very immature when I bought her, both mentally and physically. I had already planned to give her the winter off, and due to lack of time and and then an injury, that ended up extending into the end of 2022. She got regular handling and very light ground work, but she was mostly turned out from Nov 2021 to March 2023. Once I was able to start riding her in spring of 2023, I had to basically start from scratch in the training process. Now it probably did go quicker than a horse that was being saddled and started for the very first time, but I didn’t feel I was just able to pick up where she left off from race training. She definitely had some opinions about having to work again, and I had to take things very slowly. Eventually she was going wtc well and jumping small courses after about 6 mo of slow restart as a 4 year old.

Looking back, if I’d had the time and the help on the ground, I wish that I would have kept her in light work under saddle through her 3 year old year. Even riding once a week I think would have eased some of the difficulties I had starting her back after over a year off. Of course YMMV, and it likely depends on the temperament of the horse. But in my experience, if there are no injuries that need down time, then keeping them in light occasional work is my preference, after a short amount of down time to settle into their new life as a sport horse.

[crthunder]

I got my OTTB, Red, at 3.5 right from the track. He went to a barn that bred TB’s and did rehab/lay up time. Small indoor arena but lots of different turn out spaces. The first month he was mine we worked on ground manners, turn out manners, grooming in cross ties, and free lunging in a round pen. All his “work” sessions were kept short and we worked on him trusting me since he was a little worried about the non-track life after being only at a track since he was 2.

Then we spent a month learning about lunging in side reins and solidifying voice commands.

Month three I sat on him and we walked around. This is when I knew we could move to my regular barn (busier with boarders, lessons, etc) that was close to me.

We didn’t trot for another few weeks and didn’t canter under saddle until I had owned and worked with him for five months.

So your plan is great and remember all the non riding time can be used to solidify your relationship, walk over poles and other in hand obstacles. Red now is turning 22 in March and I couldn’t have asked for a better dressage and all around horse.