TB Makeover - what was your experience like?

[luckycricket123]

I’m looking for advice about whether or not to consider doing the Throroughbred Makeover next year. I may be in the market for a new equine, and I am definitely leaning towards an OTTB. I have a lot of experience with off the track horses, although have not worked with any tbs fresh off the track (or still on the track) in the last 5 years, so I do feel I might be a bit rusty. My trainer is also very experienced with OTTBs and unlike me is not rusty.

I’m not local to KY, and I also know that there’s still a pandemic afoot, so I would be totally fine with applying to do the makeover, and then just assessing where our training was at and scratching if I didn’t feel we were ready. The main concern putting me off this idea is the risk of getting a horse that hasn’t been started, starting it for a discipline and then finding its not sound for the job. I wonder if I would be better off getting something that has already been started in my discipline of choice.

I am also worried I will find my horse has an aptitude for a discipline where I lack familiarity. Has anyone entered the makeover in a discipline outside of their primary one(s)?

So anyways I’m just looking for opinions from people who have done the makeover in the past. What has your experience been like?

Feel free to try to talk me out of or into this based on everything I’ve shared! Or maybe based on something I didn’t even think of!

[ParadoxFarm]

Well, you can look for a horse from a reputable seller or TAA-accredited adoption/placement facility that already has put in some training rides. Your horse can have up to 15 rides before the December 1 start date for the Makeover. 15 rides can sometimes give you a great idea about the horse and its aptitude.

I plan to go next year! Come join the fun.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Agree with prior poster, there are several groups that get ottbs from the track and do a vetting and assessment for their potential that alleviates some of the risk. They will state if the horse qualifies for the makeover or not. New Vocations is a group I follow, they have multiple locations across the country.