30/07/2025
I assist in the transition of many ex-racers using bodywork, and the points made in this article are very good ones. Ex-racers can make truly wonderful leisure horses, and are often the sweetest, most willing participants in retraining. But they will inevitably come with baggage, both physical and emotional, from their intense and very different start in life. It should certainly be considered a 'rehab' process, and should not be rushed ❤️👐🐴
An Open Letter to Those Who Wish to Help the Off-the-Track Racehorses 🐎💌
I’m writing this letter because, just like you, I want to help racehorses who retire sound from racing. I want to ensure they go on to live lives where they are well cared for.
Sadly, many of these horses end up neglected — or worse.
While there are many factors that contribute to these welfare issues, I want to share what I’ve learned about these beautiful animals. My hope is that it helps you give them a life where they are loved, respected, and valued for their big hearts, enormous try, and incredible athleticism.
1️⃣ First and foremost: they were trained to race.
That’s not just a fun fact — it’s the foundation of how they think and behave. These horses have been taught to do a very specific job: run fast, go forward, and react to movement with speed and power. That’s what they anticipate. That’s what they expect. That’s what their body and brain have been conditioned for.
So your first job is to teach them their new role as a pleasure or performance horse.
And just as importantly, you’ll need to un-train their old one.
This takes time, patience, strategy, and skill. They’re not being ‘difficult’ — they’re doing their job until they understand their new one.
2️⃣ Their body has been shaped by their career.
From diet and metabolism to feet, joints, and gut health — everything about their body has been impacted by the demands of racing.
Transitioning to a new lifestyle isn’t just about retraining — it’s rehab.
You’ll need to:
- Adjust their diet gradually and mindfully
- Support hoof health (because thoroughbred feet are, well… notoriously dodgy)
- Treat or manage gastric ulcers, if present
- Build their physical condition in a way that supports comfort and soundness
Equine Anatomist Sharon May-Davis has studied the musculoskeletal system of Thoroughbreds extensively. Her research reveals how factors like the camber (slope) of city vs country tracks, and the direction horses race (clockwise or anti-clockwise), lead to skeletal asymmetries and imbalances.
So these horses don’t just need training — they need physiotherapy through training.
And often some veterinary expertise or bodywork therapy is necessary to help them function with comfort and symmetry, especially in the early stages.
3️⃣ Conformation matters — and many are built to run, not collect.
Selective breeding for racing performance has shaped racehorse conformation. While some are naturally well-proportioned for riding disciplines, others have anatomical features that make certain movements — like collection — more physically challenging.
This doesn’t mean they can’t learn new skills. It just means we need to be mindful of what we’re asking, and whether they have the build and strength to do it easily or comfortably.
So when selecting a horse, consider whether their conformation suits the job you have in mind. You’ll set both of you up for success.
4️⃣ Most OTTBs aren’t ‘difficult’ — they’re misunderstood.
No horse is more misunderstood than the retired racehorse.
They get labelled as anxious, unpredictable, difficult, even dangerous. But the reality is, they often become reactive because they’re:
- Confused
- Uncomfortable
- Overwhelmed
They’ve been trained to do one thing and suddenly expected to do something else with no translator.
But when you strip away the confusion, give them time to learn, support their physical needs, and show them how to succeed — you’ll see who they really are: kind, willing, sensitive, and full of heart.
5️⃣ Retraining an OTTB is not easier than starting a young horse.
In fact, it’s often more complex.
You’re not starting from a clean slate — you’re reshaping existing patterns, responses, and associations. It’s a journey, not a quick fix.
And if you are re-starting a Standardbred, many haven't even been backed yet!
Start simple. Help them navigate easy tasks before adding complexity. Let them build confidence, physically and mentally.
Unfortunately, many people don’t know what’s really involved. Horses are thrown in the deep end, confused and underprepared, and when something goes wrong, they get labelled ‘problem horses’.
And from there, their future becomes uncertain.
Because a horse seen as difficult or dangerous has little to no value — and that’s when their welfare is at greatest risk.
6️⃣ Their new value is built through training.
At the start of their career, racehorses are valued for their racing potential — sometimes tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
When they retire, their value lies in their education.
A retrained horse has value as a riding partner — in pony club, dressage, show jumping, trail riding, or just being someone’s much-loved companion.
So when I retrain an off-the-track Thoroughbred or Standardbred, I know I’m doing more than just teaching them new skills. I’m giving them value. I’m securing their future. And to me, that’s deeply important — and incredibly rewarding.
❤🙏Please help share this.
Please share this letter, talk about these horses, and help others understand what’s truly involved.
Because the more people who understand their needs, the better we can support them — and the fewer horses end up confused, cast aside, or at risk.
Their future doesn’t just rest with the racing industry or government programs — it rests with all of us.
If you care about horses, you can help. And if you’re one of the special people who gives a Thoroughbred their second chance — thank you.
They deserve it.
➡️CHECK OUT THE FIRST COMMENT: Isabelle Chandler & I have a webinar this week, you are invited ❤ It is focused on how to select an OTTB if you are considering giving one a home ✅
IMPORTANT‼ Hit the SHARE BUTTON - Do not copy & paste, as it is not cool. If you would like to publish this in a magazine or newsletter please DM me.
