Оглавление
Anna Morgan Ford. Beyond the Track
■ Dedication
■ Contents
■ Foreword by Karen O’Connor
■ Foreword by George H. Morris
Introduction
Patience
Commitment
Experience
Assistance
Environment
Partnership
1. Bred to Run: What Racehorses Know
Understanding the OTTB
The Younger Years
Prepping for Sale
Weanlings
Yearlings
Two-Year-Olds
Breaking and Training
Breaking on the Farm
The Importance of Preparing for the Track
A Day at the Racetrack
Race Day
Researching the Horse’s History
Planning Ahead
2. End of the Race: Now What?
Reasons for Retirement
Injury
Competitive Decline
Reproduction
Retirement Options
Becoming Breeding Stock
Slaughter—The Grim Reality
For Sale by Trainer: Finding a Horse at the Track
The Adoption Option
Adoption Costs
Tips for Adopting an OTTB
Adoption Programs
3. Common Lameness. and Health Issues
Pre-Purchase Exams. The Adopted OTTB
The OTTB Purchased from the Track or at Auction
Underlying Problems
A Simple Soundness Evaluation
General Impression
Legs
Flexion Tests
Feet
Overall Body
When to Get Help
Injuries and Conditions Commonly Seen in OTTBs
Bucked Shin
Tendonitis (Bowed Tendon)
Strained Suspensory Ligament
Splint
Osselets
Sesamoid Fracture
Knee Fracture
Bone Chip (Knee or Fetlock)
Curb
Common Hoof Issues in OTTBs
Bruises
Abscesses
Hoof Cracks
Other Health Issues Coming Off the Track. Dealing with Gastric Ulcers
Symptoms of gastric ulcers include:
Recommended treatments:
Getting Your OTTB Healthy and Sound
Rest
Shoeing
Medication
Cold Therapy/Hydrotherapy
Shock Wave Therapy
Surgery
Alternative Therapies
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Massage
The All-Important First Step
4. The Transition to a New Lifestyle
Planning Ahead
Step 1: A Positive Trailering Experience
Miles Traveled
Vehicle Size
Getting Him In, and Getting Him Home
Step 2: A Welcoming and Safe Environment
Stall Preparation
Initial Anxiety
Step 3: A Good-Quality Feeding Program
Checking Body Condition
Determining Feed Type and Amount
Weighing Feed
Hay Quality and Type
Step 4: Confident Handling
Step 5: A Tranquil Introduction to Turnout
Ideal Turnout Environment
Safety Precautions
How Much Turnout?
Transition to Turnout with a Herd
His and Hers
Additional Turnout Considerations. Fencing Type
Pacing the Fence
Not Drinking
Feeding
Weather Conditions
5. Developing a Training Program
1: What are my goals for this horse?
2: What will this horse require to be physically prepared for training?
3: What will this horse require to be mentally prepared for training?
4: Who can help me with the training process?
General Training Outline. Timeframe
6. Phase One: Starting with the Basics
Improving Ground Manners
Breaking the Biting Habit
Lessons in Leading
Training Exercise
Tricks to Tying
Single-Tie
Cross-Ties
Good Grooming
Dealing with Misbehavior
Fly Spray
Bathing and Hosing
Work toward a Healthy, Balanced Hoof
Pulling Shoes and Reshoeing
The Barefoot Question
Recovering from Track Trimming
Treating Thrush
Moving On: When to Start Working the OTTB
7. Phase Two: Introduction to Longeing
The Benefits of Longeing
Teaching the OTTB to Longe
Two Options
Longeing Guidelines
Equipment
The Trainer
The Horse
Environment
Free-Longeing
Step 1: Follow a Set Routine
Step 2: Introduce the Work Area
Step 3: Add Voice Commands, Body Language, and Whip Cues
Step 4: Solidify Walk, Trot, and Halt
Step 5: Keep His Attention and Maintain a Steady Pace
Step 6: Add Cantering
Step 7: Work in Both Directions
Step 8: Add the Longe Line
Longeing on the Line
Longeing Techniques
Using a Longe Line with a Chain
Using a Longe Line without a Chain
Holding the Longe Line
Body Position
Longe Whip
Commands
Downward Transitions
Tips for Getting Started
Getting Your Horse on the Circle
Controlling Circle Size
Controlling Speed
Making Direction Easy
Training Exercise: Lengthening/Shortening Stride
Reaping the Benefits
8. Phase Three: Longeing with Side Reins
Bits
Bit Type
Snaffle Size
Dealing with Mouth and Tongue Issues
Introducing the Surcingle
Getting Started with Side Reins
Early Lessons
Shortening the Side Reins
Overflexion
Common Resistances Solved with Side Reins
Head-Tossing
Tense and Hollow-Backed
Rushing at the Canter
Determining When He’s Ready to Ride
9. Making the First Ride a Success
Reviewing Your Horse’s History
Saddling Up
Preparing to Mount. Begin with the Familiar
Create a Safe Environment
Have an Experienced Helper on Hand
Check Your Equipment
Be Confident and Relaxed
Mounting
Getting a Leg-Up. How-To
Using a Mounting Block
How-To
In the Saddle
Taking Up the Stirrups
Relying on Your Handler
Dismounting
10. Phase Four: Riding with Understanding and Patience
Six Tips for Under Saddle Training
Stick to a Routine
Short Workouts
Warm Up and Cool Down
Rein Tension Means “Go”
Keep Going Forward
Gradually Work toward Riding Alone
Getting Started Right
Seat, Legs, and Hands. Seat
Legs
Hands
Rhythm and Forward
Halt and Half-Halt
Practicing the Halt
How-To
Teaching the Half-Halt
Downward Transitions
Watch Your Body
Give and Take
Bending and Turning
The Rider’s Hands
The Rider’s Legs
Introducing Canter
Using Two-Point
On the Forehand
Correct Canter Leads
Flying Lead Changes
How-To
Lessons in Backing-Up
Begin on the Ground
How-To
Training Rein-Back from the Saddle
How-To
Identifying Riding Problems and Their Causes
Habit
Pain
Equipment
Environment
Past Experience
Separation Anxiety
Troubleshooting Three Common Problems
Nervous/Jigging
Put Him to Work
Breathe
Rushing at the Trot
Slow Your Rhythm
Downward Transitions
Circles and Turns
Critique Yourself
Evading the Bit
High-Headed
Overflexion
Ground Pole Exercise
Making Training Fun
Quality, Not Quantity
Consistency
Small, Easily Completed Tasks
End on a Good Note
11. Phase Five: Moving Toward a New Vocation
New Sights and Sounds
Training Methods
Making It Part of the Lesson Plan
The Benefits of Ground Poles
Awareness of Feet and Ground
Correct Muscles and Self-Carriage
Rhythm and Adjustability of Stride
Straightness
Courage
Foundation for Jumping
Getting Started with Ground Poles
Longeing
Starting with a Single Pole
Adding Poles
Adding Canter
Under Saddle
Your Seat and Reins
Introducing the Poles
Guide Poles
Circle Size and Direction
Two Extension/Collection Exercises
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Out and About: Leaving the Arena
The “Buddy System”
Step 1: Cool Down Outside the Arena
Step 2: Ride in a Large, Enclosed Field
Step 3: Explore the Farm or Stable Area
Step 4: Hit the Trail
Away from Home
Work in the Arena with Other Horses
“Test Runs”
Clinics
Shows
12. Becoming a Success Story
Closing Thoughts
Keen
Achievements
Keen’s Story
Hilda Gurney’s Advice
Courageous Comet
Achievements
Courageous Comet’s Story
Becky Holder’s Advice
Why Not Whiskey
Achievements
Why Not Whiskey’s Story
Keely Bechtol’s Advice
Kulik Lodge
Achievements
Kulik Lodge’s Story
Brooke Schafer’s Advice
Pink Magic
Achievements
Pink Magic’s Story
Meg McTiver’s Advice
American Bond
Achievements
American Bond’s Story
Valerie Mulgrave’s Advice
Groomedforvictory
Achievements
Groomedforvictory’s Story
Cathy Gulick’s Advice
Strong Angel
Achievements
Strong Angel’s Story
Buck Schott’s Advice
Southern Charm
Achievements
Southern Charm’s Story
Courtney Safadi’s Advice
■ About New Vocations
■ OTTB Adoption Programs
■ Acknowledgments
■ Index
