Читать книгу Beyond the Track - Anna Morgan Ford - Страница 23

People purchase or adopt a Thoroughbred with different intentions for the horse’s future. Not everyone can be a full-time horse person: family and work vie for time right along with the new horse. So, be fair to yourself and your horse—evaluate your time and your priorities before you bring an OTTB home. You need to be able to dedicate enough time to him to ensure a successful transition.

It is important that you take into account what is familiar to your OTTB so that you can understand his point of view as you help him adjust to his new lifestyle. This does not mean, however, that you have to keep a stakes winner in a fancy barn or ride only at 6:00 A.M. as the fog lifts—your OTTB will most likely adapt well to his new environment. Patience and diligence go a long way toward helping your horse adjust to life after the racetrack.

Simple planning on your part eases the transition. Maintaining a regular feeding routine, turnout schedule, and exercise program are just the beginning—as you read the chapters that follow, I’ll explain what you can expect from the OTTB and how to handle these, and other aspects of his segue from life at the racetrack to life as a riding horse.