Читать книгу Beyond the Track - Anna Morgan Ford - Страница 33

New Vocations and other adoption programs were founded because many owners and trainers needed a safe place to send their ex-racehorses. I highly respect those who take the time to find an adoption program or retirement home for horses they no longer wish to keep. This is a far better decision than some of the examples I mentioned earlier—giving the horse to a ten-year-old girl who wants her first horse, or selling cheap to a horse dealer who then resells the horse to an unsuitable home or a slaughterhouse.

Questions to Ask when Viewing Horses at the Track

Take notes! And keep in mind that there may be a varying degree of truth to the answers you receive.

What is the horse’s registered name and how do you spell it?

How long have you had the horse in your stable?

Can you tell me a little about his racing history? How many races? Where were they run? When was his last race?

Has the horse been injured? If so, when? Has the horse been raced since?

When was the horse’s last workout?

How is he to exercise on the track?

Does the horse require a special bit or equipment, such as blinkers?

What are his stall manners like?

Have any of his joints been injected? Which ones, and when?

Does he have any problematic behaviors or vices?

When was the horse gelded? (If applicable.)

The problem faced by many of the adoption and retirement programs in the US today is that there are more horses in need of new homes than there are programs with room to take them. One of my goals in writing this book is to encourage the person who is looking for a Thoroughbred to work with an adoption program. As I mentioned, it is extremely difficult for the average horseman to evaluate a horse at the track and know if he will be suitable. Once a racehorse has been moved to an adoption program’s facility, he has already taken the first steps necessary to transition from the track to a new career, and you will be able to get a much better feel for his potential as a riding horse.

Which Thoroughbred Best Fits My Needs?

If you intend to purchase a horse off the track or adopt one through a program, I recommend you engage the assistance of an experienced friend or trainer to help ascertain the horse’s suitability for you and your discipline. Even if you buy and sell horses all the time, a second opinion is always of value.

The most important step is to ask yourself what level of riding or competition you aspire to, as many OTTBs are athletic enough to pursue any discipline at the lower levels, and most minor injuries will hold up after proper time off. With this in mind, here are a few additional guidelines to consider when evaluating OTTBs. These are generalized suggestions—there is a lot more to consider when choosing a horse for a specific discipline. And note, the examples pictured here are right off the track. Appearance changes with added weight and muscle.

The Event Horse or Jumper* (fig. 2.5 A)

Conformation

▶ High shoulder point (the front of the shoulder is high, with a steeply angled humerus from there to the elbow; this ensures scope over large jumps).

▶ Uphill build.

▶ Medium bone structure (extremely fine bone structure is less likely to hold up).

▶ Short- to medium-length back.

▶ Short- to medium-length pasterns (long pasterns tend to break down).

▶ Well-set knees (horses that have knees that bend slightly forward or back, instead of straight, can place increased strain on tendons and ligaments).

▶ Event horses can range in height. Note that larger horses (in height and mass) can be more difficult to keep sound as they are harder on their legs and feet.

Movement

Event horses need to be very athletic with fluid gaits. Prospects should have more action at all three gaits than, say, a hunter (see facing page). This often indicates it will be easier for them to move with impulsion in the dressage ring and that they will pick up their knees better over fences.

Personality

▶ Brave ∙ Athletic ∙ Hard-Working

Event prospects need to be bold, brave, and forward-going horses that have good endurance. Many of these horses could also be described as “proud” or “arrogant.” More energetic horses are often possibilities—as long as they are mentally sane and have a good work ethic, the extra energy is beneficial on the cross-country course.

*A jumper prospect will be very similar in build, action, and personality to an event horse. When looking for a jumper, put more emphasis on a stronger hind end and shoulder. A jumper does not necessarily need to be built uphill, but he should have a high shoulder point.

The Hunter (fig. 2.5 B)

Conformation

▶ Long, sloping shoulder.

▶ Neck ties in well with the withers and shoulder.

▶ Small, attractive head.

▶ Flat topline.

Movement

Hunters should be light on their feet and have as little action in their legs as possible. A long, low, rhythmic stride that easily covers a lot of ground is desirable. The horse’s head carriage should be long and low.

Personality

▶ Easygoing ∙ Consistent ∙ Stylish

Hunters are judged on rhythm, style, and manners. They need to be calm in nature and consistent in gait and attitude as they move around the ring and over fences.

The Dressage Horse (fig. 2.5 C)

Conformation

▶ Withers set back from the shoulder.

▶ Short back.

▶ Uphill build.

▶ Strong, well-built hindquarters.

▶ Neck ties in well with the withers and shoulder (avoid ewe-necked horses).

▶ Neck should be medium to long.

Movement

The horse should naturally engage and drive from his hind end. A regular, even, four-beat walk is ideal. At the trot he should demonstrate natural impulsion and extension while remaining light on his feet. Look for a canter that is not overly “large”—a shorter stride is easier to maneuver around the dressage arena and eventually teach clean flying lead changes.

Personality

▶ Hard-Working ∙ Sensitive ∙ Sensible

A dressage prospect should be a sensitive yet sensible horse. He needs to be very responsive to leg, seat, and rein aids rather than dead-sided or hard-mouthed. He cannot become overwrought every time he is confronted with a new task—the ideal horse likes to work and accepts new challenges eagerly.

Ferdinand’s Story

Winner of the 1986 Kentucky Derby and the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Ferdinand was voted the 1987 Horse of the Year. He won eight of 29 starts and earned $3,777,978, retiring at the time as the fifth leading-money-earner on record. Following his racing career, Ferdinand stood at stud for several years in the United States. Then in 1994, he was sold and sent to Japan to stand at stud. To the disbelief and dismay of many, Ferdinand was sold to slaughter by the Japanese breeding farm in 2002 when he was no longer needed as a breeding stallion.

By adopting or purchasing a Thoroughbred off the racetrack you can give a horse a chance to excel in a new career rather than end up at a slaughterhouse. To learn more about this issue, see my discussion on p. 33, or view the Equine Protection Network Web site at www.equineprotectionnetwork.com or the American Horse Protection Coalition Web site at www.horse-protection.org.

There are many advantages to working with an adoption or retirement program. For example, once at New Vocations, an ex-racehorse is:

▶ Evaluated for mental health and physical condition, and veterinary advice is given on request.

▶ Worked on the ground and under saddle, and judged for suitability as a riding horse in different disciplines.

▶ Fed a suitable diet. Thin or race-fit horses receive extra calories to promote weight gain.

▶ Introduced to turnout in paddocks or fields and offered opportunities to relearn how to socialize with others—something he probably hasn’t done since he was a foal.

▶ Provided transitional training. A potential adopter can then see him being worked from the ground and under saddle.