Читать книгу Beyond the Track - Anna Morgan Ford - Страница 6

Foreword by Karen O’Connor

Foreword by George H. Morris

Introduction

CHAPTER 1 Bred to Run: What Racehorses Know

Understanding the OTTB

The Younger Years

Prepping for Sale

Breaking and Training

A Day at the Racetrack

Race Day

Researching the Horse’s History

Planning Ahead

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 3 Common Lameness and Health Issues

Pre-Purchase Exams

The Adopted OTTB

The OTTB Purchased at the Track or at Auction

Underlying Problems

A Simple Soundness Evaluation

General Impression

Legs

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

Getting Your OTTB Healthy and Sound

Rest

Shoeing

Medication

Cold Therapy/Hydrotherapy

Shock Wave Therapy

Surgery

Alternative Therapies

CHAPTER 4 The Transition to a New Lifestyle

Planning Ahead

Step 1: A Positive Trailering Experience

Miles Traveled

Vehicle Size

Getting Him In, 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

CHAPTER 5 Developing a Training Program

The Five Phases of Foundation Training

General Training Outline

Timeframe

CHAPTER 6 Phase One: Starting with the Basics

Improving Ground Manners

Breaking the Biting Habit

Lessons in Leading

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

CHAPTER 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

Longeing on the Line

Longeing Techniques

Tips for Getting Started

Training Exercise: Lengthening/Shortening Stride

CHAPTER 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

Common Resistances Solved with Side Reins

Head-Tossing

Tense and Hollow-Backed

Rushing at the Canter

Determining when He’s Ready to Ride

CHAPTER 9 Making the First Ride a Success

Reviewing Your Horse’s History

Saddling Up

Preparing to Mount

Mounting

Getting a Leg-Up

Using a Mounting Block

In the Saddle

Taking Up the Stirrups

Relying on Your Handler

Dismounting

CHAPTER 10 Phase Four: Riding with Understanding and Patience

Six Tips for Under Saddle Training

Getting Started Right

Seat, Legs, and Hands

Rhythm and Forward

Halt and Half-Halt

Downward Transitions

Bending and Turning

Introducing Canter

Using Two-Point

On the Forehand

Correct Canter Leads

Flying Lead Changes

Lessons in Backing-Up

Identifying Riding Problems and Their Causes

Troubleshooting Three Common Problems

Nervous/Jigging

Rushing at the Trot

Evading the bit

Making Training Fun

CHAPTER 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

Getting Started with Ground Poles

Longeing

Under Saddle

Guide Poles

Circle Size and Direction

Two Extension/Collection Exercises

Out and About: Leaving the Arena

The Buddy System

Away from Home

Work in the Arena with Other Horses

“Test Runs”

Clinics

Shows

CHAPTER 12 Becoming a Success Story

Closing Thoughts

Keen and Hilda Gurney

Courageous Comet and Becky Holder

Why Not Whiskey and Keely Bechtol

Kulik Lodge and Brooke Schafer

Pink Magic and Meg McTiver

American Bond and Valerie Mulgrave

Groomedforvictory and Cathy Gulick

Strong Angel and Buck Schott

Southern Charm and Courtney Safadi

About New Vocations

Acknowledgments

Index