How do you train off the track Thoroughbred?
Use the time on the lunge to train your horse to your voice. Simple commands such as Walk, Trot, Canter, Steady and Whoa, will go a long way to helping him understand your new seat and leg aids when you do mount up on him. Lunging also helps divide his past life and his new life.
How do I care for an OTTB?
It is recommended that the horse be hand walked for several days, especially if he was freshly raced, in order to calm him down. It is also recommended to reduce the grain intake temporarily to about 6 quarts per day. Do not worry about his weight at this time. You can increase it again as soon as he has calmed down.
How often should you ride an OTTB?
At the beginning, I want you to ride seven days a week. Don’t ride for long, 30-45 minute is plenty. During that period, you will have to experiment with your training pattern, to find out what works best for you and your horse.
What to know before getting an OTTB?
Check The Thoroughbred’s Conformation You can tell a lot about the soundness of a horse, and the future of a horse, by his conformation. When looking at an OTTB, bring someone with you who is experienced with thoroughbreds if you are not. Check for an uphill build and sloped shoulders.
What is the life expectancy of a Thoroughbred?
between 25 and 28
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which has dealt with several thousand old retirees has never had a horse live past 34. In general, the average life expectancy of a thoroughbred is somewhere between 25 and 28.
What do you feed an OTTB?
OTTBs tend to thrive on diets that are higher in fat and protein than carbs and sugar. Offer at least 2% of the horse’s weight per day (or about 20lbs) in high-quality forage. Supplements, like salt and biotin, can be great additions to your OTTB’s diet, as can canola oil, if your horse needs to gain weight.
What to know before buying an OTTB?
Do Thoroughbreds make good jumpers?
Thoroughbreds are excellent choices for cross country due to their large gallop strides, speed, and ability to maintain endurance throughout long stretches of cantering or galloping. They also are very successful jumpers, so it is no surprise to see them as a viable option in a number of jumping disciplines.
Where do I start with OTTB?
Starting Your OTTB Safely Over Jumps
- Jumping should not be exciting.
- Make sure he is comfortable crossing poles at walk and trot in hand.
- After crossing the pole at walk or trot, ask your horse to stop.
- Now start to jump your OTTB in hand by traveling beside him at trot—let him jump but go round the jump yourself.