Horse Illustrated Magazine

Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) are talented, athletic horses that excel in just about every equestrian sport. As the horse industry has begun to focus on post-racing adoption and retraining, more and more riders are discovering that with the right training and care regimen, an OTTB can be the horse of their dreams.

Slideshow: A Second Chance for Thoroughbreds
Each year more than 30,000 Thoroughbreds are registered with the Jockey Club. Out of that annual foal crop, one will go on to fame as a Kentucky Derby winner at age three. A few more will accomplish notable racing careers, and many of them, particularly mares, will move on to a life as breeding stock.
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Starting Over With Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds Part One
Not everyone wants a fancy warmblood with European bloodlines. And, quite frankly, not everyone can afford one. Despite the trend toward warmbloods in the show-ring, there are many diehard Thoroughbred fans. The Thoroughbred is an athletic, courageous horse with a great deal of aesthetic appeal and one that can still hold his own in various sporthorse endeavors.
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Starting Over With Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds Part Two
In Part One: Teaching Aids for Riding, Not Racing, we offered some firsthand tips and expert advice on how to begin reschooling the off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) for a new career. It can be a tough assignment, but by understanding how a racehorse is taught to gallop at the track, and being consistent as you introduce new skills such as half-halts and downward transitions, you’re on your way to enjoying a dependable performance horse.
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Off-Track Thoroughbred Let-Down Time and Nutrition
A “let-down period” refers to the time off, whether several weeks or several months, given to an off-the-track-Thoroughbred (OTTB) to alleviate body soreness and let any medications clear from his system.
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The Ex-Racehorse Factor
If you’re in the market for a horse with intelligence, stamina and athletic ability to spare, perhaps you’ve considered an off-the-track Thoroughbred. There are thousands of them coming off the racetrack every year, many of which are still sound enough for long careers as riding horses. One of the appealing things about Thoroughbreds off the track is that they are usually much more affordable than European warmbloods and other sport-bred horses.
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