Off the Trackers
The realities of owning an off the tracker, and maybe some things you haven’t considered
Thoroughbreds have to be one of my favourite breeds and Standees, I liken them to the labradors of the horse world, intelligent, eager to please and a huge forgiving heart. However as we well know their start in life is a lot more difficult than any other horse.
These horses are built for speed, and speed in a mostly straight line. You can see this clearly in the TB as they usually have huge but narrow thorax (less bulk for the limbs to have to move around) , long slender neck which helps with propulsion and long (in most cases) thin legs. And all this works relatively well for running fast in a straight line with a small person crouched above their shoulders, with a saddle that weighs a few grams. It’s definitely a better build than if a warmblood were to do it (too much bulk and spring/air time).
So when it comes time to leave the track and pursue a new career (along with all the emotional trauma) off the trackers are then expected to morph their body to move in a way it was not originally manufactured for. We now want this slender, long, lanky thing to carry a heavier rider and gear, move in a collected balanced manner, do lots of sideways stuff and move at a much slower pace, with precision. It’s like asking a bodybuilder to take up ballet.
This is why if you want to do it right and keep these horses sound..it takes time, lots and lots of time. Not only for the body to adjust but also the mind. The body has also been subjected to high amounts of stress and pressure from a young age, most horses aren’t fully developed till they reach 8 years old. This is again why it’s important to go slow to allow the body to recover and continue to mature (if they leave the track before 8).
Remember horses live long lives so if you are committed to them, take your time to get the foundations right to ensure longevity and less major issues later down the track.
Read more:
Off the Trackers
Nuchal Ligament Part 2 – Role in locomotion
Nuchal Ligament – Role in locomotion The nuchal ligament is made of very elastic tissue,…
Passive motion of the neck
Passive motion of the neck Passive motion is important for the horse because it aids…
Straightness vs Bending
Stepping Instead of Falling
