What do trainers do with horses the days following a race

[secretlink]

I just picked up a horse at Sufolk on Saturday. He is a 6 y/o gelding and raced an hour before he got on the trailer to start his new life. He is sound (was before the race) but gets stiff after per his trainer. What is the routine in general for a horse after running. How many days of rest, walking, jogging... what do trainer normally do to let the horses recoup and not let their muscles get to stiff. Also this guy is fit, I know he needs to be let down, but he does not want to just do nothing...

One more thing... If anyone has access to his race and auction record I would love to see it if you would post it. His name is Woody's Apache. And if anyone has run across him in his career I would love to know that also... and if anyone has any input on his pedigree for sport....

Thanks all! He is a super sweet guy and a looker to boot

[jeffm]

Well usually a horse that just ran would walk 2-3 days . It depends on how the horse came back after the race. And if he is eatin gp or not. Every horse is differnat. Good luck with him

[secretlink]

what is "eatin gp"? and waling under tack or on a walker, and for how long?

[Roger]

what is "eatin gp"? and waling under tack or on a walker, and for how long?

eating up or cleaning his feed tube up.

does he act sore or stiff?

[Lucy]

If anyone has access to his race and auction record I would love to see it if you would post it.

His record on his page here is correct: 38-7-6-6, $141,603, with a graded stakes placing at two.

As a yearling, he sold for $10,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale.

Good luck with him!

[wilf]

I am assuming that you have had horses before so you are not green. He is your horse now and it sounds like he is very lucky so just cut down on the grain and increase the hay . In a few days he will be acting pretty sharp so be careful not to turn him out in a greasy paddock or he could end up wrenching something. His ankles look as though he has some wear and tear going on in front but they don't look too bad and rest will do him nothing but good. I hope that you both have a long happy time together.

[Langfuhr]

HIs full sister is offered in KEENOV i/f to Silent Name from the Adena Springs consignment.

http://apps.keeneland.com/sales/nov08/pdfs/4766.pdf

Good luck with him. He's gorgeous!

[ratherrapid]

yes. i agree with wilf. lucky horse. just make sure he has plenty of chance to move around. a (dry) paddock would be good.

[teb]

After racing here, our horses go out to the field for a couple of days. They also vacation in the winter here at our farm. It's great knowing you don't have to get them use to being turned out.

Terri

[secretlink]

Thanks everyone! I have had my share of off the OTTB's and young TB's, but this is the first guy I have got JUST after a race. He seamed fine the day after, than he got a bit stiff and off his food a little bit. I figured maybe after a race he had a little "help" with this so I just wanted to know what people do. Thanks again, he is sweet!

[madelyn]

100% of what "a trainer does after the race" depends on the individual horse, in a good barn. If he is stiff, you could give him a little bute and WALK him. At the track, they hand walk, at a pretty good clip, around the shedrow, at least 15 minutes a horse. And the horse is done up - put in leg wraps, maybe with clay, to prevent inflammation, when in the stall. If he has been on a walker before, you could try that. If he has NOT been on a walker, in my opinion, now is not the time to try that. Wait until he has been let down.

[Sock Monkey]

What a lovely horse. Congratulations and best of luck with him! He is a resale project or a keeper?

[secretlink]

He needed a home and I am a sucker. I had a friend down at sufolk buying herself a horse and saw a picture of him new his trainer wanted to retire him... I dont NEED another horse. We will see, but I will give him what time he needs, get him going and make sure he is easy for the average horse person without OTTB experience to handle than probably sell or lease him.

[pokeyman]

Congrats! We breed and race in MA. Glad you made it down to the Showcase event. Canter does an awesome job!

I wouldn't give him bute as it might cover up something.

Just handwalk and try to turn him out in a small area. The best thing for an OTTB is to be able to work up to all day turnout. 24/7 turnout is even better as they can move on their own. Just start small and increase length and size of turnout.

I would just give him hay (all he can eat grass or timothy) for a couple of days. Then, you can reintroduce grain but I wouldn't give a lot as you are trying to let him down and he will not be in a full performance program.

If you have any other questions I can give you the number of one of our trainers based in MA and I am sure he would be willing to answer any other questions. He trains off the farm; has been training for 50+ years; is president of the Mass thoroughbred breeders; and runs the biggest breeding facility in the state (standing 5 stallions). So, he will not give you bad advice and has a pretty solid reputation.

Good luck and thanks for giving an OTTB a chance at another career!

[ageecee]

Ever put a horse on a walker who has never walked on one before. Not a pretty site.

Got a horse from up North and just took for granted he knew how to walk on the walker. Big mistake...