crippled animal home just because you like his looks (see below for a soundness test). If you like the horse but you aren’t confident in your own abilities to detect problems or unsoundness, bring a knowledgeable friend or your trainer to get a second educated opinion.
Some trainers are fairly honest about injuries (bowed tendons, quarter cracks, and bone chips, to give just a few examples), as they want to see a horse go to the most appropriate home. Other trainers just want to get the horse out of the way quickly, and even if he is clearly unsound, they may assure you, “He will be fine with some turnout.” In these cases, the trainer may know where the horse is sore but may not know the full extent of the injury because he could not pay for X-rays—for example, the horse may have fetlock soreness so the trainer applied a sweat or “injected” it, when in reality there is a bone chip or fracture that would be best treated with surgery. Unfortunately, horse trading is always a “buyer beware” market.
And of course, if you pick up an OTTB at an auction, all bets are off!
Underlying Problems
As you transition your Thoroughbred, keep in mind that many behavioral issues you may automatically attribute to his upbringing at the track could instead be the result of discomfort. Before you reprimand him or lose patience, consider that he may have a physical problem your veterinarian can identify. Understanding that this is a possibility and having an idea of the kinds of pain and unsoundness poor behavior can indicate is an important attribute in an OTTB owner.
On the following pages, I address the following:
1 How to perform a soundness evaluation.
2 Common race-related injuries.
3 Common hoof issues.
4 How to deal with gastric ulcers.
5 Recommended treatments for lameness.
6 Alternative medicines and therapies.
A Simple Soundness Evaluation
When a Thoroughbred arrives at New Vocations, we perform a general soundness exam before we incorporate turnout into his regimen or begin any training. A sound horse is free from injury, illness, or conformation defects that may impede his ability to perform at present or in the future. He moves without hesitation and does not limp or otherwise display pain or discomfort. Note that a horse may have an old injury that no longer affects him and still be deemed sound.
There is a lot that the average horseman can do to evaluate a horse’s soundness, keeping in the back of your mind that you can consult a veterinarian if necessary. Below I’ve provided a description of how to perform a simple examination, either before you bring a new horse home or prior to starting work with him. I recommend you write down your observations so that if there appears to be a problem, you can thoroughly explain your findings to your vet.
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