After Racing: Retraining Thoroughbreds

Have you ever wondered what the horses are thinking?  Now you have a chance to know!  Follow Roxie on Twitter for regular insight into what a new exracer is thinking as they transition to a new life.

Roxie's registered name is Moro Rapidoe.  Check out her pedigree here: http://www.pedigreequery.com/moro+rapidoe 

Now that we know who she was, I found that Roxie had 33 starts and won over $48,000 during her racing career.  And she's SOUND and has CLEAN LEGS!  If racing couldn't break her down, she'll be ready for any discipline out there. She is really showing herself to be a sweetheart.  I can't seem to find anything that the vet would be worried about.  We'll see come Monday!  As for right now, I think Roxie is going to make someone a really nice horse.  Any takers out there?

Roxie is doing great.  I measured her today.  She was a bit freaked out by the measuring device, but with some assurance, stood quietly and realized we weren't going to hurt her.  She is 16h and 1/4 inch.  She has shoes on right now, which will be pulled soon.  That will probably put her at exactly 16h. She also got turned out in the dirt lot which is adjacent to the pasture where the rest of the herd was turned out.  After a bit of fence running and one touch to the hot wire, she determined that the large round bale in the center was probably her safest and most fulfilling, or at least filling, choice.  She contentedly munch on that during the hour I was there.  She at least got to meet the rest of the horses over the fenceline.  Once her racing plates (with toe grabs) are pulled, she'll be able to go out with everyone else.

There is an immediate need at the Hoosier Horse Park to provide safe footing that can accommodate various disciplines, while minimizing dust, maintenance, and concussion to the horses and providing necessary grip. The solution being considered for the dressage and stadium arenas at the Hoosier Horse Park is the same fiber product sold by Premier Equestrian that the Kentucky Horse Park has installed in its new Main Arena. For more information about this product, visit http://www.dressagearena.net/pages/ggtarenafooting.html. This fiber meets the critical needs mentioned above and has a life expectancy of 10 years or more. The approximate cost of this material for these arenas is $25,000. Baker Arena will require more effort with a new clay base and sand installation, while ensuring that the liner is not damaged. Estimates are being investigated, but preliminary numbers indicate that it will cost approximately $25,000 to complete the Baker Arena project. A grant request is being submitted to ECLR to help supplement footing and drainage improvements in addition to this fundraiser.

By repairing the most critical concern of the varying disciplines, our goal is to re-establish Hoosier Horse Park as a first-class equestrian facility, resulting in expanded use of the Park. The growth in use of the Park illustrates the need and interest of the equestrian community in these facilities. This then provides a strong argument to present the hotel tax bill in next year’s legislative session to obtain long term funding which will be necessary to renovate and maintain the Park for future equestrians.

The opportunity arose for organizations that utilize the Park and that would benefit from these footing improvements to partner with the Indiana Horse Council and provide much needed support from the equestrian community to increase the fundraising efforts. The Horse Park is a proud partner with the Indiana Horse Council in an effort to benefit both organizations, and all equestrians.

More information on the show can be found here: http://www.indianahorsecouncil.org/Events/octoberfest.htm

I'm thrilled to say that another new foster horse will be arriving on Monday.  Yippee!!  All I know is that she is a 6 year old bay mare, approximately 15.2h.  I'll definitely get some pictures posted when she arrives.

So I made a sort of brash decision today and listed Jewel for part lease on dream horse.  Now its not because I don't have time to ride.  Well, okay, I don't have time to ride -- but it really that I don't have as much time to ride as I would like.  There is a difference, right?  Hmmm.  I got to thinking that I would really like to have my horse ridden more frequently than I'm able to get out there.  She could easily go 6 days a week and she really needs to get back into shape.  I'm planning to ride 3-4 days per week now that I'm home again.  If I found the right person to ride her, I think it could work out well.  The key is going to be having the right person.  I'm also requiring that any person who is going to part lease take at least one lesson per month with Amanda Pisano.  Amanda knows Jewel best and will also be honest with me about the skills of the rider and whether she believes it will be a good fit.

Aside from wanting Jewel to be in regular work, I will be taking on an FFI horse this fall and at some point, may be asked to ride him/her.  It will be nice knowing that Jewel will still be in regular work even if I ride her fewer times each week.

Anyhow, we'll see how it goes.  I may also find that I'm a bit of a stickler about who is good enough to ride the precious princess. Ha! I'll be sure to post here when and if I move forward...or if I change my mind! ;)

More info on Flirt is available on her page by clicking here!