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The Experiment

This website was last updated on January 25, 2012

To take a racehorse who's no longer running well and by using natural horsekeeping principles, natural barefoot trimming, and other non-traditional training methods, rehabilitate said horse to the point where he can again compete successfully. This will have a two-fold benefit; proving that barefoot horses can compete as well (or better) than shod horses, and also that drugs are a poor substitute for proper exercise and lifestyle.

The Reasoning

It's my feeling that most racehorses today are not racing up to their full potential. The reasons for this, in my opinion, are numerous:

Depression due to unnatural lifestyle
Ulcers
Lack of appropriate exercise/training
Poor hoof form with it's resultant problems
Negative effects of drugs on the system
Lack of proper nutrition - specifically minerals

Most racehorses are confined to stalls for at least 23 of the 24 hours in a day. If you think of this in human terms, it is like a person being confined to a bathroom 23 hours a day. Would you expect to be able to compete in any form of athletics if you lived in your bathroom all day?

Aside from the obvious lack of space and activity, living in a stall goes against a horse's nature. Horses are herd animals meant to live in large open spaces, grazing virtually all day in the company of other horses. They are bored, unhappy, and insecure when kept alone. Equine science has demonstrated that most competition horses (and that includes show horses as well as racehorses) develop ulcers - from the stress and anxiety of stall living, as well as from having empty stomachs for a good part of the day. It's a well known fact that racehorses develop what are called "stable vices", such as stall-walking, weaving, cribbing, and windsucking. Some develop other behaviors, such as charging up to the front of their stall at people going by, biting, and in general displaying "temper". While windsucking has been related to ulcer pain, stall-walking and other issues most likely stem from boredom, anxiety, and the inability to do what comes naturally to a horse - move around in the open, with other horses, and grazing.

The amount of exercise a horse gets while stalled at the track, or a training center, is minimal. Not enough to ensure hard bones and tendons. I believe that the major cause of breakdowns in racehorses has to do with lack of true fitness, along with incorrect hoof form, and shoeing. Many people point to the racing of Thoroughbreds at the age of 2 as part of the problem, and it probably is. A horse is not fully mature until the age of 6 - at which time most racehorses are considered old. That is the equivalent of saying that a human is at his peak at age 12 or 13 and washed up at the age of 18 or 20. In reality, the horse's full strength and power is far from developed at 2 and 3. Even though we Americans worship youth, it's a fact that high school football players cannot compete with pro football players. Nor in track and field are the fastest men in the world teenagers.

Not only are human athletes not at their best in their teens, but no human runner would merely go out and run a mile a day and expect to win at any competition. It takes many miles, not to mention other forms of exercise. Nor do human athletes remain in their bathroom until 30 minutes before the event. They are warming up, stretching, etc. In order to have their muscles ready for peak effort, and to avoid injury. In addition, when competing at major venues, a human runner may compete several times in a day, over a series of days, with perhaps his best performance coming at the last race of the last day. Horses, on the other hand are raced very seldom - out of the fear (totally justified with current practices) that the horse will break down.

In short, a racehorse's life is one of what I consider torture. The horse has no life, no enjoyment, no horse friends, no sun, most likely has pain, is not sufficiently trained to perform safely at his best, and the list goes on. Modern horse racing in America is, to quote a successful racetrack veterinarian who shall remain nameless, "Chemical warfare."

It's time for that to change. If our experiment is successful it will be proof that there is a better way.

Rehab and Training

Rehab will consist of natural herd lifestyle, along with additional training in the form of groundwork to build confidence in the horse and a positive relationship with people More training will take place under saddle, relaxing the horse, giving him a true understanding of his job, and teaching him/her that there is more to work than just running around a track. Exercise will begin with light riding and move on to trail riding, and long gallops. Work/training will be on all types of terrain, including uneven ground, hills, etc., and will include low level dressage and jumping. The goal being to develop support muscles, not just those used in galloping on flat, even, ground. Fatigue is a major cause of serious injuries - horses with a wider range of muscle development may be better able to cope with a misstep on the track.

Only the last 30-45 days will be devoted to developing speed and the horse will be trailered in to a facility, not stabled at the track. Natural life-style will be maintained during competition.

Diet

Diet will be appropriate to the amount of work being performed and will be hay-based as much as possible. Supplementation will be based on Pat Coleby's book "Natural Horse Care", being sure to provide necessary minerals and vitamins, mostly overlooked today.

Hoofcare

The horse's feet will be rehabbed via natural barefoot trimming and no racing or fast work will even be considered until the feet are in proper form and the horse is happy barefoot over any terrain.

Drugs

The horse will not receive any drugs other than dewormers or necessary vaccinations, etc.

What will happen to the Horse?