Thoroughbred Industry Hot Topic:
Aftercare and Re-Education of the Thoroughbred Racehorse.
How to Create a Robust Secondary Market for the Retired Thoroughbred Purse Money Talks
By Linda McBurney 12/1/10

Do you want to help retired thoroughbred racehorses transition into a new career? Put up some purse money.

Imagine a thoroughbred division with noticeably high purse money at a horse show or other equine sporting event.

There is an opportunity for organizations such as The Breeders Cup and The Jockey Club to expand their presence in other competitive venues. By offering purse money to thoroughbreds in other sporting events such as Show Jumping and Three Day Events these organizations could create excitement for a secondary sales market for the thoroughbred horses whose initial career has ended.

This opportunity is a call for every horse show organization, charitable foundation and individual who is sincere about keeping our American Thoroughbreds from an untimely demise.

Not only will you effect a positive change in the afterlife of a racehorse, you will get great exposure in a great sporting community with a healthy economy.

By staging competitions for registered thoroughbreds at already established AAA rated competitions, these organizations could take advantage of a large equestrian demographic.

Perhaps, within a few years, horsemen from these other disciplines might be making purchases at sales and registering horses NOT pointed toward racing.

Presently, there are hundreds of success stories of thoroughbred horses in second careers. Unfortunately these stories are seldom heard in the mainstream media. It is uncertain how many of them are registered thoroughbreds because there is no requirement to provide proof of registration in these other disciplines. Many thoroughbreds, in the United States who are through racing, simply fall through the cracks. Yet some of the most famous hunter/jumper sport horses of our time are thoroughbreds.

Presently there is awareness in the industry on all levels for the aftercare and re education of the thoroughbred racehorse. This topic is on every agenda throughout the industry. It was discussed at the Jockey Club Roundtable this past August at Saratoga. Stuart Janney III, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee and Alex Waldrop, President& CEO of the NTRA both acknowledged the need for a solution to the aftercare of the thoroughbred racehorse and transition to a second career. Notable trainers have been outspoken on the topic as well.

While organizations within the thoroughbred racing industry are working on ways to ramp up their image and increase market share, they should consider reaching across to other equestrian disciplines. These organizations would be warmly embraced by the entire horse industry, not just racing, if they were the first to reach across disciplines and supplement purses for registered thoroughbred horses.

The immediate effect would be a positive one for marketing and image development while outpacing the ever increasing pressure for all thoroughbred organizations to participate in developing solutions for the aftercare and re education for a second career of the thoroughbred racehorse.

As the rest of the industry deciphers the brilliance of this move, the first responders will be established as the industry leader of having created an aftermarket for the thoroughbred racehorse.

Now it's a horse race.

To add your comment email us at alm@equestrianearth.com


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October 2009
Subject: Approved Whips for use in Competition

As competitors, we rely on our equipment right down to the bat in our hand. As humanitarians, we carry the bat, stick, whip (whatever you want to call it) only to encourage our mounts.

While it hasn't become a rule by all, many governing associations that oversee each of the different equestrian disciplines have set engineering parameters for approved whips.

The Australian Racing Authority, Ontario Racing Commission in Canada and several states in the US, require all jockeys to race with padded whips. Soon, all Associations will have it's parameters and guidelines.

At Equestrian Earth, we believe you should stay one step ahead of the competition. We have a 20" stick that suits the requirements of those associations with guidelines in place now.

Just as effective as traditional riding whips, the 20" Lite-TouchT whip, offered exclusively by Equestrian Earth, actually makes a louder sound when used, encouraging the horse to respond, and the 4" padded popper makes a softer landing on your horses hide!

All successful horsemen can agree: the Lite-TouchT whip is one piece of equipment every competitor needs!


Gabrielle Illiano
Editor