Ex race horse problem. Please help?

Question

I bought a10 year old race horse from the track. When I first got him, he had sooo much energy. But lately he doesn't seem to want to do anything.

He does english, but mostly western. he's actually taken to western quite nicely. But lately he got the idea in his head that he only has to work if he sees another horse working. Otherwise he'll just walk, even if he is whipped, which doesn't happen to often. But he was never like that before. Before he just wanted to run, now he doesn't want to do anything. I tried taking him outside to gallop, something he would normally love, but he just wasn't interested.

Is something wrong with him? What should I do?

Answer 1

Ideas-

-He might need a higher calorie food.

I'd suggest a mix of buckeye's Training and Ultimate finish

(www.buckeyenutrition.com)

-Also you might need to put him on a glucosamine suppliment for his joints which might be stiff.

-Keep him 100% pasture board or most of the day

-Change up exercise, make being worked fun and exciting to him, he might be sour.

It's hard to tell without seeing him, but I'd definately check with your vet.

Answer 2

I would speak to a horse vet but, he may be depressed.  Being taken out of that is like someone retiring without knowing what happened.

One day the rush iof the track then nothing after 10 years.

Maybe why he peps up with the others.  Maybe he didn't want to retire, he knows nothing else.  It may take a lot of patience and retraining.

Answer 3

My friend Kyle is a jockey and TB trainer....spoiled little booger, aren't they?

Answer 4

I would have the vet check him over and then look at his diet.

Most people complain about the opsite problem of to much energy.

Feeding grain many times will up their energy.

Something like a sweet feed with carbs in it should help if it is diet related.

Answer 5

he probably is a bit depressed.  i'd see a vet, just make sure it isn't some other problem going on.  you have to keep a close eye on off track horses, sometimes some crazy stuff will pop up even years later.

Answer 6

Many a race horse are trained in company of other race horses or with a pony horse  next to him, it is hard telling what is up with your horse. but I have seen thoroughbreds on and off the track and they act very differently in both situations, esp. after 6 months to a year off the track. They are 2 different horses.

And some of it is the lack of the excitement, and they do get a little depressed for a while.

Also, they are given all kinds of high energy foods and vitamins and drugs on the track, so it could be a combination of things, so the solution might be a combination of things.

Here are some suggestions from an ex. race horse trainer.

First I would try to gallop him with company he seems to perk up like that and this is what he is used to.

then Try doing some exciting stuff with him like take him to a 3 day event, not to be in the event, but to let him see that there are other fun things in life besides racing and/or the humdrum life stuck on the farm. and that with some practice he can have purpose in retirement, his attitude might change.

Also Try this... put a d-bit(this is a bit used in racing a lot and a very gentle one... DON'T do this with a curb bit) in his mouth and instead of letting the reins droop or throwing his head away, actually grab the reins and pick his head up and pull back on the reins with a bit of tension and click to him or like a loud kissing sound(jockeys make that sound a lot), some race horses love this, they want to feel you and the bit in their mouth, and will perk right up from this.

Someone suggested to feed him a bit more oats this might be part of the puzzle.

So start doing something that will give him a purpose and actually show him what that purpose is by letting him see  other horses and riders doing it, even if it is just trail riding, take him out riding with other horses.

DON'T FORGET Horses love company.

I really think he is bored and a bit down, don't be too hard on him, try to give him a purpose and some fun and excitement, give him time to adjust to his new life.

Well, hope this helps.

OH.. P.S. Whipping is not gonna help...we call it beating a dead horse, and could have a negative effect, so I would say keep the whip in the barn. I never exercised or trained with a whip, it is a tool reserved for the races only, and I would tell all my jockeys to use it sparingly if at all.

AND someone said something about spurs, bad suggestion don't listen to it. Some carrots that's good.

Sukie taudry and strawbe..... offered some great clues to your puzzle, LISTEN TO THEM. I can tell they are talking from experience.

It would be nice to know how long you have had him, did you buy him off the track, how long has he been off the track??? clues like this would really help. Is he sound or does he have the lumps and bumps from a lifetime as a warrior, you know, a bowed tendon, chips in his knees, arthritis in his ankles, fluid in his ankles...this kind of info. would be nice to know.