Off The Track Thoroughbred Success is dedicated to compassionate retraining of Off The Track Thoroughbreds.
We offer valuable education, tutorials, training and support for all aspects of rehabilitation and retraining your Off The Track Thoroughbred.
16/07/2025
Equitation Science International embodies the philosophy that horses are blameless participants in training, and that it is the responsibility of humans to provide clear, consistent, and informed guidance.
We strive to modernise horse training with the latest scientific data on the natural behaviour of horses, their learning processes, human and equine biomechanics, handler and rider effects, and attachment.
When horse training is aligned with these elements, it becomes optimally successful and safe, thus greatly improving horse welfare in the equestrian sport.
15/07/2025
This is why it is so important to learn the pain scale ethograms and pain scale facial expressions. Horses are so good at hiding pain and I do sometimes feel that positive reinforcement can help hide resistance and underlying signs of discomfort. I would be interested to see some research done on this as this is my own thought here. All in all while training our horses, I think it is really important to observe facial expressions, body language and subtle communication to really know how a horse is feeling, both in positive reinforcement training and negative reinforcement training.
He wasn’t naughty
He wasn’t an a**hole
He wasn’t “just being difficult”
He was however so skeletally compromised that a comfortable ridden life was never going to happen and time was against him. Not every horse is suitable to be ridden just the same as not every human is compatible with being an athlete. We need to normalise that behaviour is communication. We need to accept that there are many things in a horses body that make riding super hard for them.
This horse went through two breakers before his owner very diligently persisted with positive reinforcement training. He did make excellent progress, that is to be commended! But here’s my issue, positive reinforcement sometimes still masks these issues. It became obvious to his owner that he was becoming more internalised and less happy even in the paddock. Horses will try harder if you ask them nicely and there’s rewards for good behaviour. I’m not saying positive reinforcement is bad, it’s a great tool….im just saying it can mask serious issues. The biggest give away was how seriously assymetric he was. This is something I have felt many times while ridng these types. Asymmetry is normal but riding a horse that has wildly different left and right reins is not normal.
This is so complex on so many levels, so many.
Ever met a horse that was odd from birth? I believe inherited trauma is also a real factor, if you haven’t read the study on mice and how it took many generations to stop passing along, I suggest you do. It’s now well documented in humans too. Link below.
I help Off The Track Thoroughbreds transition from a racehorse to a calm and confident equestrian horse using COMPASSIONATE TRAINING and WHOLISTIC REHABILITA...
12/07/2025
Let me help you transform your Ottb from a racehorse to a calm and confident equestrian horse:
For those who are new to my page,
Hi, my name is Karin and I am a professional ottb retrainer. I have worked with thoroughbred racehorses for over 20 years, both in racing and re training them for a life after racing. I love them dearly and love helping those who take them on after racing.
Join me below where I take you through a step by step programme on getting started on a path to success with your Ottb. Please feel free to comment or pm me with any questions😊🐎
Step by Step Off The Track Thoroughbred Retraining System
09/07/2025
Recent research published in the journal Animal shows a clear link between horse welfare and rider safety.
Horses in facilities with better welfare—characterised by fewer health problems, higher haemoglobin levels, and more positive behaviour towards humans—were associated with the lowest number of rider falls during lessons.
In contrast, horses showing signs of poor welfare, such as chronic pain, apathy, aggression, or anaemia, were associated with more rider accidents.
The study also found that positive, attentive human-horse interactions during care and riding improved welfare, while rushed or minimal interaction worsened it.
Management practices like the frequency of turnout or the teaching strategies employed by riding instructors—were also found to be highly influential.
For example, the facility with the best welfare outcomes provided more frequent turnout and riding instruction that emphasised horse comfort rather than strict control. This approach not only improved horse welfare but also resulted in safer riding environments and a reduced risk of accidents.
This study, though modest in scale, clearly demonstrates that investing in horse welfare brings tangible benefits beyond simply having healthier, happier animals.
Facilities that make even small improvements in management—such as increasing turnout and providing more attentive care—see direct enhancements in horse welfare, which in turn results in fewer rider accidents during lessons and lowers the risk of costly legal claims for riding centres.
Ultimately, prioritising horse welfare is both an ethical responsibility and a sound, practical strategy for creating safer, more sustainable riding operations.
Full Study: L. Gueguen, R. Palme, P. Jego, S. Henry, M. Hausberger,
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough,
animal, Volume 19, Issue 6, 2025
07/07/2025
I really like this quote🐎❤️
✨Every great rider was once a beginner.
✨Every soft horse was once unsure.
🙌🏽Growth doesn’t ask for perfection — it asks for presence.
30/06/2025
Very interesting!
Himalayan salt licks are popular due to their natural mineral content and weather-resistant properties, providing essential minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium in their natural form.
Unlike softer, pressed licks, they’re tough enough to prevent horses from biting off chunks and can be safely left outside for self-dosing.
But what do horses think about them?
Researchers at Cornell University decided to find out...
In the study, researchers surveyed 342 horse owners about the types of salt blocks they provided.
They also conducted a salt lick “taste test” with a group of healthy adult horses, using cameras to record which salt block each horse preferred, defined as licking a block for at least one minute.
The team found that when given a choice, horses consistently show a clear preference for plain salt over Himalayan salt licks but showed no notable preference between other combinations, such as plain versus mineralised or mineralised versus selenium.
Therefore if your horse isn’t interested in your himalayan salt block, offering an alternative might be the trick.
Many horses prefer also loose salt, as it’s easier for them to consume the amount they need.
Try placing loose salt in a mineral feeder near your horse’s water source can encourage regular intake and help ensure their sodium requirements are met—supporting hydration and overall health.
Study details: Sill S, Zhao L, Houpt K. Salt preferences of horses for types of NaCl offered. Res Vet Sci. 2024 May;171:105224. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105224. Epub 2024 Mar 11. PMID: 38522126.
29/06/2025
Update: I am out of action with a sinus/chest infection😩🤒. For those who have sent me emails or messages, I will respond asap. 🐎
26/06/2025
Once upon a time, during the era of the classic long-format three-day event—with its demanding steeplechase and roads-and-tracks phases—Thoroughbreds, particularly those from staying bloodlines, were the benchmark for eventing excellence.
Their innate stamina and endurance made them the ideal choice for covering long distances at speed and maintaining focus through gruelling cross-country courses.
Despite a recent and persistent perception that Thoroughbreds are less suitable for elite eventing, a research study released this month has debunked this myth.
A comprehensive 2025 study analysing all global CCI5*-L results from 2014 to 2024 found that purebred Thoroughbreds remain outstanding in the cross-country phase, being “significantly more likely” to jump clear inside the time compared to non-Thoroughbreds.
While Thoroughbreds tended to accrue more penalties in dressage and show jumping than warmbloods, they consistently outperformed other breeds in cross-country, particularly in completing rounds without jump or time faults.
Importantly, there was no significant difference in overall penalties or completion rates between Thoroughbreds and other breeds, confirming a level playing field at the sport’s highest level.
Interestingly, even the studbooks of top eventing breeds such as the Holsteiner and Selle Français are comprised of 45.8% and 52.7% Thoroughbred blood, respectively, underscoring the enduring value of Thoroughbred genetics.
Wastage—where Thoroughbreds are retired from racing due to injury, temperament, or lack of speed—remains a major welfare and ethical concern.
However, with solid evidence of their capability at the highest levels, rehoming organisations and adoption programmes can confidently promote ex-racehorses to a broader audience.
This opens more doors for second careers, not just as companions or leisure horses, but as competitive athletes, and encourages trainers to invest in these horses, knowing their potential extends far beyond the track.
Full details of the study: Walz KR, McCormick ME, Fedorka CE. The Thoroughbred Theory: Influence of Breed on Performance at the CCI5*-L Level of Eventing.
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I am a passionate horse woman with over 20 years of experience working with horses. I am currently doing the Equestrian Australia Level 1 Coaching General and The Diploma of Equitation Science. I specialise in the re education of Off The Track Thoroughbreds. I work with all types of horses and believe in Ethical and kind training that nurtures the mind, body and spirit of the horse. I believe in the horses beauty and strength increasing with training. I am dedicated to teaching riders and trainers worldwide a kind and ethical training system that brings joy to both horse and rider.
MY EXPERIENCE.....
1. I have been working professionally in the thoroughbred racing industry for 15 years including riding track work daily. I have a wealth of experience with the thoroughbred horse and are passionate in their reeducation after racing.
2. I set up and managed my own racehorse spelling and agistment business where I had up to 15 plus horses in my care at a time. This has given me a great deal of experience in horse management, care, nutrition and the running of a successful equine establishment.
3. I studied fulltime for 1 year at The Australian Equine Behaviour Centre with Andrew Mclean.
4. I have done numerous years of handling and educating weanlings and Yearling Preparation.
5. I have competed successfully in Dressage up to medium, showjumping and eventing.
COACHING/EDUCATION EXPERIENCE......
I am an experienced riding instructor having worked in equestrian riding stables where I taught a range of students including children and adults - at varying levels of experience. I have years of extensive study with The Alexander Technique. The Alexander Technique improves body posture and efficiency. I can provide a range of areas to work with in lessons ranging from your position and effectiveness as a rider to the application of clear and concise aids that your horse will understand and then to how your horse is working and carrying himself in his posture, action and mental frame of mind. I believe in kind and ethical horse education, developing a good strong, basic foundation in training and riding that provides wellbeing, confidence and happiness for your horse and you the rider.
