Fairmaiden Farms, Ltd

07/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100000283583392/posts/7350473258305387/

You’re proudly showing off your new off-track prospect to your barn bestie as he’s settling into his new stall at home. “Where did you rescue him from?” she asks eagerly.

How you respond to this (common) question depends on several factors involved with your horse purchasing or adoption process, but chances are, your horse was not a true rescue, and incorrectly calling him a rescue belies an entire industry dedicated to breeding, raising and producing him for the racetrack. Let’s examine this issue closer in the Equestrian Industry track of our OTTB 101 education section!

https://www.therrp.org/education/ottb-101/equestrian-industry/why-your-ottb-probably-isnt-a-rescue/

29/06/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159422960851088&id=503076087

🌟 Introducing Sarah Murphy's Incredible Equestrian Journey and the Horses That Shaped It! 🐴❤️
Join us as we dive into the extraordinary equestrian journey of Sarah Murphy, a passionate individual whose love for horses has been deeply rooted in her family's legacy. From a young age, Sarah was captivated by the stories of her hardworking grandfather, a logger who relied on horses before the age of mechanization. These tales sparked a lifelong passion for these majestic creatures.
Throughout her life, Sarah has worked tirelessly to advance in the equestrian industry, constantly seeking knowledge and striving for excellence. A pivotal moment in her journey occurred when she took on the challenge of retraining her first Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) at the age of 25. This transformative experience marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in Sarah's equestrian adventure. 🏇✨
Recently, Sarah had the privilege of rehabilitating a courageous little bay horse from Ohio, UFO (JC Unbridled Flourish), who had suffered a chipped knee. Against all odds, this resilient companion completed an impressive 600 miles of a 1,000-mile ride, leading to Sarah's admittance into the prestigious Long Riders Guild. The determination and spirit of these incredible equine partners continue to inspire Sarah each day.
Next, Meet Abe the Babe (JC English Abbey), a special horse in Sarah Murphy's life. Gifted to her by his owner/breeder and race trainer, Abe is not only a talented companion but also a full brother to a horse Sarah once groomed at the track training barn. Their bond runs deep, and Abe's affectionate nature reminds Sarah of their beautiful connection, as he used to shower her with loving licks, just like a devoted puppy dog. 💕
Among Sarah's most cherished memories is a precious photograph of her and her granddad when she was just a young child on her very first pony. Those early moments laid the foundation for a deep love and respect for horses that has guided her throughout her journey. 🌟
Lennox (JC Prize Fight) holds a special place in Sarah's heart. Despite being sold for an impressive $125,000 as a yearling and winning nearly $80,000, he faced spinal compression. With the guidance of a skilled veterinarian, Sarah decided to give him a year off. Now, after about five rides, they are embarking on a new chapter together, overcoming challenges with optimism and a shared bond. Lennox's spirit and determination serve as a constant reminder that there is always hope and a bright future ahead. 🌈🐎
English Abbey is another remarkable horse in Sarah's life, and she hopes to explore Western Dressage with him. Gifted to her by his owner/breeder and race trainer, English Abbey is a full brother to a horse Sarah once groomed at a track training barn. Their shared lineage and connection fuel their journey together.
Looking ahead, Sarah has exciting plans for Lennox (JC Prize Fight) and English Abbey. She is aiming to take them to the TB Heritage show at the VA Horse Center at the end of the summer, where they will showcase their skills in Western Pleasure. To prepare, a talented young rider in the area will be working with Lennox, ensuring they are ready for the event. The anticipation and preparation are building up as they eagerly await this thrilling opportunity.
Another noteworthy addition to Sarah's equestrian journey is Teller (JC Daddy's Teller), a horse that caught her attention through a compelling 2-year-old Ocala sales ad. This summer, Teller went to a camp for kids with medical needs, offering the healing power of horses to those who require it most. This incredible opportunity allows Sarah to share her passion and make a positive impact on the lives of these children. If you're interested in supporting this meaningful cause, please reach out to Camp Holiday Trails, a camp dedicated to children with medical needs in the Mid-Atlantic region. 🏕️🌺
Lastly, Sarah welcomed Fury (JC Blazin' Fury) into her life after he experienced a starting gate accident. Coming from a rescue organization, TRRAC in PA, Fury's indomitable spirit and resilience continue to amaze Sarah each day. Together, they are forging a bond built on trust, love, and endless possibilities. 🌟
Sarah Murphy remains eternally grateful for the horses that have graced her life, each with their own unique story and journey. They have taught her patience, resilience, and the true meaning of unconditional love. With anticipation and excitement, Sarah looks forward to what the future holds for her and her equine companions.
Let's celebrate the power and beauty of these incredible animals with Sarah. Share your own horse-related stories or leave a comment if you've experienced the transformative power of a horse in your life. Together, let's spread the joy and magic of the equestrian world! 🐴❤️

17/09/2022

Are OTTBs considered a part of the sport of horse racing? Paulick Report editor-in-chief Natalie Voss argues they should be.

17/09/2022

Film delves into how ‘naughty’ horse behavior is often a reflection of underlying musculoskeletal problems.

13/09/2022

02/09/2022

Upcoming New Bolton webinar series : hoping to hit a few of these.

01/09/2022

"Only way that horses win is if you sit there and spend time with 'em. Show 'em that you're tryin' to help 'em. Love 'em. Talk to 'em. Get to know 'em. That's what you gotta do. You love 'em and they'll love you, too." ~ Secretariat’s beloved groom Eddie Sweat, born on this date in 1939

"Sweat was, without question, Secretariat’s best friend, spending long days and even some nights with him," wrote Steve Haskin in 2020. He “left a legacy that will live on as long as people remember the name Secretariat." tinyurl.com/Haskin-Sweat

Photo by Ray Woolfe.

18/08/2022

Either trainer Burton Sipp is an unwitting pariah, or racing is his witting fool. Over the last 40 years, Sipp has faced allegations involving insurance scams and dead horses, animal neglect cases, race-fixing stings and regulatory malfeasance. Not all the accusations against him have stuck. Since t...

06/08/2022

Hug your horse. Then hug them again. 💕

01/08/2022

Look who I found!
Photo cred : Coady Photography

23/07/2022

05/07/2022

The Anderson’s sent a super cute pic of Rob Roy at breakfast. The boys are settling in nicely 💗

24/06/2022

Dr. Mathieu Spriet gave a fascinating presentation discussing the results of over 1,000 PET scans of racehorse fetlocks.

21/05/2022

Industry partners have joined with UK on research that could help vets detect injuries before they become career- or life-ending.

21/05/2022

Sandi Farris is our awesome vet on our board who I get to ask all the pony health related questions of. She’s awesome and everyone should know 💗

Submitted by Island Haven Animal Sanctuary

19/04/2022

Though relaxation is a goal with an off-track Thoroughbred, riding without focus can contribute to distractions and “bad” behavior, Aubrey Graham, anthropologist and trainer at Kivu Sport Horses told Horse Nation. Riding intentionally will keep a horse interested, which in turn will keep him eng...

17/04/2022

We are so thankful for our feeding volunteers without which we couldn’t keep all the gears turning!

Caught up with superstars Mike and Kelley Anderson who came by to love on Lennox and feed him some post birthday carrots 🥕💗🎉

22/03/2022

https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/retired-racehorses-fare-better-than-other-breeds-in-behavior-study/?fbclid=IwAR2PKM3BDtfEunDZhjAbPiaGVukcFaSpBP9oVzZnnWAVvQHJCfvaL1aB3UU

There are a plethora of preconceived notions surrounding racehorses and their ability to be quality riding mounts once they're done racing. At the forefront of these is the idea that most of them are not suitable for riding careers after racing. Assumptions about the breed include that retired raceh...

27/01/2022

https://thehorsefund.org/teller-update-january-2022/

Read the newest update on Daddy's Teller, an 8 year old gelding, who ran for WV Stables in 2018, to see what he's doing as an OTTB.

25/01/2022

We're almost to the end of the first month of 2022, and rescue statistics have been on my mind this month. That's natural since I've pulled together a lot of numbers this month to prepare for the Board of Directors meeting and then to let our members and supporters know how 2021 went for the rescue.

One animal welfare statistic that really bothers me is "length of stay". The idea is that you want to get the animals who come to you adopted out as quickly as possible. On the surface, that seems like a perfect plan: get a horse in, find an adopter quickly, and create space for another horse that needs help. And, sadly, there are always more horses needing help.

The problem with length of stay statistic, in my opinion, is that horses are big, complex, emotional creatures. Horses who come to us emaciated might need at least a few months of refeeding before they're at a healthy weight, and most adopters don't want the expense of rehabilitating a horse or to take on a horse when they don't know what that horse knows.

Horses who come in with horrible hooves might need several months of quality farrier care before we can determine if the horse will be sound enough to ride, will be comfortable as a pet or companion, or may, unfortunately, need to be euthanized.

Weight and hooves are often the quickest things to fix, too. We get horses who haven't been handled, horses who weren't handled or trained well, and horses who've had traumatic training/handling experiences in their past. These horses aren't ready to go back out as riding horses or even pets. They need time to decompress and then they need careful training and handling to recover from their pasts. Some might never fully recover.

One of my foster horses, Fancy, is a perfect example of this. We don't know her history. When she arrived to her first foster home, she was incredibly leery of people. In fact, she wouldn't let her foster home anywhere near her. She had to be run down into a small pen and then onto a trailer to get to me, and when she arrived we had to let her unload straight into the barn aisle and herd her into a stall. She was with me over a month before I could touch her, even in a stall. And now, almost three months later, I'm the only one who can touch her - and I have to move slowly and deliberately, paying careful attention as I work my way closer to her. And sometimes I can pet her side without her moving away. Sometimes she whirls around and runs away from me.

She's turned out now in a small paddock, but now that she's out I can't catch her. We're starting back over with slow approaches and petting her side. Eventually, she'll let me catch her again. I won't rush this, though, because I don't want to cause her to have a massive set back. She's clearly had enough trauma in her life.

I have no idea how long Fancy will be with me. Helping her overcome her past will take just as long as it takes. And I'm so grateful that our organization doesn't focus on "length of stay". I'm grateful that our donors and supporters understand that sometimes, a horse will be with us for a long time. I'm glad they make sure we have the funds to care for the horses we help, whether that horse is with us for a month or for years.

Rehabilitating emotionally fragile horses just takes as long as it takes. As long as we're working on it (and Fancy and I work on it every single day - this morning I was out in the rain chatting with her and petting her side), then we're doing the best we can to change their world. And that's what we need to focus on: changing the world for each horse we commit to helping.

22/01/2022

If I was a horseman, I would know that unbalanced Thoroughbred racehorses breakdown. I would look at finish line videos and see that almost every American-trained Thoroughbred racehorse runs slightly slanted to the left, unbalanced in its action and stride. If I was a horseman, I would know or learn how to balance a racehorse. I would know it is impossible to produce balanced racehorses training and racing around left turns only.

If I was a horseman, I would not allow exercise riders or jockeys to ride acey-ducey—putting their weight slightly off center on my racehorses’ backs—adding to unbalancing my Thoroughbreds. Nor would I allow exercise riders to hold a neck strap or martingale (bib) and a rein in one hand, pulling my racehorses’ heads unnaturally to one side contributing to unbalancing my racehorses.

If I was a horseman, I would know that the seven minutes maximum the average American Thoroughbred spends on the training track is not enough training time for developing the bone, ligament, and tendon densities, plus heart and lung strength necessary to withstand the rigors of racing.

If I was a horseman, I would know or learn what type of track work is needed to develop sound, non-bleeding racehorses able to withstand racing’s pressures. I would study the training schedules of old-time trainers during the days of America’s drug-free iron racehorses that raced every seven to 14 days, started 20 times as 2-year-olds, stayed sounder while making more starts, and breezed two or three times a week. I would study modern leading Australian trainers who breeze their horses two or three times per week, sometimes at their full race distances. I would know that breezing once a week does not provide enough race specific exercise to keep my horses race-fit and sound, and to prevent them from bleeding. I would know that using harmful, unnecessary, yet legal race-day drugs—such as Salix, clenbuterol, and Butazolidin—and injecting joints with steroids are negatively affecting my racehorses’ health and racing longevity.

If I was a horseman, I would walk my horses for 15-30 minutes before they go on the training track, starting a correct and necessary warm up process. I would slow jog my racehorses for at least a half-mile before they work, to continue a correct and necessary warm up process; and I would slow jog them for a mile after they work out, providing a correct and necessary lactic acid flush of their muscular systems.

If I was a horseman, I would sand roll my racehorses after every workout, before they are hosed off or washed so that they would not roll in their stalls, casting and injuring themselves unnecessarily.

If I was a horseman, I would hot walk my horses to the left on the day they worked right turns, and I would hot walk my horses to the right on the day they worked left turns to help prevent arthritic back and neck conditions that affect far too many left-turn only American Thoroughbreds.

If I was a horseman, I would know that tree-less exercise saddles cause the sore backs prevalent in far too many American racehorses. I would know that when riders stand up in the stirrups for slow gallops, they are forcing my horses to work off the forequarters (pounding the ground), that if the riders sit down in the saddle (as they do in South America), it would help my racehorses work off their hindquarters, developing more driving power, and helping keep them sound.

If I was a horseman, I would know that a horse (or human) standing unnaturally still and stiff in a tight space like a racetrack stall for 23 hours per day is susceptible to arthritic conditions. I would know that horses need an hour afternoon walk in the sun to keep their limbs mobile and to receive some of the vital natural vitamin D that helps keep horses sound and healthy. I would provide small sun-yards for my racehorses so that weather permitting, they could spend a second hour in the sun each day, rather than spending 23 hours locked in far too small a stall while breathing virus- and bacteria-laden air.

If I was a horseman, I would not overfeed and underwork my racehorses. I would provide good, clean, dust-free hay, clean water, and fresh-cut green-chop for my racehorses.

If only I was really a horseman.

-Earl Ola

29/11/2021

A brilliant set of photos in Animal Therapy Magazine so show the difference in movement, way of going and balance in the racehorse vs the dressage horse.
Defiantly worth digesting when re training your ex racer and the questions/asks of them when re training and what muscles are weaker/stronger/need developing.
The biggest change is the direction of movement and how much we have to change and alter their balance when re training and how/why dressage is so polar opposite to racing!

27/10/2021

All our guys benefit from oil added to their diets. Here are a few reasons why!

As we head into winter, it's very common to feed an oil, but do you know what the many benefits of feeding an oil are?

✅ Skin and Coat – feeding an oil is excellent for skin and coat condition, it is advisable for an oil to be fed to horses who suffer from conditions such as dry flaky skin or a dull coat.

✅ Respiratory Health – research carried out in 2014 proved favorable for the inclusion of Omega-3 in the diet for horses who suffer from inflammatory airway disease.

✅ Digestive Health and Gastric Ulcers – including an oil in a horses diet is not only of benefit to help keep faeces moist and maintain digestive transit, but it may also prove beneficial for horses who suffer from gastric ulcers, where a total diet low in starch and high in oil is advised.

✅ Tying Up – recommendations for feeding horses who suffer from Tying -Up/PPSM include a low starch high oil diet, the inclusion of an oil in the ration of these horses can help in the management of these conditions without having to reduce calorie intake for performance horses.

✅ Joint Health – there are multiple studies in both human and animal promoting the inclusion of a balanced Omega oil in the diet to help with joint inflammation.

✅ Fertility – the inclusion of Omega-3 in the diet for both mares and stallions is of benefit for reproductive health.

Find out more about which oil is best for your horse ➡️ foranequine.com/expert-advice/what-oil-feed-my-horse

23/10/2021

A new study has shown that owners of retired Thoroughbred racehorses feel that many stereotypes of the breed are ultimately untrue. Dr. Lillian Hellmann and colleagues from the University of Sydney, Auburn University, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences created a study to try to bett...

07/10/2021

14/09/2021

by Fran Jurga

10/09/2021

12/08/2021

06/08/2021

“Why can’t I ride a Thoroughbred straight off the racetrack to try it before purchase? This is unfair!”

We get comments along the lines of this every single year when we are helping to rehome retiring racehorses. So, it’s time for another conversation about this.

First and foremost, a track broke horse is broke w/t/c but they will be racing fit, meaning unless you’re riding 5* event horses, they’re likely fitter than anything you’ve sat on. They’re also trained to run into the bridle, ridden with a “cross” or a “bridge” in the reins whilst on the racetrack. This is different from how most riders ride and there is a reason why exercise riders and jockeys are some of the fittest riders. It’s not an easy job.

When we are selling them directly from the racetrack, they can only be jogged on the concrete outside of the barns to assess soundness. The only place to ride is the racetrack. You need have a license to ride as an exercise rider to ride on the racetrack. Allowing inexperienced riders who haven’t learned how to safely ride racehorses out onto a busy track with lots of other horses — some of which will be working past at fast speeds — dangerous. Unnecessary. Doesn’t give you any real clue of how the horse will be at their new job or once you start training. Want the best chance to trial ride OTTBs? Go work hard and get your gallop license.

Now, when they’re not at the racetrack but haven’t been restarted, the same still applies. You’re buying a green horse and getting a greatly reduced price because of it. If you want the bells and whistles of being able to try the horses and decide if it is suitable for you based on how it feels, then pay more and get something that has been restarted. It is not fair to the horse to have their first introduction to a new career to be several random riders, many of which will over sell their skill, getting on them and putting them through their paces, sometimes having unreasonable expectations. This is how you very quickly ruin and sour horses. It is also high risk to the owners because they could be letting people on their horses who will create new issues.

You can get a very good idea of soundness and overall health from watching the horse move and from a vet check. You can get an idea of how the horse goes through its paces by watching a qualified track rider or trainer ride it, if they’re willing to do this for you (I do this for the videos of a lot of mine). In fact, that will give you a better idea of what the horse is like than someone without the experience of knowing what a horse straight off the racetrack feels like getting on and trying to figure out what buttons the horse has.

It isn’t rude. It isn’t sneaky or hiding anything. It’s called making decisions for the well-being of the horse and overall safety of everyone involved. With started horses with more experience, we still have people lie about ability, come out and try the horse and create dangerous situations. With a race fit horse, this could be catastrophic. It also, bottom line, isn’t fair to any super green horse to make their intro to their new job by essentially making them a carousel and playing musical riders, with no real idea of experience level until the person is on the horse.

Just like I wouldn’t want to let people try unbroke horses or horses who’ve only had a handful of rides, I don’t want people ruining our race fit prospects and this is how many trainers feel. A gallop license is the only real tangible proof of showing you’re qualified to get on, unless you have mutual connections to vouch for you. If you do not have one, you have no right to try to complain or pressure people into letting you onto a horse that is being sold as a prospect.

Extend your budget and get something restarted (or offer over asking to give an incentive for the horse to be restarted so you can try it) or learn how to look at prospects from the ground and assess their suitability for your discipline. I’m of the mind that most people who are qualified, prepared and ready to take on the training of an OTTB should be able to assess from the ground. If this isn’t what you want, all the power to you but instead of having the expectation that you’re entitled to a trial ride when it is a risk to the horse and the owner, be considerate and realize that you have unusual expectations that very well may not be met.

This is a normal practice for ex racehorses. I’ve sat on HUNDREDS, if not over a thousand at this point, of thoroughbreds on and off of the track. I can count on one hand the number I’ve actually tried before buying and all of those except for one I only “tried” because I galloped while working at the track. The horse you meet at the track when they’re race fit, on high grain diets and have minimal or no turnout is not the one you’ll meet in the new lifestyle anyways, so basing your entire impression of them off of what they’re like as a racehorse isn’t overly accurate.

If you want to buy an OTTB that is not restarted, respect the practice of how they are sold, the risks involved for horse and owner and the lowered price point you get because of this. If it isn’t for you, that’s fine but the entitlement of some people really needs to stop.

Pictured: my mare who was difficult at the track, difficult to restart initially and a total lamb now. I never sat on her until after she had an entire winter off of racing. We assessed her initially off of watching her jog and she’s now one of my nicest horses.

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