2.4 A & B Thoroughbreds are often sold by trainers directly from the track. If arranged ahead of time, they will usually agree to show prospects to an interested buyer, set horses up outside their stall so you can examine their conformation, and allow a physical exam to be performed.

      If you are an experienced horse person, and you would like to buy a Thoroughbred directly from a trainer at the racetrack, please consider the following suggestions:

      ▶ Go before 11:00 A.M. when trainers are still at the barn. Most racetracks have a security gate—some are very open to visitors, while others may require a trainer meet you and escort you to the barns, so call ahead to find out.

      ▶ Be sure not to interrupt the morning schedule, but do let trainers know why you are there. Most will be happy to show you the horses they have for sale when they have a free moment.

      ▶ Ask a lot of questions. Make a list in advance, which should include the types of things you would like to know about any potential riding horse (see sidebar).

▶ Do a thorough leg evaluation (see p. 45). Often a trainer will not disclose the horse’s entire health history, but will allow you to look over the horse’s legs to check for any major blemishes or sign of injury. (Note: Most horses will have their legs wrapped, but this does not necessarily mean that the horse is injured. Many wear stable bandages daily for protection and support. Others, however, are wrapped to protect an injury or keep swelling down.)

      ▶ Beware the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like phenylbutazone (“bute”), which are often administered to horses. Bute helps reduce minor swelling, aches, and pain, so can mask an injury. Some trainers will tell you whether a horse is on bute while others will not.

      ▶ Most likely you will not be allowed to ride a horse—nor would you want to! However, trainers are often willing to set up a time for a second visit so you can see the horse jog or gallop with an exercise rider on board.

      ▶ If you plan to buy a horse, bring cash with you. Trainers will be more likely to lower prices for a cash sale rather than a check.

The Adoption Option

      New Vocations and other adoption programs were founded because many owners and trainers needed a safe place to send their ex-racehorses. I highly respect those who take the time to find an adoption program or retirement home for horses they no longer wish to keep. This is a far better decision than some of the examples I mentioned earlier—giving the horse to a ten-year-old girl who wants her first horse, or selling cheap to a horse dealer who then resells the horse to an unsuitable home or a slaughterhouse.

       Questions to Ask when Viewing Horses at the Track

      Take notes! And keep in mind that there may be a varying degree of truth to the answers you receive.

      What is the horse’s registered name and how do you spell it?

      How long have you had the horse in your stable?

      Can you tell me a little about his racing history? How many races? Where were they run? When was his last race?

      Has the horse been injured? If so, when? Has the horse been raced since?

      When was the horse’s last workout?

      How is he to exercise on the track?

      Does the horse require a special bit or equipment, such as blinkers?

      What are his stall manners like?

      Have any of his joints been injected? Which ones, and when?

      Does he have any problematic behaviors or vices?

      When was the horse gelded? (If applicable.)

      The problem faced by many of the adoption and retirement programs in the US today is that there are more horses in need of new homes than there are programs with room to take them. One of my goals in writing this book is to encourage the person who is looking for a Thoroughbred to work with an adoption program. As I mentioned, it is extremely difficult for the average horseman to evaluate a horse at the track and know if he will be suitable. Once a racehorse has been moved to an adoption program’s facility, he has already taken the first steps necessary to transition from the track to a new career, and you will be able to get a much better feel for his potential as a riding horse.

       Which Thoroughbred Best Fits My Needs?

      If you intend to purchase a horse off the track or adopt one through a program, I recommend you engage the assistance of an experienced friend or trainer to help ascertain the horse’s suitability for you and your discipline. Even if you buy and sell horses all the time, a second opinion is always of value.

      The most important step is to ask yourself what level of riding or competition you aspire to, as many OTTBs are athletic enough to pursue any discipline at the lower levels, and most minor injuries will hold up after proper time off. With this in mind, here are a few additional guidelines to consider when evaluating OTTBs. These are generalized suggestions—there is a lot more to consider when choosing a horse for a specific discipline. And note, the examples pictured here are right off the track. Appearance changes with added weight and muscle.