Beyond the Track. Anna Morgan Ford
“Beyond the Track is a must-read for those wishing to own and love a retired racehorse. Covering everything from what a Thoroughbred experiences at the track to how to successfully transition the horse into a second career, the book offers step-by-step training methods and advice in an easy-to-follow format, with detailed photos for reference. As the Thoroughbred Program Director for the oldest and largest racehorse adoption agency in the nation, Anna Ford has helped thousands of retired racehorses transition into second careers, making her a true authority on the process.”
—KRISTIN WERNER LESHNEY, SENIOR COUNSEL
The Jockey Club and Administrator of the Thoroughbred Incentive Program
“Beyond the Track by Anna Ford is breakthrough racehorse literature, concisely covering every facet of what to expect and how to get the most out of your off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB), both mentally and physically. The book could also be called ‘OTTB Training for Dummies’ or ‘OTTB Training A–Z.’ I consider this book the ultimate in training manuals for anyone thinking about adopting an ex-racehorse. Anna Ford is uniquely qualified to be the author of this book, which reads easily and covers every important detail of transitioning a horse from the racetrack to his next career.”
—LIZ HARRIS, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Thoroughbred Charities of America
“I’m a strong supporter of finding good homes for Thoroughbreds once they retire from the racetrack. I think it is great that Anna Ford has put together a book to help assist in the training process. These horses are great athletes and definitely can go on to be successful in new careers with the proper guidance and training. I believe Anna is a special person—through her work and dedication she has made it possible for these Thoroughbreds to have a second chance at life.”
—NICK ZITO, THOROUGHBRED TRAINER
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Inductee
“A great book where very loving, caring people teach others how to share love with a horse, give him new opportunities, and bring out the best in both horse and rider. It is necessary to learn to handle Thoroughbreds the right way, and the author does a great job explaining detail.”
—EDGAR PRADO, JOCKEY
Winner of over 7,000 races and the 2006 Eclipse Award, and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Inductee
Beyond the Track
Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racehorse to Riding Horse
ANNA MORGAN FORD
with Amber Heintzberger and Sarah E. Coleman
Forewords by KAREN O’CONNOR and GEORGE H. MORRIS
First published in 2008 by
Trafalgar Square Books
North Pomfret, Vermont 05053
New edition published 2018
Copyright © 2008, 2018 Anna Morgan Ford
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for a review in a magazine, newspaper, or Web site.
Disclaimer of Liability
The authors and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. While the book is as accurate as the authors can make it, there may be errors, omissions, and inaccuracies.
The authors have made very effort to obtain a release from all persons appearing in the photographs used in this book. In some case, however, the persons may not have been know and therefore could not be contacted.
Trafalgar Square Books encourages the use of approved safety helmets in all equestrian sports and activities.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ford, Anna Morgan.
Beyond the track : retraining the thoroughbred--from racecourse to riding horse / Anna Morgan Ford ; with Amber Heintzberger.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-57076-847-7 (alk. paper)
1. Thoroughbred horse--Training. I. Heintzberger, Amber. II. Title.
SF293.T5F67 2008
636.1’32--dc22
2007048823
Photo credits: Anne M. Eberhardt (pp. 10–1, 15–8, 34, 56, 58, 70, 98, 166–7); Stephanie Moon (pp. 36–7); Audrey C. Crosby (pp. 76–7, 80, 92, 94, 99, 100–1); Winslow Photography (p. 228); Jennay Hitesman (pp. 32, 42, 45–6, 48, 71 bottom, 81 top, 86, 105 left, 218, 220); Emily Lang (pp. xii, 12, 15 top, 22 middle, 23, 28, 139, 156); Jason Stewart (p. 4); Julie Caldwell (pp. 7 bottom, 8, 53–5, 62–3, 66, 71 top, 103, 108, 137 right, 141, 163, 165); Amber Heintzberger (pp. 18 bottom left, 83, 95–7, 102, 159, 177, 189 left, 226, 231); Anna Ford (pp. 7 top, 41, 50 right, 51–2, 57, 72, 81 bottom, 105 right, 112 right,164, 204, 223); John Engelhardt (pp. 16 left, 19, 22 left, right, 168 left, 174); Bob Tarr (p. 31); Carrie Paston (p. 136); Megan Stapley (p. 6); New Vocations (pp. iii, 41, 50 left, 86, 108, 112, 114, 116, 118–9, 122, 124, 126–9, 131–2, 140, 142–9, 150–1, 153–4, 160–3, 165, 168 right, 169, 171–2, 176, 178–9, 180–1, 183–4, 187, 189 right, 190–1, 196, 197, 199, 200–1, 204, 207, 210–1, 213, 215–7, 219, 221–2, 237-8, 240, 245-6); E. Schott (p. 242); LesleyWard.com (p. 235)
Book design by Carrie Fradkin/Layout of new edition by Lauryl Eddlemon
Cover design by RM Didier
eBook design by Prabhati Content
Typefaces: Arno Pro, Hypatia Sans Pro
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
■ Dedication
I would like to dedicate this book to the individuals who and programs that have devoted time and energy to giving off-the-track Thoroughbreds new careers. It is through such efforts that thousands of once unwanted horses can become desirable, with bright, promising futures.
■ Contents
CHAPTER 1 Bred to Run: What Racehorses Know