The thoughtful horseman's roadmap to understanding, caring for, and retraining the off-track Thoroughbred.
In Thoroughbred Logic, eventer and sporthorse trainer Aubrey Graham walks riders, trainers, and Thoroughbred-lovers through this practical, philosophy-driven guide to understanding, purchasing, restarting, and developing the off-track Thoroughbred.
Based on her popular retraining column, Aubrey blends academic research with 40 years of hands-on experience, giving riders a peek behind the curtain of the Thoroughbred industry to better understand how a racing career shapes a Thoroughbred's body and mind. With an emphasis on balance, forward riding, thoughtful management, and clear communication, it offers a humane, effective system for bringing these athletes into second careers in the hunter, jumper, eventing, and dressage rings, as well as Western disciplines or pleasure riding.
Inside, you'll discover:
How horses move through the industry, from foaling to the backside to the winners circle (or not) and how this impacts the way they learn
How to read and interpret race records, pedigree charts, and dosage profiles like a pro
What pre-purchase exams reveal-and what they miss
The tools to decode OTTB sale ads and conformation photos with confidence
How to make the right feeding, shoeing, turnout, and health management choices from day one
How to navigate letdown and the "post-track body crash" realistically
Step-by-step groundwork, first rides, balance, and adjustability
Exercises to develop straightness, strength, and rhythm
How to distinguish pain from behavior and tackle speed, anxiety, and tension head-on
Rather than prescribing rigid formulas, this book teaches readers how to better understand the horse standing in front of them: where he came from, what he knows, and what he needs. It dispels common myths (including the idea that every OTTB is a "rescue") and replaces them with practical expectations grounded in how these horses are actually raised and trained.
At its heart is a clear training philosophy built on flexibility, boundaries without micromanagement, and why having a sense of humor is nonnegotiable! Whether you're purchasing your first OTTB, bringing one home from the track, or refining your restart system, this guide equips you with the knowledge to help these horses thrive.
