In This Issue: Letter from the President National Survey Results RRTP Receives TCA Award Nutrition: Racehorse Reality Check Impressing Jim Wofford Who We Are & What We Do Thoroughbreds For All Kentucky 2014 Thoroughbred Makeover

Elissa Ogburn on Governor Jack & Sara Sopher on Thane Photo by: Sarah K. Andrew

Letter From the President Upcoming Events Steuart Pittman PA Horse World Expo Feb. 27 - March 2 RRTP's approach to placing Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers is Harrisburg, PA catching on. These animals need training in other disciplines to have secure futures, and it takes an army of dedicated equestrians to meet the need. RRTP is working to grow this army with inspiration and education. GoldMark Farm Tour &. Benefit Dinner Our Trainer Challenge , 100-Day Challenge, and March 8th Thoroughbred Makeover showed large audiences just how much fun it is to train an ex-racehorse . Amateurs, Ocala, FL professionals, and even junior riders are demonstrating methods in disciplines where Thoroughbreds excel. Booth at Rolex 3-Day Event People are serious about learning. The seminars at our April 24 - 27 National Symposium were packed and thousands view our online educational articles and videos. Our Facebook likes grew from 12,000 to 22,000 in the first Lexington, KY six weeks of the year, and our website is getting 75,000 hits per month. Thoroughbreds For The RRTP Board of Directors made a major commitment to growth in 2014. Our All! Kentucky expo appearances will continue, our website is being completely re-designed, and this summer w e will publish the state-by-state R etired Racehorse Resource April 25th Directory: a detailed listing of racetracks, placement organizations, retirement Lexington, KY farms, sale barns, agents, trainers, online listings, and any business or organization that specializes in transitioning Thoroughbred racehorses into second careers or retirem ent. Ten thousand copies will go to racetracks and The Thoroughbred riding venues across America. Makeover: A Marketplace &. Mark your calendars for the 2014 Thoroughbred Makeover: a Marketplace and National Symposium National Symposium at Pimlico Racecourse on October 4 and 5 . Our next newsletter will describe in detail what we mean by a marketplace and how Oct. 4 - 5 trainers, organizations, and racing operations can participate. For now, just trust Pimlico Racecourse us. If you love Thoroughbred horses, you will want to attend! Baltimore, MD RRTP Releases National Survey Results

In January, Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) The following conclusions are taken from the full released the results of the first nationwide study of how survey report: Thoroughbred ex-racehorses are transitioned into second careers. The survey, titled Exploring the Bridge • The market for second career racehorses lacks a To Second Careers, asked 23 questions and received strong network through which the sellers, trainers, responses from 4200 owners of ex-racehorses in 47 and buyers can find one another. states and several Canadian provinces. • Prices and adoption fees are so depressed that "The public believes that racing owners dump their subsidies are essential for those providing transition retiring horses into auctions and that a lucky few get services. rescued and adopted," said RRTP president Steuart Pittman. "Our survey tells a different story. Most of • Without increased demand, there is no real financial these horses were not rescued. They were sold incentive to retire horses sound from racing. or donated through networks of people both inside and outside of racing who work very hard to A full copy of Exploring the Bridge transition these animals." to Second Careers is available through RRTP. The survey respondents identified the sport of eventing as their primary riding discipline most often (37%). Hunter/jumper was second at 27%, dressage third at 13%, and then trails and recreation (English) at 9%. 30% Free Average Sale Bridges to Price: Second Careers $2,618 19% Average Sale Price: Free $4,646; 4% Free

RRTP Receives TeA Industry Service Award The and breeding industry awarded the Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) Industry Service Award-one of its highest honors. The award was presented on January 4 at Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.

The TCA's mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting retirement, rescue and research and by helping the people who work with them. The TCA's Industry Service Award is given yearly to an organization that exemplifies that mission.

THOROUGHBRED "We feel humbled to be a part of the amazing group that has received this honor in the CHARITIES OF AMERICA past," said RRTP Vice President, Carolyn Karlson. "Our market-based approach to facilitating the placement of horses is different from what the industry has supported in 2013 Grantee the past, and to be honored in this way confirms for us that we are on the right track."

The TCA Award was received during the TCA's annual dinner and stallion auction that has become a hallmark event for the Thoroughbred breeding industry. Racehorse Reality Check: Nutritional Tips for Your Ex-Racehorse

You may have heard that Thoroughbreds are hard keepers. While this may have a basis in fact - Thoroughbreds and other light breeds tend to expend more energy than heavy breeds or ponies -you should not expect your new horse to be thin. You can maintain a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse in good body condition according to the Henneke Body Condition Scoring scale; some may even get downright pudgy if you're not careful.

Horses in race training have a significantly higher requirement for calories than those in less strenuous work. For example, an 1100 Ib horse at "maintenance" as described by the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements for Horses (NRC) requires between 15.15 and 18.15 megacalories per day in order to maintain normal body functions without gaining or losing weight. This exact same horse, when in intense work, requires 34.48 megacalories per day! Regardless of whether he's an active or lazy Thoroughbred, his racetrack energy requirement is basically double that of an idle horse.

To meet these high nutritional demands, racehorses are often fed a diet that is high in energy concentrates (often grain-based) and low in forage. The NRC estimates that for racehorses, the average amount of food consumed per day is between 2-2.5% of the body weight in dry matter (DM). This equates to approximately 24-30 pounds of feed per day, of which as much as 15 pounds may be grain!

Here are some tips for feeding your ex-racehorse:

• If you can, find out how much and what type of grain your racehorse was being fed.

• Weigh your horse's feed: Scoops and feeds have different weights per quart; We have seen hays where a flake weighs 2 pounds and another where a flake weighs 5 pounds. The only way to be sure how much feed your horse is getting is to weigh it!

• Do NOT cut your new horse's grain cold turkey! Make changes to the diet gradually. If we get a horse in good condition straight from the racetrack, we can maintain that condition by gradually reducing the concentrates to meet the lower caloric requirements of a horse in light-moderate work. You may find that his physique will change with a let-down, but try to stay one step ahead of any change in body condition by offering a high quality forage and, if necessary, a grain mix.

tecld_th4a..fI~1frlticlle on www.RetiredRacehorseTraining.org ~--- • A second Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium at Pimlico Racecourse on October 4 and 5 Who We Are that will include a marketplace of horses for sale or adoption, a team challenge, an expanded trade show, and What We Do: and educational seminars, • A re-launch of its heavily trafficked website to include expanded educational resources and Retired Racehorse directories, and

• The compilation and distribution of the first printed Training Project and online state-by-state Retired Racehorse Resource Directory. The Retired Racehorse Training Project is an effort to increase demand for retired Thoroughbred racehorses as pleasure and We are supported through your generous donations sport horses through public events, clinics, training publications, and sponsorships. RRTP is a charitable organization videos and internet tools. Our mission is to facilitate the under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses in second careers Donations are tax deductible pursuant to applicable by educating the public about the history, distinctive laws. characteristics, versatility of use, and appropriate care and training of the iconic American Thoroughbred.

Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) is planning a major expansion of its work in 2014, including: Retired Racehorse Training Project

Want to Help? We have many sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Julie Magruder at 704-309-8055 or [email protected] www.RetiredRacehorseTraining.org

Linda Zang, Lynn ~. oughbred Makeover Symansky, and Ro A Marketplace & National Symposium Last year's RRTP Thoroughbred Makeover and National Napravnik He ne Symposium at Pimlico was a huge success by all accounts. Planning is well underway for an expanded Thorou ds For event on October 4 and 5, once again at the home of the All cky . This year's Makeover will feature a large marketplace Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program with Thoroughbred ex-racehorses at all stages of training once again on April 25 to present in all disciplines. It will also include an invitational team For All Kentucky on the Friday evening of challenge in which top trainers team up with major racing Rolex Kentucky CCI****. operations around a worthy horse. Graham and Anita Motion have joined forces with Phillip Dutton to present The evening begins with dinner at 5:30 and includes a Icabad Crane, who ran third in the Preakness Stakes and presentation of Club awards to the riders of is being trained as an eventer. Nine other teams will be Thoroughbreds at Rolex, in-hand assessment of recent formed and the public will vote for a winner. New Vocations arrivals, and demonstrations. Panelists for educational seminars and demonstrations Lynn Symansky, who placed 5th last year at Rolex on will be announced in OTTB Donner, and Linda Zang, US Dressage Federation the coming months. If Hall of Fame competitor, trainer and judge will evaluate you want to be part of horses and coach riders. Superstar jockey Rosie Napravnik the growing army will appear on her own personal favorite ex-racehorse in that transitions these both western and jumping tack while sharing her insights magnificent animals on Thoroughbred racehorses as versatile mounts for all from racing to riding, disciplines. mark your calendars now for that first On Sunday morning all ticket holders are invited to an weekend in October. educational tour and demonstration at the nearby You will be inspired. Thoroughbred Training Center hosted by Chris McCarron and his North American Racing Academy.