Maintaining your OTT's condition

Healthy Weight and Body Condition

A practical guide to maintaining condition

Maintaining a healthy body condition is an important part of your Thoroughbred's health and wellbeing.

When a horse leaves racing, their body condition can change as their workload, diet, environment and routine change. Some horses may lose weight as they adjust, while others may gain condition once their racing workload decreases.

There is no single ideal weight or appearance for every Thoroughbred. The aim is to maintain a healthy condition that is appropriate for your individual horse and their lifestyle.

Look beyond the rug

One of the simplest ways to monitor your horse's condition is to regularly take their rug off and look at and feel their body.

A rug can make a horse appear to be in better condition than they actually are, particularly during winter when a thick coat can also hide changes.

Check areas including:

• Ribs
• Neck and crest
• Withers
• Behind the shoulder
• Back and topline
• Hindquarters

Get into the habit of checking your horse regularly rather than relying on how they look from a distance.

Taking photographs from the same angles every few weeks can also help you notice gradual changes.

Body condition can change after racing

A Thoroughbred leaving racing may look very different as their workload and lifestyle change.

Their energy requirements can reduce significantly once they stop race training, while changes in pasture, diet, turnout and routine can all affect their condition.

Some horses maintain their weight easily. Others can lose condition during the transition.

Don't assume that weight loss is simply part of “letting down”.

If your horse is losing weight, consider the whole picture, including:

• What and how much they are eating
• The quality and availability of pasture and forage
• Changes in workload
• Stress or changes in their environment
• Dental health
• Parasite management
• Previous health issues
• Whether they are accessing all of the feed provided

Feed for the horse in front of you

A diet that worked for your horse while racing may not be appropriate once their workload changes.

Equally, reducing their feed too quickly can contribute to unwanted weight loss.

Monitor your horse's condition and adjust their diet according to their individual needs, rather than making changes based solely on their previous racing diet or what another horse is eating.

If you are concerned about your horse's condition, particularly during the first few weeks or months after leaving racing, speak with an equine nutritionist. They can help assess the overall diet and whether it is meeting your horse's nutritional requirements.

Learn more about feeding → Feeding Guide for New Thoroughbred Owners 

Don't overlook other factors

If your horse is struggling to maintain condition, adding more feed is not always the answer.

Dental problems, parasites, pain, gastric problems, illness, stress and changes in environment can all affect weight and condition.

If your horse is losing weight without an obvious explanation, or continues to lose condition despite appropriate feeding, seek veterinary advice.

Your nutritionist and veterinarian can work together to help identify what may be contributing to the change.

Monitor condition as workload changes

Your horse's requirements will change as their lifestyle changes.

A horse doing very little work after racing will have different energy requirements from one beginning regular schooling or preparing for competition.

Continue to regularly assess body condition as workload, pasture and seasons change.

The goal is not to maintain the physique your horse had as a racehorse, but to maintain a healthy condition that supports their current life.

A simple condition checklist

• Take your horse's rug off regularly and check their condition by looking and feeling.
• Don't rely on appearance through a rug or winter coat.
• Regularly check their ribs, neck, withers, topline and hindquarters.
• Take photographs to track changes over time.
• Monitor condition closely when your horse first leaves racing.
• Don't assume weight loss is simply part of the transition.
• Consider diet, pasture, workload, dental care, parasites and other health factors.
• Speak with an equine nutritionist if you are concerned about maintaining condition.
• Seek veterinary advice for unexplained or ongoing weight loss.
• Reassess your horse's requirements as their workload and lifestyle change.

This guide provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual veterinary, nutritional or professional advice.