July 28, 2009 — Beyond the Track: Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racehorse to Riding Horse by Anna Morgan Ford, Program Director of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption, and Amber Heintzberger, and published by Trafalgar Square Books won first prize in the Equine-Related Book category of the American Horse Publication Awards Contest held June 27 in New Orleans, La. This visually stunning “and very well organized” book would be a “great guide for anyone restarting a horse’s training, OTTB [Off-the-Track Thoroughbred] or not,” commented the judges.
With recent public and media focus on the world of horse racing and its practices, and the nation’s current–and as yet unresolved–issue of “unwanted horses,” Beyond the Track is meant to provide today’s horse person a responsible, understandable, and comprehensive step-by-step program for transitioning Thoroughbreds from life on the backstretch to life as a companion, trail horse, or competitive mount. Many Thoroughbreds are unable to meet their racing potential–whether due to a lack of speed, behavioral problems, or early injury–which leaves these wonderful horses desperate for new homes and new “jobs.” As Ford explains in the introduction to her book, there is great potential in every ex-racehorse–they are notoriously supremely athletic and “have great hearts, too,” she writes. “Once a Thoroughbred is retrained for riding, he’ll do anything for his rider and handler… Give these guys a job to do, and they will wholeheartedly give it their all!”
In the hopes that Beyond the Track will help find happy new homes for thousands of ex-racehorses today and in the years to come, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. You can find out more about adopting a retired Thoroughbred at www.horseadoption.com.
Beyond the Track is available from www.EquineNetworkStore.com or by calling 1-800-952-5813. Read excerpts from the book: Which Thoroughbred Best Fits My Needs? and Common Causes of Weight Loss in OTTBs.
In addition, the EQUUS magazine book Healthy Hooves: The EQUUS Guide to Understanding Your Horse’s Feet and Keeping them Sound received second place in the Equine-Related book category. “A very well put together compilation of information-rich articles on a subject critical to all horse owners. Nicely augmented with excellent photos and clear illustrations and section heads,” commented the judges.
To order Healthy Hooves, visit www.EquineNetworkStore.com or call 1-800-952-5813
