New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced on Monday, Feb. 12 the release of its second book, Track to Trail, a Simple Guide to Transitioning Standardbreds from Racehorse to Riding Horse.
Standardbreds finish their days on the track with a wealth of training and experience, setting them up perfectly for future careers in a variety of disciplines. Still, they need guidance and instruction as they develop the skills necessary to thrive in their next adventures. In Track to Trail, Dot Morgan, founder of and original trainer at America’s oldest and largest retired racehorse adoption program, shares what Standardbreds already know and the step-by-step process she used to take these exceptional horses from track to trail.
“This information comes from 60 years of raising, training, racing and riding Standardbreds, along with personally transitioning close to 1,000 of them to trail riding,” said Morgan. “It’s so much easier than most people think, if you know and utilize the vast foundation that is already in place.”
New Vocations Standardbred program director Winnie Nemeth concurs: "This book is so important because it beautifully illustrates what our Standardbreds learn at the track and the strong foundation they receive daily as a racehorse. It then describes how to build on those skills to transition the horse to riding. It’s this knowledge and perspective that I gained as the daughter of a fifth generation harness trainer and as a national level equestrian that has helped me transition Standardbreds for the past 20 years."
Track to Trail is available to purchase through the New Vocations website. New Vocations’ first book, Beyond the Track: Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racehorse to Riding Horse, is also available there.
Early feedback on the book from readers has been positive.
“This book is outstanding! I both laughed and cried," said reader Pat Robinson, a racehorse adopter. "I was so happy to read about the unique Standardbred traits and behaviours like the constant chomping of the bit, the dramatic head tosses and initial tendency to stumble with a rider – what a perfect description. Without the info. in this book, it would be easy for someone to take exception with these behaviours. The chapter on 'What Your Standardbred Wants You to Know' really made me teary eyed. The pictures are outstanding and I love that both Western and English riders are included. I was expecting a pretty good book, but this is so much better than what I thought!”
“Just finished Track to Trail," said Ashley Tetrick, a U.S. Trotting Association director. "It’s truly incredible! I was blown away! It’s so smart. I loved the 'What Your Standardbred Wants You To Know' section.”
“I read the book, cover to cover this morning," said Jennifer Daniels, executive director of the Standardbred Transition Alliance. "Could not put it down. So incredibly well done. In every way. It’s perfect! Congratulations to you, Dot, and everyone else who got that in print!”
“Track to Trail is one of the best-written books about Standardbreds and transitioning a harness horse to the trails that I’ve ever seen," said Sherry Hilton, an avid trail rider and adopter. "Dot Morgan has covered it all from the beginning to the end. She has put so much knowledge from her own personal experiences and research. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to purchase or adopt an ex-harness horse for pleasure riding.”
Founded in 1992, New Vocations has grown into the largest racehorse adoption charity in the U.S. Through its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses, New Vocations has placed more than 8,500 Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds in experienced, loving homes and serves over 500 retirees each year. With facilities in Kentucky, Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, New Vocations works directly with racing owners and trainers in need of aftercare options and adopters seeking horses for pleasure, sport and companions.
(With files from New Vocations)