Life after racing
Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 13, 2026, 3:10 PM@NiekH
Do the European racing jurisdictions have any organized programs to place retired Standardbreds into new vocations and/or retirement homes? I am hoping the American programs continue to grow, as I feel it is an important selling point for attracting new owners. I have asked 4 friends and family to think about getting involved, and each independently asked what happens to the horse after racing or if the horse just isn’t successful. The 4 are all avid horse lovers, so I understand where their minds are.
The USTA has a link in its Pathways section where one can attach your name to any registered horse within the USTA database. If the current owner wants to find another avenue for the horse other than conventional route, then a connection can be made. And a big shout out to Dr. Marcia for trying to get so many of TheStable horses freeze branded with the hopes of keeping them out of the kill lots.
BTW, Standardbreds make great family pleasure horses due to their easily trained nature.
Do the European racing jurisdictions have any organized programs to place retired Standardbreds into new vocations and/or retirement homes? I am hoping the American programs continue to grow, as I feel it is an important selling point for attracting new owners. I have asked 4 friends and family to think about getting involved, and each independently asked what happens to the horse after racing or if the horse just isn’t successful. The 4 are all avid horse lovers, so I understand where their minds are.
The USTA has a link in its Pathways section where one can attach your name to any registered horse within the USTA database. If the current owner wants to find another avenue for the horse other than conventional route, then a connection can be made. And a big shout out to Dr. Marcia for trying to get so many of TheStable horses freeze branded with the hopes of keeping them out of the kill lots.
BTW, Standardbreds make great family pleasure horses due to their easily trained nature.
Quote from NiekH on March 15, 2026, 6:58 AMAs far as I know, not really. Most horses I know went off to become riding horses either private or for riding schools or to compete in Endurance riding. I am sure many of the European countries have certain, probably private, programs to give retired trotters a life after their career. But to me it is not well known.
Their willingness to work and compete and their easily trained nature is why they are becoming very popular for Endurance. I do think for the marketing of our sport there should be better care of the retirees.
As far as I know, not really. Most horses I know went off to become riding horses either private or for riding schools or to compete in Endurance riding. I am sure many of the European countries have certain, probably private, programs to give retired trotters a life after their career. But to me it is not well known.
Their willingness to work and compete and their easily trained nature is why they are becoming very popular for Endurance. I do think for the marketing of our sport there should be better care of the retirees.
Quote from Purple Aura on March 16, 2026, 12:36 PMI saw a harness race from Europe this morning. Fourteen horses and every horses name started with the letter M. What the hell was that? LOL. Can't remember the name of the track, had four letters in the name. Never seen that before. I really like the numbers on the Euro horses instead of the saddle pads we use.
I saw a harness race from Europe this morning. Fourteen horses and every horses name started with the letter M. What the hell was that? LOL. Can't remember the name of the track, had four letters in the name. Never seen that before. I really like the numbers on the Euro horses instead of the saddle pads we use.
Quote from NiekH on March 16, 2026, 2:31 PMQuote from Purple Aura on March 16, 2026, 12:36 PMI saw a harness race from Europe this morning. Fourteen horses and every horses name started with the letter M. What the hell was that? LOL. Can't remember the name of the track, had four letters in the name. Never seen that before. I really like the numbers on the Euro horses instead of the saddle pads we use.
In some countries in Europe its mandatory for all horses born in a certain year to start with a certain letter. In your case I assume it was a race for 4yo's. In France the M generation was born in 2022.
For the saddle pads, they colour them by race so every horse in race 4 are yellow for example. And they are plastic boards that sit on the outside of the bike. It means the horse gets less of a sweaty back. Much easier to attach as well in my experience haha! Just 2 clips onto the harness and its attached.
Quote from Purple Aura on March 16, 2026, 12:36 PMI saw a harness race from Europe this morning. Fourteen horses and every horses name started with the letter M. What the hell was that? LOL. Can't remember the name of the track, had four letters in the name. Never seen that before. I really like the numbers on the Euro horses instead of the saddle pads we use.
In some countries in Europe its mandatory for all horses born in a certain year to start with a certain letter. In your case I assume it was a race for 4yo's. In France the M generation was born in 2022.
For the saddle pads, they colour them by race so every horse in race 4 are yellow for example. And they are plastic boards that sit on the outside of the bike. It means the horse gets less of a sweaty back. Much easier to attach as well in my experience haha! Just 2 clips onto the harness and its attached.
Quote from Purple Aura on March 16, 2026, 3:24 PMThanks Niek. I'm glad you joined. Your knowledge is helpful.
Thanks Niek. I'm glad you joined. Your knowledge is helpful.
Quote from MaywoodAl on March 16, 2026, 4:45 PMThere are some breeders in the US that name their horses with the same letter for a given year.
Rose Run is one example.
There are some breeders in the US that name their horses with the same letter for a given year.
Rose Run is one example.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 17, 2026, 7:44 AMQuote from NiekH on March 16, 2026, 2:31 PMFor the saddle pads, they colour them by race so every horse in race 4 are yellow for example. And they are plastic boards that sit on the outside of the bike. It means the horse gets less of a sweaty back. Much easier to attach as well in my experience haha! Just 2 clips onto the harness and it’s attached.
The North American tracks have gone away from the same color for a race for the most part. I believe that the track announcers drove that change to help them identify the horses. Can anybody confirm or correct this idea?
One of the Ohio fair announcers had a total hot mic meltdown after the Gene Riegle Memorial at the Darke CO. Fair in 2024. All the pads were in Riegle’s famed Green/Red colors to honor his legacy. The announcer mixed up some horses. After the horses crossed the finish, he forgot to kill his mic and said (paraphrasing)…they can shove these saddle pads up their…mic killed fortunately. Personally, I believe the poor lighting and all the trees and equipment in the fairgrounds infield were more of a factor.Tried finding the clip on YouTube, but it is hiding from me. Doug Ballinger was the announcer, who I enjoy. Kind of a Roger Huston disciple but a little more subdued. Real nice man to have a conversation.
Quote from NiekH on March 16, 2026, 2:31 PMFor the saddle pads, they colour them by race so every horse in race 4 are yellow for example. And they are plastic boards that sit on the outside of the bike. It means the horse gets less of a sweaty back. Much easier to attach as well in my experience haha! Just 2 clips onto the harness and it’s attached.
The North American tracks have gone away from the same color for a race for the most part. I believe that the track announcers drove that change to help them identify the horses. Can anybody confirm or correct this idea?
One of the Ohio fair announcers had a total hot mic meltdown after the Gene Riegle Memorial at the Darke CO. Fair in 2024. All the pads were in Riegle’s famed Green/Red colors to honor his legacy. The announcer mixed up some horses. After the horses crossed the finish, he forgot to kill his mic and said (paraphrasing)…they can shove these saddle pads up their…mic killed fortunately. Personally, I believe the poor lighting and all the trees and equipment in the fairgrounds infield were more of a factor.
Tried finding the clip on YouTube, but it is hiding from me. Doug Ballinger was the announcer, who I enjoy. Kind of a Roger Huston disciple but a little more subdued. Real nice man to have a conversation.
Quote from NiekH on March 17, 2026, 9:43 AMFor me watching its easier to see which number is who in a race with the American system. Most announcers here use binoculars as well so its probably just what you know. But when I am just watching races I tend to focus on driver colors anyways. Especially in France where every horse is driven in owner colors its for the easiest way to see who is who.
For me watching its easier to see which number is who in a race with the American system. Most announcers here use binoculars as well so its probably just what you know. But when I am just watching races I tend to focus on driver colors anyways. Especially in France where every horse is driven in owner colors its for the easiest way to see who is who.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on March 25, 2026, 7:12 AMSome good news out of New Jersey
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1398689435626772&set=a.341681957994197&type=3
Some good news out of New Jersey
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1398689435626772&set=a.341681957994197&type=3