Ep.8 --Assessments and First Rides, The Benchmark Way

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In this week's episode, we sit down again with Jessica Redman of Benchmark Sporthorses to pick her brain about how evaluates and assesses horses upon arrival and her process for a successful first ride. She gives us a firsthand behind-the-scenes look at her operation and shares some industry tips and tricks for setting your OTTB up for success.

Jessica Redman

OTTB Training & Sales

Benchmark Sport Horses is a training and sales barn located in Camden, Delaware. We specialize in acquiring thoroughbreds from racetracks all over the United States to be retrained and sold into new careers. Founded in 2007, it is the go-to place to find your next thoroughbred. Each thoroughbred is hand picked by Jessica based on conformation, athletic ability, temperament and soundness. We have a specialized program to address any issues found with feet, teeth, diet and body soreness. Each horse is allowed to rest and then is carefully restarted on the flat, over fences, on trails, out cross country and more.

The farm is comprised of 25 stalls with small pens to transition horses from track to turnout. Lovely grass pastures that are rotated weekly. Each paddock has slow feed hay boxes to keep the horses eating throughout the day. 100x200 sand ring with lights and a 40x80 sand lunging/free jump area. Trails directly off the farm. Wash stall and tack room. We have many mesh round pends and small paddocks set up for transiting horses into turnout.