OTTB Glossary

To help guide our listeners with terms that are commonly used in the OTTB industry, we've created this handy glossary of terms, phrases that are often unique to the Thoroughbred racetrack, common OTTB injuries (and which ones are scary, which ones maybe not-so-scary), and also a list of helpful products that we personally use while both transitioning Thoroughbreds from the racetrack through the letdown & restarting process, and beyond.

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Thoroughbred Racetrack Terminology

Common OTTB Injuries and Treatment

Helpful Products for OTTB Owners

Have a handy tip, term, or product we missed? Leave us a comment!

OTTB (Off-The-Track Thoroughbred): A Thoroughbred horse that has retired from racing and is transitioning to a new career.

Thoroughbred Racetrack Terminology

Allowance Conditions: Specific conditions and eligibility criteria for horses to compete in allowance races, based on factors such as age, sex, and previous performance.
Allowance Race: A race where horses meet specific conditions based on age, sex, or previous performances.
Beyer Speed Figure: A numerical assessment of a horse’s performance in a race, developed by Andrew Beyer, which takes into account factors such as time of the race and track condition.
Breeze: A timed workout where the horse runs at near racing speed. Often used to gauge a horse's fitness level.
Breeder: The person or organization responsible for mating Thoroughbreds to produce offspring.
Breeder’s Cup: An annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, considered one of the most prestigious events in racing.
Breeding Shed: A facility where Thoroughbred stallions and mares are bred.
Breezing: A light workout or practice for a Thoroughbred, usually at a fast pace, done to assess fitness and speed.
Charts: Detailed reports of race results, including positions at various points in the race, margins between horses, and final times.
Claiming Price: The price at which a horse is entered into a claiming race, indicating the minimum amount for which the horse can be purchased by another owner.
Claiming Race: A race where horses are available for sale before the race begins, and any licensed owner can purchase a horse.
Classic: A term used for important races that have been established over a long period and have significant historical significance.
Condition Book: A schedule of races and conditions offered by a racetrack during a specific period, typically several weeks or months.
Derby: A classic race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Entries: The list of horses nominated and accepted to run in a particular race.
Equibase: A company that provides official racing information, statistics, and data for Thoroughbred racing in North America.
Finish Line: The line at the end of the race where Thoroughbreds aim to cross first.
Furlong: A unit of distance in horse racing, equal to 1/8th of a mile (about 201 meters or 220 yards).
Gate: The starting mechanism for Thoroughbred races, where horses are placed before the race begins.
Gate Training: Teaching a horse to enter, stand, and break from the starting gate smoothly, essential for racing.
Handicap: A race where horses carry different weights assigned by the handicapper to level the playing field.
Handicap Race: A race where horses carry different weights based on their past performance to level the playing field.
Jockey: The rider of a Thoroughbred during a race.
Late Scratch: A horse withdrawn from a race after betting has already begun.
Lasix: A medication (furosemide) used to prevent bleeding in the lungs during races, common in North American racing.
Layoff: A period during which a horse is not raced, usually due to rest, recovery, or training needs.
Morning Line Odds: The anticipated odds for each horse in a race, set by a track’s handicapper or morning line oddsmaker.
OTTB (Off-The-Track Thoroughbred): A Thoroughbred horse that has retired from racing and is transitioning to a new career.
Objection: A formal complaint filed by a jockey, trainer, or owner claiming that another horse or rider interfered with their horse during a race.
Paddock: The area where horses are saddled and paraded before a race.
Pedigree: A horse’s ancestry, typically traced through its sire (father) and dam (mother).
Photo Finish: A close race finish that requires a photograph to determine the winner accurately.
Post Position: The starting position assigned to each horse in a race.
Post Time: The scheduled start time for each race.
Program: A publication that provides detailed information about the horses, jockeys, trainers, and races scheduled for a specific day.
Racehorse: A Thoroughbred specifically trained and bred for competitive racing.
Retraining: The process of teaching an OTTB new skills or disciplines after their racing career.
Rehoming: Finding a new home or owner for an OTTB after their racing career ends.
Results: The official finishing order, times, margins, and other details of each race after it has been run.
Scratches: Horses that are entered to run in a race but were withdrawn before the race took place.
Second Career: Refers to the new role or discipline an OTTB pursues after racing.
Silks: The colorful and unique racing colors worn by jockeys to identify owners during races.
Sire Line: The male line of a horse’s pedigree.
Sire: The father of a horse.
Stakes Conditions: Requirements and eligibility criteria for horses to compete in stakes races, which are prestigious races with higher purse values.
Stakes Race: A race with higher prestige and typically higher prize money, featuring top Thoroughbreds.
Stallion: A male horse used for breeding.
Thoroughbred: A breed of horses known for its agility, speed, and spirit, bred specifically for horse racing.
Track Bias: A tendency for a racing surface to favor certain positions or running styles due to conditions such as weather or maintenance.
Track Condition: The state of the racing surface, such as fast, muddy, or yielding.
Track Record: The fastest time recorded for a specific distance at a particular track.
Track Surface: The material the racetrack is made of, usually dirt, turf (grass), or synthetic surfaces like Polytrack.
Trainer: The individual responsible for conditioning, training, and preparing Thoroughbreds for racing.
Transitioning: The period of adjustment for an OTTB from racing to a new career or life off the track.
Triple Crown: The three most prestigious horse races in the U.S. (The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes).
Weights: The additional weight carried by horses in a race to equalize competition based on age and previous performance.

Common OTTB Injuries and Treatment*

Bowed Tendon

Description: Damage or strain to the superficial digital flexor tendon, causing swelling and a characteristic "bowed" appearance.
Treatment: Treatment typically involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications, cold therapy, and controlled exercise. In some cases, stem cell therapy or shockwave therapy may be used to promote healing.
Prognosis: Recovery can take 6 to 12 months, and while many horses can return to work, they may be prone to reinjury, particularly in high-stress activities.

Bone Chip

Description: A small fragment of bone that breaks off, usually within the joints (e.g., knee or ankle).
Treatment: Surgical removal is often recommended to prevent joint damage. Post-surgery, the horse will require rest and a gradual return to activity.
Prognosis: Horses often return to full function after surgery, though the prognosis depends on the chip's location and the extent of any associated joint damage.

Bucked Shins

Description: Inflammation of the periosteum (the bone's outer covering) on the front of the cannon bones, common in young racehorses.
Treatment: Rest and reduced exercise are crucial. Anti-inflammatory medications, cold therapy, and occasionally shockwave therapy can help. In some cases, a procedure called pin-firing (therapeutic cautery) may be used.
Prognosis: With proper rest and treatment, most horses recover fully and can continue their athletic careers, though they may require careful management to prevent recurrence.

Carpal Injury

Description: Injury to the carpal joint (knee) in the front leg, often resulting from stress or trauma. It can involve ligament strains, fractures, or joint capsule damage.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes joint injections are used. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.
Prognosis: The prognosis varies depending on the injury's severity. Mild strains have a good prognosis, while more severe injuries may lead to chronic issues or reduced athletic performance.

Cervical Vertebrae Injury

Description: Injury to the vertebrae in the neck, which can affect spinal mobility and cause neurological symptoms.
Treatment: Rest and anti-inflammatory medications are standard. Chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, or surgical intervention may be needed in severe cases.
Prognosis: The prognosis depends on the injury's severity. Mild cases may recover well with appropriate care, but severe injuries can lead to long-term complications, including neurological deficits.

Colic

Description: Abdominal pain, often caused by issues in the digestive tract such as gas, impaction, or torsion (twisting of the intestines).
Treatment: Treatment ranges from administration of pain relief and fluids to, in severe cases, surgical intervention to correct the underlying issue.
Prognosis: Prognosis varies widely. Mild colic often resolves with medical treatment, but severe cases, especially those requiring surgery, can be life-threatening.

Condylar Fracture

Description: A fracture of the condyles (rounded projections) at the end of the cannon bone, often seen in racehorses due to high-speed exercise.
Treatment: Surgical repair with screws is usually required. Post-surgery, rest and a gradual return to exercise are essential.
Prognosis: With successful surgery and rehabilitation, many horses return to racing or other athletic careers. However, the risk of future soundness issues remains.

Concussion Injury

Description: Injury caused by impact, often affecting bones or soft tissues, such as from falls or collisions.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive care are standard treatments. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Prognosis: The prognosis depends on the injury's severity. Minor concussions may heal completely, while severe injuries can lead to long-term complications or require retirement from high-impact activities.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Description: Progressive deterioration of joint cartilage and surrounding structures, leading to arthritis and joint pain.
Treatment: Management includes joint supplements, anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly joint injections (such as hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids). In advanced cases, more invasive treatments like arthroscopy or regenerative therapies may be considered.
Prognosis: DJD is a chronic condition, so while management can improve comfort and function, the disease is progressive, and the horse may eventually need to be retired from strenuous activities.

Fetlock Injury

Description: Injury to the fetlock joint (between the cannon bone and pastern) that can involve ligaments, tendons, or joint capsule.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, cold therapy, and sometimes joint injections. Severe cases may require surgery.
Prognosis: Mild injuries often heal with appropriate care, but severe injuries can lead to chronic issues and may limit future performance.

Fracture

Description: A break or crack in a bone, which can occur in various parts of the horse’s skeleton.
Treatment: Depending on the fracture's location and severity, treatment may include rest, immobilization (casting or splinting), or surgical intervention with pins, screws, or plates.
Prognosis: Prognosis varies widely. Some fractures heal completely with proper treatment, allowing the horse to return to work, while others may lead to long-term soundness issues or require retirement.

Gastric Ulcers

Description: Ulcers in the stomach lining, often caused by stress, diet, or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Treatment: Treatment typically involves proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, dietary changes, and stress management.
Prognosis: With appropriate treatment, gastric ulcers usually heal, and the horse can return to normal activities. Preventative measures are often needed to avoid recurrence.

Hindgut Acidosis

Description: A disturbance in the balance of the hindgut microflora, often due to high-grain diets, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort and potentially colic.
Treatment: Dietary changes to reduce starch intake, along with probiotics and buffers to stabilize gut pH.
Prognosis: If addressed early, the prognosis is good, but chronic cases can lead to long-term digestive issues.

Hoof Abscess

Description: An infection within the hoof, causing severe pain and lameness.
Treatment: Draining the abscess, often followed by soaking the hoof in a solution like Epsom salts. Antibiotics and pain relief may also be used.
Prognosis: Once the abscess is drained and treated, horses typically recover quickly and return to work without complications.

Hock Injury

Description: Injury to the hock joint, which may involve ligaments, tendons, or joint capsule, and is susceptible to strain and arthritis.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, and possibly corrective shoeing or surgical intervention.
Prognosis: The prognosis depends on the injury's severity. Mild injuries often heal well, but severe injuries or chronic arthritis can limit performance and may require ongoing management.

Kissing Spines

Description: A condition where the dorsal spinous processes in a horse's back are too close together or touching, potentially causing pain and discomfort.
Treatment: Options include rest, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgical intervention (interspinous ligament desmotomy or bone shaving).
Prognosis: Mild cases can often be managed successfully, but severe cases may require surgery. Horses may return to work after recovery, though long-term management is often necessary.

Laminitis

Description: Inflammation of the laminae, which connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone, leading to severe pain and potentially life-threatening complications.
Treatment: Immediate care includes rest, pain relief, anti-inflammatory drugs, and corrective shoeing. In severe cases, special hoof supports or surgery may be needed.
Prognosis: Laminitis is a serious condition with variable outcomes. Early and aggressive treatment improves the prognosis, but chronic cases can result in permanent lameness or require euthanasia.

Lameness

Description: A general term for pain or abnormality in movement, often assessed through a lameness exam to identify the specific cause.
Treatment: Treatment depends on the underlying cause, ranging from rest and anti-inflammatory medications to surgery or corrective shoeing.
Prognosis: The prognosis depends on the cause of lameness. Many causes can be successfully treated, allowing the horse to return to work, but some conditions may lead to chronic lameness or require retirement.

Navicular Syndrome

Description: A group of conditions affecting the navicular bone and associated structures in the foot, leading to chronic lameness.
Treatment: Treatment includes corrective shoeing, anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases, surgery. Regular monitoring and management are essential.
Prognosis: Navicular syndrome is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured. The prognosis varies, with some horses able to continue in light work, while others may require retirement.

Osselets (Ankles)

Description: Osselets, commonly referred to as "ankles," are a form of arthritis that affects the fetlock joint. This condition is characterized by inflammation and bony growths around the joint, often due to repetitive concussion and strain, particularly in young racehorses.
Treatment: Treatment typically includes rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes the application of cold therapy to reduce swelling. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to manage inflammation. If the condition is caught early, reducing the horse’s workload can help prevent further damage.
Prognosis: The prognosis depends on the severity and timing of treatment. Horses with mild osselets can often return to work, but those with more advanced or chronic cases may experience limited mobility and reduced performance. Early intervention improves the chances of a better outcome.

Overreach Injury

Description: Injury caused when a horse’s hind hoof strikes the front leg, leading to cuts, bruises, and possible tendon damage.
Treatment: Treatment involves wound care, rest, and protective boots to prevent further injury. Severe cases may require sutures or bandaging.
Prognosis: Most overreach injuries heal with proper care, allowing the horse to return to work. However, tendon injuries may take longer to heal and require careful management.

Proximal Suspensory Desmitis

Description: Injury to the suspensory ligament near its attachment to the cannon bone, often caused by strain or overuse.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, shockwave therapy, and sometimes regenerative therapies like stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Prognosis: With appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, many horses recover and return to work. However, the condition can recur, especially in high-stress activities.

Sacral Iliac Joint Injury

Description: Injury to the sacroiliac joint, which connects the sacrum (base of the spine) to the pelvis, leading to pain and stiffness.
Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, chiropractic adjustments, and physical therapy. Severe cases may benefit from injections or shockwave therapy.
Prognosis: The prognosis varies depending on the severity. Mild cases may respond well to treatment, while more severe injuries can lead to chronic pain and limit the horse's performance.

*Please always consult a licensed veterinarian and have a pre-purchase exam performed in order to properly diagnose, treat, and develop a prognosis for any injury. This guide is for reference only, not a substitute for veterinary guidance*

Helpful Products for OTTB Owners

Body Condition Scoring Chart: A tool to help assess the horse’s weight and muscle condition, important for managing an OTTB's transition to a new diet and workload.
Electrolytes: Supplement to help replenish minerals lost during sweating, especially during hot weather or intense training.
Hoof Conditioner: Keeps hooves healthy and prevents cracking, especially important for OTTBs who may have been shod differently at the track.
Ice Boots/Cold Therapy Wraps: Essential for managing inflammation after workouts or injuries.
Joint Supplements: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are common ingredients used to support joint health, particularly in horses with a history of racing.
Liniments: Used for cooling and soothing sore muscles and tendons after exercise.
Slow Feed Hay Nets: Helps extend eating time and prevent boredom, which can lead to ulcers or vices.
Ulcer Supplements: Many OTTBs have a history of gastric ulcers due to the stress of racing; supplements help maintain gastric health.