04/16/2026
The sobering reality that is having the truth about your horse uncovered, after death.
My OTTB gelding, George, was an incredibly resilient horse.
He recovered from 2 slab fractures and a bone chip following his racing career, requiring surgery.
I followed the rehab protocol and chased the dream of taking him to the Thoroughbred Makeover, which seemed like the ultimate way to highlight my name as a trainer and lover of OTTBs.
He was young, just 4 years old, but industry norms helped me to feel I wasn’t pushing him too hard, though, in hindsight, I would never replicate what I asked of him.
We ended up making it to the Makeover, but not without struggle.
He would perpetually have issues picking up and holding his right canter lead.
I attributed this to his time at the racetrack and being unbalanced and many people validated this for me.
During our dressage test at the Thoroughbred Makeover, he picked up the wrong lead.
It was disappointing, frustrating. It had been prior in training too and such frustration led to me “drilling” him in training, working on what I viewed as a training issue and weakness.
But then, he died.
And in necropsy, the truth came out.
George was euthanized about 6 months after he had attended the Makeover, following a sudden onset of neurological issues.
We tried treating for EPM but about 12 days into the treatment, he suddenly worsened.
Emergency vet call in the middle of the night.
He was laying down in the mud and couldn’t get up.
My sweet youngster, Banksy, had stood like a sentry beside his fallen friend.
George was in the mud for long enough that he had pooped where he was.
Worse feeling ever.
I hope his buddy at least brought him some peace.
So, a month before his 5th birthday, my beautiful and sweet young gelding was put to rest.
In his necropsy, findings included degradation of his spinal tissues, brain swelling and other findings that explained the neurological issues and confirmed his body was damaged beyond repair. Euthanasia was the only option.
But, what it also uncovered was that he had OCD lesions in both stifles.
He didn’t pick up the leads intermittently because it hurt.
And still, he packed me around without resistance. He jumped. He travelled across the country to Kentucky.
He did what he was asked without protest and maintained the sweetest attitude you could imagine.
And I had been frustrated with him for it.
I had viewed it as a training issue.
George is one horse in an industry horses with the same issues and worse.
Don’t wait until a necropsy to have more grace for your horse.
Behavioural issues and bodily struggles need to be approached with the benefit of the doubt.
Not frustration or contempt.
Because while slowing down and delaying gratification may hurt your ego, it won’t break your hurt in the way that misinterpreting the communication of a beloved friend will.
Behaviour is communication, listen to it.
Most of the struggles our horses have are actually telling us a deeper story.
It’s time to listen to them.
