Conditioning of the racehorse

Question
What is the best conditioning program for thoroughbred race horses and quarter horses.

Also, my TB cast in his stall and has swollen back ankle.  how long should I wait after swelling goes down to start back on him.  Remington is open to TB's now and was wanting to race him.

Answer
Vicki
There are many different ways to condition a Thoroughbred racehorse, and many of them are equally successful.  My favorite method involves galloping 2 miles or so per day, at good speed, rather than the hobby horse gallop of a mile or so, which many trainers prefer.  Works should be scheduled every 5 to seven days or so, stretching out the time in between works once the horse is up to working longer distances of 1/2 mile and over.  Works should be slower at the beginning, asking the horse for more speed at the end, and letting him gallop out strongly, as far as he is able.  This encourages a horse to finish well, rather than running all out during the entire race.  I also like to work a horse farther than he will run, so that he is fit to go the distance.  I've never been a big fan of only working 5/8th's in order to prep for a 1 1/16 mile race.

As far as your horse's leg goes, it is hard to tell you anything constructive, since I haven't seen the injury.  It is always best to have a vet out when in doubt about an injury, especially when the horse is lame.
But if the leg is only mildly swollen, and the horse isn't lame, and there are no lacerations or other obvious signs of injury, then you might consider giving him some mild exersize like walking, or an easy jog.  Often this will bring the swelling down right away, due to the increased circulation caused by the exersize.

I hope that this helps,

Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com