Boarding and Raising Your Thoroughbred Racehorse with Mill Ridge Farm

Raising a thoroughbred racehorse can be financially rewarding, but the process can also be costly and complicated if done incorrectly. Horse boarding is a solution to this dilemma. It allows you—the owner—to be as involved in the process as you like, while putting your investment into the hands of professionals with decades of experience raising successful racehorses.  

But before you dive headlong into the world of raising thoroughbred racehorses, it’s important to know what—and who—will be involved. 

When buying a thoroughbred racehorse, most serious buyers enlist the services of a bloodstock agent, who acts as a talent scout for the racehorse. Veterinarians are also hired to give a prospective horse a thorough evaluation, examining everything from x-rays to blood samples.

Beyond the initial search and evaluation of your thoroughbred, it is also important to understand the commitment of both time and finances you are making in raising your racehorse.  

A Thoroughbred foal at Mill Ridge Farm.

The Lifecycle of a Thoroughbred Racehorse

Thoroughbred racehorses come from a distinct (and traceable) lineage of bred horses. These horses require specific care to bring out their full potential, and this care begins even before their birth. Breeding from specific mares and stallions brings about the best possibility of future race-winning potential. Upon their birth, these thoroughbred racehorses follow a timeline.   

Suckling Foal

Racehorses up to one year in age are called foals. Foals are generally able to stand and nurse from their mother within two hours of birth. Foals nurse often (3-5 times per hour), and gain essential nutrients from their mother’s milk. Foals live with their mothers (and generally subsist on their mother’s milk) until six months of age, when they become weanlings. Many auctions are held for horses just beyond this stage as foals need all of the possible nutrients they can from their mother before weaning. 

Weanling Foal 

Within the first few weeks of life, a foal will begin to nibble grass as a supplement to its mother’s milk. By the third month, the mare’s milk production will naturally begin to decline, and the foal will depend more on solid foods (grass). Between four to six months, the foal will be separated from its mother to complete the process of weaning. This is an essential element of the foal’s development of independence. During this time of weaning, the foal learns important socialization skills with both other horses and humans. Proper nutrition and exercise are vital at this pivotal stage of racehorse development. At six months old, the thoroughbred foal will be successfully weaned from its mother and will be considered a weanling. This is a time of development for the weanling when the horse learns to be a horse. Boarding at this stage allows for the social development the young racehorse needs because likely it has been running in a field with other mares and foals.

Yearling

After one year and before their second birthday, racehorses are called yearlings. Yearlings are completely independent of their mothers. They play among other horses, galloping, play-fighting, bucking, and running. What they learn at this age will greatly impact their future as a racehorse. They are essentially the equivalent of a human teenager. This is the stage at which some racehorses can be sold at auction. At this age, they continue to learn to be obedient as their interactions with humans increase. Horse boarding involves a team of specialized staff—trainers, veterinarians, groomers, and farriers become important parts of the yearling’s life. 

Farm Manager

Farm managers develop individual plans for each yearling based on their strengths and possible deficiencies. They help establish a solid foundation for the young racehorse. This is the first step for the yearling before being sent off for early training and eventually the trainer.

Veterinarians

Veterinarians are essential members of a horse owner’s team. The vet checks the horse’s development and provides care to help the horse continue on a proper course of nutrition and health. 

Grooms

Grooms are responsible for preparing feed, bathing, brushing, and bandaging the horse’s legs. With their consistent contact, racehorse grooms are often the first line of defense in discovering irritation or injuries to the horse. Grooming benefits your horse’s health both mentally and physically.  

Farriers

Proper footwear is crucial to the development of the young racehorse. Improper shoeing can hinder a racehorse’s leg development and can even hurt the horse’s bone growth. Having a good farrier on hand to provide regular maintenance to a racehorse's hooves is a necessity for any owner. Shoeing and hoof-trimming need to occur about every four weeks.

Proper care from a staff of trainers, veterinarians, groomers, and farriers is essential to the well-being of the horse—and the well-being of the horse should always be the first priority of any reputable boarding farm. 

The land that your horse spends its days on supplies the foundation for your horse’s health. Horses are herd animals, and they need the growth and comfort that living and socializing among other horses provides. Make sure that the boarding farm you select provides ample turnout time—the time when the horse is allowed to freely play and roam—and plenty of available grass. Hills and open spaces promote bone development. The time that your yearling spends in these open spaces socializing and playing is essential to its growth. 

Colt and Filly 

At two years (but less than four) a male racehorse is called a colt and a female is called a filly. At this stage of life, the horse is introduced to the bridle and saddle and to having a human on its back. They grow their comfort and confidence with the rider and are eventually introduced to the racetrack daily. At around two years old, thoroughbreds may also begin racing. As with any successful business/operation associating with the most qualified team gives you the most opportunity for success.

While the racehorse’s career officially begins once it becomes a colt/filly, developing a champion begins at birth. Generally, the horse will mature with age and race on average up to 5 years old depending on how healthy.

What’s Next for a Thoroughbred Racehorse?

Stallion and Mare

When their racing careers end, many thoroughbred fillies/mares retire to life on the farm and become mothers/broodmares. If the male horse is a very successful racehorse, he might qualify to become a stallion prospect. Stallion prospects are more selective than broodmares since they can produce many foals a year and affect the breed while a broodmare produces only one foal a year. On average the broodmare and stallion might live until 20-25 years of age.

A trainer and racehorse at Mill Ridge Farm.

Raising and Training Thoroughbred Racehorses

There are different ways to get into the thoroughbred business. Generally speaking, you can divide it into two categories–breeding and racing–with a lot in between.  

When speaking of breeding you generally think of the farm and the broodmare while with the racehorse, you think about racing at the racetrack. Each has different price points and considerations for you to contemplate based on your desires. As with most businesses associating with the most qualified and experienced advisors provides the best opportunity for success.

Mill Ridge Farm’s boarding service is the foundation of our farm. Our clients are recognized as family, and we are honored every day to take care of their horses.

Raising horses in the timeless philosophy of putting the horse first has been successful for our clients for decades. Our devoted farm staff is supported by the best veterinary care in the country, who have partnered with us since our founding.

We always welcome the opportunity to grow our family and invite you to the farm anytime to learn more about our boarding program.