# Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers

## TL;DR

This study compares the behavior of retired racehorses with other riding horses, finding that off-the-track Thoroughbreds are bolder but less compliant, which affects their suitability for equestrian use.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the behavioral traits of off-the-track Thoroughbreds using owner-reported data, highlighting breed-specific challenges for retraining.

## Key findings

- OTTTBs showed significantly more boldness compared to other horse breeds.
- OTTTBs had lower compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals.
- Trainability and rideability did not differ significantly between OTTTBs and other breeds.

## Abstract

Equestrians offer a pivotal avenue of rehoming for Thoroughbred horses that retire from the racing industry. However, behavioral attributes considered advantageous in racehorses may be inappropriate in equestrian mounts. Understanding the behavior of off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) is critical to the welfare and safety of horses and handlers. This study explored behavioral characteristics in OTTTBs compared with other ridden horses, using owner-observed information from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) database. Behaviors associated with boldness, compliance, rideability, trainability, and responsiveness to acceleration and deceleration signals were analyzed. OTTTBs demonstrated more boldness, with lower compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals, than other horse breeds in this study. These findings illustrate both the equestrian potential of OTTTBs and the behavioral challenges they can present. The study highlights the importance of further research into the relative influences of breed and life experiences on behavior in OTTTBs, to enable training and management practices to be evidence-based for enhanced equine welfare.

The off-the-track Thoroughbred’s (OTTTB’s) suitability for equestrian retraining and rehoming should always be subject to behavioral considerations. Certain attributes may be advantageous to a horse’s racing performance but unfavorable to their prospects off the track. It is important to gain a non-biased understanding of how Thoroughbreds (TBs) in equestrian disciplines compare with other horses behaviorally, to minimize risks of poor welfare and safety outcomes. The current study used owner-reported information (n = 1633) from the Equine Behavior Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) global database to compare the behaviors of OTTTBs with those of other ridden horses. Boldness, compliance, rideability, trainability, and responsiveness to acceleration and deceleration signals were evaluated in the context of 27 E-BARQ items, as determined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In this study, OTTTBs demonstrated more boldness (t = 3.793; p < 0.001) and lower compliance and responsiveness to deceleration signals (t = 3.448; p < 0.001) than non-OTTTBs. Trainability, rideability, and responsiveness to acceleration signals did not differ significantly between OTTTBs and non-OTTTBs. These findings provide direction for future research into causal factors and improvement opportunities regarding the training and management of Thoroughbreds, on- and off-the-track.