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Writer's pictureAurora Chaffee

Why is my OTTB so reactive: Answers and solutions for a calmer equine partner

Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) have long been admired for their athleticism, speed, and competitive drive. Many racehorses are highly trained athletes, but this training and their racing backgrounds can contribute to behaviors that may seem explosive or unpredictable when they transition to other disciplines after the track. Understanding why OTTBs can be explosive requires a deeper look at several contributing factors: reactive training, high sugar diets, and performance-based handling.


1. Trained Reactive Times: The Racehorse Mindset

One of the primary reasons OTTBs can be explosive is the nature of their training on the racetrack. Racehorses are conditioned to respond quickly, often to stimuli that are brief but intense. Their training focuses on speed, endurance, and reaction time to rapidly changing cues, which fosters a heightened state of alertness and sensitivity.


On the racetrack, even the slightest sound or change in the environment can provoke a fast response, as the horse must be ready to sprint at full speed at a moment's notice. These horses learn to react instinctively to their surroundings rather than thinking through a situation calmly. When these horses transition to new careers, their ingrained "reactivity" is often carried over. An OTTB may jump or bolt in response to a perceived threat or an unfamiliar situation without fully processing the cause, leading to explosive, sometimes dangerous, reactions.


In other words, high reactivity is a trained and well-traveled response among successful racehorses.

2. Eating like a Racehorse: The Role of Nutrition in Behavior

Another key factor contributing to the explosive behavior of OTTBs is their diet during their racing career. Racehorses typically receive a high-carbohydrate diet to fuel their intense physical activity. However, many of these carbs come in the form of starches and sugars that are quickly absorbed and metabolized. This high-sugar diet can create spikes in blood sugar, which, in turn, may affect a horse's mood and energy levels.


Sugar—especially in excess—has been linked to increased excitability and restlessness in horses. For OTTBs, a diet rich in high-glycemic foods might leave them hyper-alert and more prone to sudden bursts of energy. When these horses are moved off the track and maintain a grain-heavy diet, their bodies will continue to transfer sugar to energy.



3. Racehorse Handling: Control versus Communication


Keeping their training and diet in mind, handlers at the track are well accustomed to handling excitable horses. It's my personal opinion that trainers and handlers strive to work with horses in communication but when a fit racehorse is feeling his oats it is not surprising that safety through control is a non-negociable.


On the racetrack, the handlers have a job to perform; the focus is on fitness and speed, not on socialization, problem-solving, or addressing everyday horsemanship concerns like loading into a trailer, walking over obstacles, or standing still in the cross-ties.

Because racehorses are trained to focus on their task—running—they often do not receive the same exposure to positive reinforcement-based behavior training that might help them handle stress, frustration, or fear in non-racing situations.


As a result, they may struggle with basic behavioral cues in new environments, particularly under saddle. Their explosive reactions, whether it’s bolting, spooking, or kicking out, can stem from a lack of exposure to these common triggers.


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Now that we have a better picture, and hopefully empathy, for why racehorses have the stereotype of explosive and reactive, let's look at what we can do to support them in this transition to a more appropriate response to cues and stimuli.


How to Address Explosive Behaviors in OTTBs


The good news is that with the right approach, OTTBs can develop new, more sustainable responses and behaviors.


[I will caveat that pain and discomfort can be sources of negative behaviors reactivity and explosiveness for OTTBs. In this article I will not dive down that rabbit hole. Work with a licensed veterinarian will help rule that out as a possible source]


Here's what can help:


  1. "Let Down" Time: Professional Athlete Unwind Time


Arguably life at the racetrack is the most intense lifestyle and training program a thoroughbred will experience in it's lifetime. Just like any professional athlete, time for the mind and body to rebalance and relax is vital.


Letting a racehorse learn how to "horse" again as nature intended is the best solution for rebalancing the nervous system and allowing the horse to readjust to a slower, calmer pace of live.

I always recommend "Friends, Forage, Freedom" in a gradual transition for OTTBs. I see significant changes in attitude, handleability and reactivity when horses are given the time and environment for a proper to let down.


  1. Balanced Diet: Switching energy sources


Switching an OTTB to a more balanced, low-sugar diet can help reduce the intense spikes in energy that might contribute to explosive reactions. 24/7 access to hay (high-quality forage) and gradually decreasing grain loads can help stabilize their blood sugar levels, leading to more predictable behavior.


Switching the horse from a non-saturated carbohydrate (NSC) high diet to a slower-burning energy sources such as fat (ie senior) can also help reduce energy spikes can reduce reactivity while not decreasing calorie intake.


  1. Rebalancing the Nervous System: Reactions versus Responses


When reactivity is a well travelled neuro pathway for horses, it is easy for them to default to that pattern. To counter balance this we can rebalance the nervous system to default to a more thoughtful, responsive approach to uncertainty and anxiety.


While the let down period will support this, we can also include this in our handling and retraining of our OTTBs. Once we have created a new pattern of relaxation and tension release, we can start to expose them to new situations and broaden their experiences.


Exposing them gradually to new experiences, like standing in cross-ties, loading into trailers, and walking over poles or small jumps, helps them build confidence and learn how to handle stress without resorting to flight responses. Regular work in controlled, low-stress environments can help improve their behavior and build their trust in their handlers.


Conclusion


OTTBs are often viewed as high-energy, high-drive athletes, but that same energy can translate into explosive behavior if not properly managed. Their racing background, high-sugar diets, and lack of behavioral training contribute to their heightened reactivity. However, with the right approach, OTTBs can be rehabilitated into wonderful, well-mannered riding companions. Patience, consistency, and an understanding of their unique needs will go a long way in helping these talented horses find success in their new careers.


If you are struggling with improving your horses reactivity and explosive behaviors after the track and it's affecting your ability to pursue your equine goals, I highly recommend the Restart Program. With multiple masterclasses and over 20 modules with how-to videos and modules, you will have the tools and knowledge resolve the reactivity behaviors and see your OTTB THRIVE in their new lifestyle and career.


NOTE: The online Restart Program will open beginning of 2025. Subscribe to the website to be the first to register and receive early registration discounts!


Happy Partnerships!



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