all in Aftercare

In this final diary entry for OTTB Salesman, Audra Mandella, Salesman’s owner, reflects on the enjoyment and sense of fulfillment she, her husband Gary, father-in-law Richard (a Hall of Fame trainer) and everyone else associated with the horse have felt as he moves further into his second career with remarkable success under the supervision of Kristina Hobbs.

I know for those of you that have been following along as we prepare for this year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, it may not seem like it, but I am normally a planner. Don’t get me wrong, I love a spontaneous adventure or horse show as much as anyone, but when it comes to the horses and the business, I always have a plan. But that’s the thing with horses, sometimes they have other plans ... and sometimes those plans mean changing all of yours.  

We left off last time having a bit of a rough day, but with a plan to put that in the rearview mirror and move forward. Thankfully that is exactly what has happened. Since having that little mishap at Meadowlake I elected to move Maverick to my trainer’s farm, and while it means a lot more driving for me he has absolutely flourished there.

The countdown to the Thoroughbred Makeover is officially on, and with it comes all the excitement, nerves, and hard work that go into preparing not just one, but two special horses for the big stage. Gray Magician and Imposing Ruler are the stars of my journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the direction each of them is taking.

After Tracy Yates’ middle-aged Quarter-Horse was diagnosed with a hoof disease, her veterinarian suggested she explore the Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART) program in search of a sound riding horse. That advice led her to Including All — now affectionately known as “Clue.”

Yates was matched with Clue through the guidance of Robin Sprafka, program director for Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds. Clue had three screws in one of his knees and could not jump or perform strenuous riding activities.

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