In keeping with the organization’s goal to better serve the Thoroughbred and continue to educate the owners, trainers, and farms who seek to help transition these horses to second careers, the Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP) new arrival exam at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, emphasizes soundness, body condition, and microchipping.

“The aim of the arrival exam is to not only verify each horse’s identity and ensure he or she is healthy and sound for competition but to also set the standard of horsemanship associated with off-track Thoroughbreds,” said RRP Executive Director Jen Roytz. “In addition to the actual exam, which is reminiscent of what competitors might experience at higher levels of competition with horse inspections, we also hosted webinars with Q&A’s and published educational materials focused on topics such as nutrition, hoof care, the Henneke Body Condition scoring system, vaccination protocols, and injury rehabilitation and prevention.”

Components of the arrival exam

Every horse that competes at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover will undergo an arrival exam performed by veterinarians from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Arrival exams will include an assessment of body condition score and vital signs, examination for lameness at the walk, and a scan for a microchip.

Microchipping is rapidly becoming the equine industry standard as a means of permanent identification, and every horse participating in the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover is required to have a microchip registered with The Jockey Club