05/05/2026
Official restart on this handsome guy has commenced! For those that don’t know, Zander is a 4 year old OTTB that retired due to a tendon injury early in 2025. I adopted him from New Vocations and he arrived last December in 8 degrees at 3:00am (he was in sunny, warm FL). He adapted to our cold WI winter much better than I expected (I was so worried!).
Although he has been sound since August, my vet and I felt most comfortable giving him more time to heal and acclimate. He has enjoyed his downtime playing (umm, pestering) his friends. He has been very clear that he wants and needs something to stimulate his mind…think Border Collie stuck in an apartment, lol. So we have officially begun groundwork.
He learned to lunge with ease and today was the first time he had a saddle on (well, other than his racing saddle). To be honest, I wasn’t sure what he’d think of it, but he didn’t give it a second thought. Good boy!
In the next coming weeks, we work on proprioception, reaching over his top line and engaging his core. At this point I don’t have a date of when I will get on him, I’m in no rush and am working on his time line. He lets me know and I listen…it’s been this way since he arrived. Besides I’m in my mid-50’s and ache on the daily! 😅.
Video snippet in comments. Doesn’t he look so proud of himself
in the picture he’s facing me?! Love this guy so much!