Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: Get a Second Opinion
“The lens we use to assess these horses is based on experience. And experience shapes what we see. The more a practitioner works with a breed or a sport, the more the specific issues become commonplace to diagnose, and commonplace to therefore treat.”
Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic on getting second (and maybe 15th) opinions.
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get a second opinion.” In recent weeks, I have found myself saying this a few times to folks for a range of reasons. And while mostly, it is in reference to health related things and vets, it applies widely across the board.
See, the problem with second opinions is that they often are problematic. Not just because they are a hassle or expensive, or a repeat of what has already been done. Sure, that too. But mostly they’re a challenge to perceived loyalty. And that makes them understandably hard to do.
When Rhodie (Western Ridge) remained persistently lame after rounds of injections, I know now, retrospectively, that it would probably have been a good time for a second opinion. One of my favorite photos of him by Alanah Giltmier.
Hell, my mom spent years sidelined by a mystery illness when I was in my late teens/twenties, only to finally (and I mean finally — she waited loyally for the first doctor to figure it out for a really long time) get a second opinion. For the second doc, it was clear — she had Lyme disease. The treatment worked and she was back on her feet in a few months. But she spent literally years waiting for something from the first doctor. So many inconclusive tests, so many months of “maybe this is just how things are now.”
Nope. And thank goodness.
Decades later, she’s still getting around damn well. Photo by Allen Graham from a recent horse trial at GMHA.
With Thoroughbreds (or any horses, of course) second opinions sometimes are critical. Maybe a rider has a barn that they love that uses a quality equine vet. Maybe that professional is accustomed to other breeds, other sports. Maybe this is the first young Thoroughbred on the farm. Maybe they have seen tons of Thoroughbreds, but always in their sport careers, not in their transitioning from track days. Maybe this case is just a tough one.
Vets absolutely are human and diagnosing equines is often (but not always) subjective. They’re doing the best they can and we one hundred percent need to kindly support them, and encourage more of them to enter the fray. But if you send out a set of rads to five vets, it is very likely that you will get five somewhat different opinions back.
When August (Starship Augusto) was for sale, we had access to a set of hock rads, which we shared with potentially serious buyers. Everyone of their vets sent back differing opinions. Ultimately a kind, reasonable buyer and set of specialized injections got him on the right track. Photo by Lily Drew.
When the answer is wild or inconclusive or straight up damning, sure, that might be the case. But maybe you need a second opinion. Equally, when the answer is common place but doesn’t actually fix the issue, and you have hit a dead end, maybe it’s time to bring more people into the conversation. That second vet might say the same as the first, but they also might have other ideas.
The lens we use to assess these horses is based on experience. And experience shapes what we see. The more a practitioner works with a breed or a sport, the more the specific issues become commonplace to diagnose, and, therefore, commonplace to treat. That certainly is the case as a trainer specifically of Thoroughbreds; and in my lifetime, it has applied to vets, farriers, and the like equally.
Back a few years ago, Uno (Hold Em Paul) took getting a second farrier opinion and some seriously fancy hand-made shoes (thanks, Eric) before we managed to get him sound and out and about. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.
I’m not saying all horses have breed-common or simply equine-common problems. Nope. Some certainly overachieve and find new, creative, and unexpected ways to break hearts and empty wallets. But most horses on most days under most circumstances encounter mostly common problems. Thoroughbreds equally encounter breed-common issues (from genetics as well as from a young life training and racing on the track) and also simply generic horse-common issues and injuries.
Common horse problems are well… common. And they have common solutions: treat the ulcers, add pads to the shoes, fix negative palmar or plantar angles, or support the joints with various forms of maintenance.
Artie (Reunion Tour) has a host of minor issues that we manage in common ways. Despite his maintenance needs, he still has the ability to nearly jump the damn standards. No shortage of try here. Screenshot by Lily Drew.
But importantly, when vets go looking and there are findings, there are going to be differences of opinion. This is where it is important to figure out whose responses you choose to follow and absolutely trust your gut. If it still doesn’t “feel right,” you know your horse and you’re probably onto something.
If someone tells you, “that’s just how Thoroughbreds are,” but you feel like something isn’t quite adding up, it might be time to chat with another expert (I’m mostly angling this towards the veterinary side here, but keep reading — that absolutely applies to trainers and other practitioners as well).
Neil (Lute’s Angel) had a bit of a rough week this week culminating and an impressive display of antics. Yes, I stayed on fine and we both were all safe and well. And yes, this was snapped on the way down from even higher-up hi-ho-silver ridiculousness. Time to step back a bit, look at the whole picture and start to tick through what is behavior, what is pain and then find what we can treat and what we can train. Screenshot by Lily Drew.
Maybe call a specialist. All vets are good at specific things. Some are repro experts, some are great at lameness, others are queens of the ultrasound. I know a few who specialize in eyes, while some are excellent at all things neuro. Hoof issues? Find a specialist farrier or vet who focuses on podiatry. And if you’re not sure where to start, maybe call the state university veterinary hospital and see what they recommend.
Overall, my point is that if you’re hitting road blocks or something still just doesn’t feel right, your team (and the conversation) might need to expand. And it is not about just adding more people to the conversation, but folks who specialize in the problems you’re encountering. Sometimes that is as uncomplicated as engaging vets who focus on Thoroughbreds.
We haven’t vetted Mr. Magico yet, but after a long career of running (56 starts) I’m certain there will be findings, despite his baseline soundness and willing and able-ness to do his new eventing job. Photo by Allen Graham.
A PPE a while back found a cyst in an ankle. Now, in a three-year-old with only two races under their belt, I might be (more) concerned. But, this was an eight-year-old war horse who ran 60-plus times. The examining vet told me they weren’t worried about it: “He’s a warhorse, he’s done his job for years, it shouldn’t be a problem. I mean, we absolutely would expect findings considering,” but then wrote a report that scared the bejesus out of the buyer. FFS. Great.
The buyer wondered if she was running into perspective issues. She sent me the report and rads and sent it to her vet at home as well. I’m not a vet, so only could weigh in on the length of the horse’s career and baseline soundness. Her vet was concerned but recommended she ask someone who knew more. So the buyer paid for an assessment by an experienced vet at a notably high-quality veterinary service that works closely with the tracks in Kentucky. They read the report, watched the horse’s video, reflected on the length and success of his career, and recommended putting him on Adequan and getting on with things.
No vet has a crystal ball. None can tell you what will happen tomorrow or in five years under new and different conditions. But listening to those who have the experience and expertise and trusting your gut goes a long way. And that horse with the ankle cyst? These days he’s happily learning to jump and making his human proud.
Emmett (Oboy) is one where with so many imperfections, you’d think that the future would be bleak. But he cooked around BN and schooled above it before heading off to teach his new junior rider the ropes of eventing. Photo from the 2025 RRP Makeover by Erin Gilmore Photography.
Similarly, second opinions are useful not only in the medical land of veterinary science, but also in one’s choice of trainers. In much the same way, when one hits the roadblock of “your horse is just a jerk” or “that’s just how young Thoroughbreds are,” but you feel like you’re missing something, it’s time to perhaps reach out to a specialist.
Below is a first ride video of William (Moro Drama), a horse who recently failed out of a lesson program and faced a shipment to auction, mostly on account of his radiographs and I assume some undisclosed behavioral issues. More on him later, but importantly, that second opinion (him landing here and getting into our program for assessment) opened up avenues that had seemed blocked in his previous situation.
Now, I’m not saying that we have it fully figured out. I’m not saying that the second opinion specialist always gets it right, either. And I’m not saying that someone should “trainer hop” or “vet hop” until they get the answers they like and in so doing, burn all their local bridges. But it often doesn’t hurt to politely seek help when something seems off.
With trainers, my recommendation is to look for people who specialize in what you’re doing (eventing, mounted shooting, working equitation, whatever) and in the horse you’re working with (Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Mustangs, Draft crosses, etc.). If there are local Thoroughbred trainers who seem to be producing lovely horses and your young off-tracker is struggling, talk to them. If there’s no one local, reach out to someone who can help perhaps virtually.
I do virtual and in person consultation (shameless plug to consultation link here), and there are certainly many others out there who are able and willing to help. Photo by Sarah Hepler.
But importantly, when bringing any form of specialist (vet, trainer, farrier, etc.) on board for a first, second or 15th opinion, one must be open to new perspectives and to the potential of needing to change. I’m not saying a rider needs to buy any opinion wholesale, but one may need to be willing to change treatment plans, change stalls or turnout, change meds, change tack, change how they ride, their goals, or what discipline they pursue, change trainers or even sometimes, change barns. And, if ultimately, it seems that the horse (and all they need the rider to change) is not something said rider is game for — perhaps there also may be a potential of needing to change horses.
And that is OK.
(More on how to do that whole ‘change horses thing responsibly’ next week.) But before one jumps off that proverbial cliff, definitely, definitely seek a second opinion.
Go ride folks, enjoy the amazing weather while it lasts.
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