Off The Track Care

A new chapter
starts with the
right nutrition

Thoroughbreds retiring from the racing lifestyle need a carefully managed transition to set them up for long term success. From gut health and conditioning, to muscle recovery and joint support, trust Ranvet's science backed nutrition to help your OTT thrive.

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Over 0registered active race horses annually in Australia
0%of the racing population is retried annually, pursuing new chapters in breeding, pleasure or performance
0 +OTT horses rehomed annually in Australia
6-12 weeklet down period for horses post racing
GI issuesGastrointestinal issues are the most common health issue observed in retired racehorses
0 phasestructured approach to OTT nutrition
The transition journey

From racetrack to riding horse

Coming off the track is a major physical and mental adjustment. A structured nutrition and management plan gives your OTT the best chance to settle, recover, and flourish.

1
Weeks 1-2
Arrival & stabilisation

Introduce paddock time where available. Reduce starch rich energy sources and increase quality fibre provision. Keep things cool, calm and quiet.

2
Weeks 3-6
Diet Transition

Introduce Phase 1 Diet by small changes and additions. Feed taste and texture will be very different and may take some time for your new OTT to trust. Grooming and in hand work is a great way to begin building trust between the new partnership.

3
Weeks 7-12
Condition building

Working with a Phase 2 Diet base. Increasing calories through fat and digestible fibre to support condition building and energy needs as re-training commences, causing a rise workload demands.

4
3 months +
Long-term maintenance

Establish a sustainable feeding programme. Ongoing joint, gut, and hoof support. Adjust ration to workload as ridden work fluctuates.

After
Before
↔
Ranvet diet recommendations

Suggested feeding guide for OTT thoroughbreds

The biggest dietary change for an OTT Thoroughbred is the transition from high volumes of energising starch based grains to a lower volume, higher fibre based ration. The below phases fulfil the minimal nutritional needs of a 500kg horse, in each respective stage, as outlined by the National Research Council requirements. Always introduce dietary changes gradually over 7–10 days. Adjust quantities to individual body weight (BW), condition score, and workload, or seek an individually tailored plan from our Nutrition Team.

Phase 1
Arrival
Access to Pasture (or ad lib hay)Yes
Access to Salt LickYes
Feed
Lucerne Chaff0.5kg
Wheaten Chaff0.5kg
Extruded Lupins0.5kg
Lucerne Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Meadow/Grass Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Supplements
Ration Balancer30g
Iodised Salt15g

Quantities based on a 500kg thoroughbred at maintenance. Provide fresh water at all times.

Phase 2
Conditioning
Access to Pasture (or ad lib hay)Yes
Access to Salt LickYes
Feed
Lucerne Chaff0.5kg
Wheaten Chaff0.5kg
Extruded Lupins0.7kg
Lucerne Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Meadow/Grass Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Supplements
Ration Balancer30g
Iodised Salt15g
Topline FX300g
Grand Prix Oil150mL

Quantities based on a 500kg thoroughbred at Elevated Maintenance. Provide fresh water at all times.

Phase 3
Light to Moderate Work
Access to Pasture (or ad lib hay)Yes
Access to Salt LickYes
Feed
Lucerne Chaff0.5kg
Wheaten Chaff0.5kg
Extruded Lupins1.2kg
Lucerne Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Meadow/Grass Hay2kg (1 biscuit)
Supplements
Ration Balancer45g
Iodised Salt30g
Topline FX300g
Grand Prix Oil200mL
Salkavite30g

Quantities based on a 500kg thoroughbred at Moderate Maintenance. Provide fresh water at all times.

Ranvet product recommendations

Essential supplements for your OTT

Ranvet's range of supplements is built for Australian thoroughbreds. How? Our products have been developed, researched, trialed and tested within Australia's leading race stables, by vets and nutritionists who work with thoroughbreds every day. No one knows thoroughbred nutrition better!

Ranvet Ration Balancer 3kg
Daily nutrition

Ration Balancer

A complete A-Z pelleted vitamin and mineral ration balancer filling the nutritional gaps in Australian equine diets. Supports coat, hoof, and overall condition by ensuring daily needs are met for body, hormone and cellular level functions.

✔ Full A–Z vitamin & mineral coverage
✔ Highly palatable apple flavoured pellet
✔ Economical, concentrated daily dose
View product
Ranvet Topline FX 14kg
Cool conditioning

Topline FX

A concentrated, high-quality, fortified protein, mineral and essential amino acid blend that builds and maintains muscle mass after racing. Supports development of back, hindquarter, and neck musculature during retraining.

✔ Rebuilds topline & hindquarter muscle
✔ Improves body condition score
✔ No starch, no added sugar = fizz free
View product
Ranvet Salkavite 2kg
Electrolytes

Salkavite

Premium B-group Vitamin and electrolyte replacer replenishing nutrients lost through sweat. Keeps horses hydrated and aids in recovery on work days.

✔ Restores sweat electrolyte balance
✔ Stimulates thirst & drinking
✔ Replaces essential B-group vitamins lost to sweat
View product
Ranvet Settle'em Plus
Calm & relaxed

Settle'em Plus

Feed supplement for nervous horses with added chelate. Supports a calm, stress-free transition for OTTs adapting to a new environment and workload.

✔ Reduces anxiety & nervousness
✔ Ideal for arrival & early retraining
✔ Also available as a paste
View product
Knowledge base

Articles for OTT thoroughbred owners

Practical advice from equine nutritionists and veterinarians on caring for your off-the-track thoroughbred.

Feeding
Ranvet Nutrition Guide
Top 10 Rules of Feeding

When it comes to feeding horses, there are a lot of things to consider besides the ingredients. There are 10 golden rules to feeding, read on to find out what they are and why they are important!

Read article
Care
Ranvet Nutrition Guide
Adopting an OTT Thoroughbred

Whether you are thinking of adopting a racehorse that has just recently been retired or one that is already established there are a few things to take into consideration.

Read article
Training
Ranvet Nutrition Guide
Managing Stress at competitions

Competition can be stressful for horses (and their riders alike!). There are several effective strategies that may help in managing equine stress during competition.

Read article