Proposal

For my hands on project I will be documenting myself training an off the track thoroughbred horse, Tactical Tabby, at my barn, Taney Brook Farm. Tabby is an 8 year old OTTB who was lucky enought to be retired to a breeding farm at the peek of her racing career. Her bloodlines trace back to being the granddaughter of the famous Secretariat. I will record all of the progress i make with her from day one until the ending day, seeing how far i can move the horse along in a certain period of time. The horse I am working with has only racing experience and no solid training or foundation of riding.
 * __My Intended Project__**

The goal of my project is to set goals for each week and see if each step of training is achievable or not, such as (to name a few): Using my experience as a horse person and the knowledge of my mentor, Michelle Birchard, my goal will be to develope the foundation on the ground and under saddle by my ending point, which is in a few months. The outcome of my project will be to leave with a better understanding of what race horses are like and what experience they have from off the track, and to discover the most effective way to retrain them into a horse of all diciplinces.
 * __Project Outcome or Goal__**
 * accepting grooming and tack quietly
 * developing muscle and putting on appropriate weight for work
 * longing at the walk, trot, and canter with bridle and saddle
 * beginning work with rider mounted in round pen on longe line
 * developing manners such as standing quietly in hand and walking behind the shoulder

I will complete my project by developing a schedule if smaller and larger goals to meet with Tabby by certain dates (see my Journal page for updates). I will work with the horse at least 5 days a week and I will document every improvement and obstacle.
 * __Project Completing Strategies__**

To be able to complete my project I will be working with my mentor to help me decide the best route to achieve my training goals. I have all of the tools and and materials needed (video camera/camera to document progress) and the training materials as well. I will be in contact with my trainers/previous instructors for feedback if needed. Approximately 8 hours a week will be devoted to the process of bringing Tabby along to my ending goal.
 * __Project Resources and Materials__**

__**Research Topic**__ My topic of research is the life of race horses behind the race track, how they're treated, and what happens to them after their career as a race horse is over. I chose this topic because i am a horse person myself and have ridden many ex-racehorses, and the sport i play, polocrosse, most people end up rescuing or buying ex-racehorses off the track or from a local auction. I want to find out how long horses have before they are put up for auction or slaughter, and how they are treated when off the track.

What is the life of a race horse like behind the scenes of the race track and what happens to them after their racing careers are over?
 * __Essential Question__**

I have ridden horses all my life, and ridden many ex-racehorses. This will be my first time training a completey inexperienced and green horse on my own. I have been to the race track numerous times, and have some background information on the topic, but my goal is to go deeper into what happens behind the scenes.
 * __Prior Experience__**

__**Research Benefits**__ I will develope a better understanding on how these specific animals are treated and will hopefully be able to walk away with the knowledge to better the lives of ex-race horses in the future by raising awareness of how they are treated behind the glamour and money of the sport of horse racing.