Great Plains Thoroughbred Advantage

At Horse Creek Thoroughbreds, we recognize the unfavorable circumstances that many owners and trainers of race horses encounter, as their runners near the end of careers at the track. With limited opportunities for retirement and overflowing rescue facilities, the racing industry faces additional challenges to a weakened horse market. Through the encouragement and endorsement of track veterinarians, trainers, and industry representatives, we developed an option for qualifying equine individuals.

Under the name of "Great Plains Thoroughbred Advantage", we provide a rehabilitation process that gives Thoroughbred geldings a chance to recover from the rigors of a racing career and time to develop new skills outside the backside environment. Relying on our experience using Thoroughbreds for ranch work, we expose former racehorses to tasks necessary for success in new vocations, be it on the range or in the arena.

Allowing time to "let-down" from the physical or emotional stress of stall life, our geldings work through this stage with rides across the sweeping expanses of South Dakota ranges moving cattle. Horses gain confidence being ridden in the wide open, negotiating creek crossings and varying terrain, while developing reining and maneuverability under saddle. Progressing to more intense cattle work, such as gathering and sorting, exposes the geldings to a faster pace that demands more mental focus and responsiveness. Through wet saddle blankets and long days come the preparedness for rope work and eventually, dragging calves to the fire or holding cattle at the end of the rope for doctoring. Typically a year or two is required to develop a program graduate, which we call a "Great Gelding"!

Shown here are "Great Geldings" in the making. Please contact us for details on these individuals or information concerning enrollment requirements for "Great Plains Thoroughbred Advantage". Perhaps your racehorse will become the next "poster boy" for the versatility of this great breed! 

Dale & Blaze	Sue's Lil Roo as a ranch horse	Dale & Wally
Too Tall	Whiskey	Great Geldings back to basics!
This is a gelding named "Secret Brand."	Love Abroad and Dale	Whiskey at dressage
Tally Up checking the herd	Too Tall	Possibi
Dale & Roo branding	Reckless Capote	Tally Up working baby