S3 E10: Inside Stall 13 with AP Graham: Helping the OTTBs Who Fall Through the Cracks

Fan-favorite guest Aubrey “AP” Graham returns to OTTB on Tap to take us inside Stall 13, her new nonprofit created to help a particularly vulnerable group of off-track Thoroughbreds: the horses who encounter complications during their transition or later in their second careers and may otherwise fall through the cracks.Many OTTBs move successfully from racing into new homes and careers, often with the support of excellent aftercare and retraining programs. But some need more time, investigation, rehabilitation, or specialized support than a traditional transition allows. These may be horses dealing with unresolved pain, unsuitable placements, training challenges, or owners who no longer have the resources to help them move forward.Aubrey explains how Stall 13 works alongside her training and sales program, Kivu Sport Horses, to give these horses time, thoughtful evaluation, veterinary support, retraining, and a better chance of finding the right long-term home.The conversation dives deeply into the connection between pain and behavior in off-track Thoroughbreds. Aubrey shares real-world cases involving kissing spine, hock arthritis, suspensory injuries, ulcers, hoof pain, rearing, bucking, rushing, and spooking. She explains why the most obvious diagnosis is not always the correct one, and why riders may need to look beyond the back and begin with the horse’s feet, lower limbs, and hind end.Emily, Niamh, and Aubrey also discuss the challenges of honestly marketing Thoroughbreds, the limitations of describing any horse as “safe,” and why a horse may behave very differently after moving to a new barn or rider. They explore what adult amateur riders are really asking for when they want a quiet trail horse, and why that type of experience and reliability can take significant time and training to develop.Aubrey also shares updates from Kivu Sport Horses and Thoroughbred Logic, including her upcoming Thoroughbred Logic book. Designed as a practical guide to understanding and retraining off-track Thoroughbreds, the book connects what horses learn at the racetrack with their behavior, training, physical needs, and first rides in a second career.This episode is an honest, thoughtful look at OTTB rehabilitation, horse-first training, pain-related behavior, responsible placement, and the difficult but rewarding process of figuring out what each individual Thoroughbred needs to succeed.Connect with Aubrey Graham and Kivu Sport HorsesWebsite: www.kivusporthorses.com Facebook: AP Graham Facebook page: Kivu SporthorsesLearn more about Stall 13Website: www.stall13.org Substack: https://substack.com/@stall13thoroughbredsThe Stall 13 website also includes information about the organization, available horses, and ways to donate.