Preparing a thoroughbred horse for a race

Question
I'd just like to know what kind of vitamin supplements are good to give before that races and during training. Also, how should I prepare my horse?  What kind of excercises should I have him perform in order to prepare him for the race?

Answer
hi lisa, well your taking on a very serious and hard training program to get a horse ready for raceing. for the pupplements you need to give him biotin, muscle builder, electrolytes, joint supplements, and basically a supplement for every part of his body. equipiose is also used it will give him alot of energy.this needs to be given by a vet though.
as for exercise. for one week jog him a mile. the next week gallop one mile but slowely. the thirde week do one day trotting two miles and the next three a medium gallop of a mile. once he is starting to get in good shape let him out alittle bit and get him to lengthen his stride. keep him running the next week. one mile one day and two miles the next then trot two miles. you really want him to build up his distance. once he can breeze two miles easily its time to do a work on him. a work is were you let him out at racing speed for a few lengths. start with one furlong the first week and two the next. only work him once a week all the other days just do a slow gallop. no more then that or you will make him sore. get him to worke 6 furlongs nicely then he is starting to get on track.work with him on the starting gate and have him break clean and straight. just start out at a walk then go to a trot. once he is comfortable then canter out of it. next you want to start a slow gallop out. when he is ready to work from the starting gate then repeat the same. only work him one furlonge then two and so on. to ensure he is not a bleeder have a vet check him every so often and check his lungs. a training program can change and some trainer will have a harder one or an easier one. this is the program i used that i learn from hall of fame trainer jack van berg. he trained the 1987 kentucky derby winner alysheba. alot goes into racing. make sure you ice your horses legs before and after works. walk him for at least 30 minutes after each ride, and keep alot of electrolytes in his body at all times. good luck and let me know how things go.
amanda groff