The Next Start Program

Sound from the Ground Up

Horses coming off the track carry more than just a racing history. They carry years of training that shaped how they move, how they hold tension, and how they load their bodies, often in ways that don't serve them in their next career.

Most of them aren't unsound. But most of them aren't moving as freely as they could be, either.

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The Next Start Program is being developed specifically for owners who have purchased a horse off the track and want to understand what they're working with, physically, biomechanically, and practically, before the real training begins.

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What the Program Will Include:

• A comprehensive biomechanical and postural assessment

• Soundness evaluation tailored to the transition horse

• Chiropractic evaluation and adjustment

• A clear picture of what your horse is carrying and what they need

• Farrier radiographs

• Practical guidance for the road ahead

 

Full program details coming fall 2026

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The Course:
Alongside the assessment program, Dr. Kristen is developing an owner education course built around the off-track horse, drawing on her lifelong experience with racehorses and years working with performance horses at every level. The course is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to support your horse through one of the biggest transitions of their life.

More details coming soon.

 

Why Dr. Kristen:
The Next Start Program wasn't built from a textbook. Dr. Kristen's connection to the track goes back to her teenage years, grooming on the track in high school, studying the race track industry at the University of Arizona, and spending years working alongside racehorses before and after earning her DVM from UC Davis. She understands where these horses come from, what they've been through, and what they need to thrive in what comes next.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What is The Next Start Program?
It's a specialized assessment program for horses transitioning off the track into a new career, combining biomechanical, postural, and soundness evaluation with chiropractic care. It's designed to give owners a clear picture of what their horse is carrying before training begins.

How soon after retiring from racing can I start working with my horse?
It depends on the individual horse, which is exactly what the assessment is built to determine. Reach out and Dr. Kristen can talk through timing based on your horse's history and condition.

Is this program only for Thoroughbreds?
No. While Dr. Kristen's background is rooted in Thoroughbred racing, the program is built for any horse transitioning off the track, including Quarter Horses.

The program launches fall 2026. If you have an off-track horse and want to be first to know when appointments open, get in touch now.

📞 602-603-7139
✉ kdchristensendvm@gmail.com
We'll reach out as soon as the program is ready.