Paint Horses use their speed from the track to excel in the arena.

Racehorses typically have a short-lived career on the track because of the stress that running puts on their bodies. But unlike other breeds, Paint Horses run in fewer races because not as many races are available to them in the same age brackets, leaving them less worn down when their racing ­career ends. This gives them the ­opportunity to turn a new leaf and learn other events.

More often than not, former Paint racers—such as Bet Or Check and Snafols Hero—are shown in speed events because of how they were bred. Others, like Habitual Flyer, are trained for English events because of their conformation. Read along as the Paint Horse Journal finds out what it takes for them—and any racehorse—to jump from a successful racing career to a strong performance career.