watching my horse get a little education

my 4 year old TB off the track is learning how to be a riding horse. He's been turned out for 16 months (no time) so he's pretty out of shape and furry from living out in the run in. My friend Karen is working with him on the ground to teach him how to carry himself properly before he starts working under a rider. He's like a gawky teenager right now. Even though the arena skylight is loose and banging in the wind he doesn't mind it...just a little skip in his step when he first hears it. After that...no response. He just can't figure out why we want him to walk across those poles. They were never on the racetrack.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• thoroughbred
• horse
• training
• riding

[Julieanne43]

heres a thought...how about you ride him so he can learn to balance ...going around in cirlcles with someone tellme trot on trot would drive me insane. good way to wreck his mouth if he has one after racing.

[gracendignity]

most of our horses here in Canada race wearing snaffle bits... they come off the track for the most part being very easy to transition to other careers. You don't see many "mouth" problems unless the trainer ignored dental work or they were ridden by bad riders or are being transitioned by bad riders. We were doing ground work as my friend was recovering from major surgery and couldn't ride yet. I don't ride. This horse is now schooling 2nd level dressage now (with a rider) ...have a nice day...

[gracendignity]

If he just arrived from the track he may need a little "let down" time to get the high energy feed out of his system and learn how to relax. If you take a hold of my guy he is still inclined to get a little strong (a strong hold at the racetrack means giddee up not slow down) so try keeping your hands soft. He just needs to figure out what you want. He must be a tough dude to have survived all those years of racing. Good luck with him. My guy is starting pony club & dressage shows this year.

[gracendignity]

Yes he's a big lovable doofus...always was even when he was racing as a two year old. The most well behaved horse I ever took to the paddock. Wouldn't move even an ear while he was being saddled for a race. He starts showing this spring in pony club and is getting a passport so he can show in dressage at CEF recognized shows. I'm having trouble editing the video I have of him under tack but will post it when I figure it out.

[gracendignity]

Yes he went to one of Karen's former students who now teaches riding herself (she's a very accomplished dressage rider) and he is beginning to learn dressage and he just started jumping last week. She can't believe how smart and kind he is. He's almost 17 hands high now and still filling out. I'll be posting more video soon as I edit it down.

[gracendignity]

yes, I've had him for 2 years now. He's 4 and a half years old.

[PaintedPicasso]

@Julieanne43 horses need to be taught from the ground up, regardless of discipline. Being ott he needs to develop a different mindset and way of going by himself/. a rider could muddle his mouth and balance. it would be better to long line than lunge but both have their purposes.

[az09mcr]

@gracendignity hmmm awsome horse though our 11 yr old tb ex racer came of the trak 6 months ago lol he nw acts like a retired old pony heheh hes soo slow but has his moent in the sun tohugh lol hope is all well for ur horse good luck

[Julieanne43]

Thankyou for your response. I wasnt trying to be rude with my comments. Helpful crititism. the horse is not working from behind as hes not tracking up so he cant round up,hes not happy with his mouth as this form of lunging teaches them not to go forward. Just because his head is down doent mean hes working correctly. I would like to see hom doing dressage. all the best

[pokekitty2]

this helps alot i have a 14 yro that just came off the track and ive hopped on him in a round pen and we walked and trotted a lottle and he was a jerk might try this

[xMovingxPicturesx]

He looks like a promising mount!

Do you have any videos of him going under saddle?

I have two ottb mares, they're fun.

Your big fellow looks like a real sweety.

:]