A bucking bronc is just about the polar opposite to the average retired Standardbred, even when first started under saddle.
Which makes it more than a little ironic that a former rodeo rider is the head trainer for Harness Racing Victoria’s HERO Life After Racing Program.
Ex-pat Kiwi Warren Cochrane followed the Australasian circuit for five years and won the Rookie Ba****ck Title in 1986/87.
As a youngster he dreamt of a career as a jockey but outgrew that ambition – literally.
Instead Warren found himself shepherding on some of New Zealand’s most famous high-country stations before being enticed by the bright lights and glitz and glamour of rodeo life.
At the height of his career, he locked horns with the roughest and toughest equine combatants in the business, a far cry from the level-headed, co-operative and largely very trainable Standardbreds he now spends his days re-educating.
Warren is no stranger to the breed, however, having spent 25 years in the harness racing industry in his homeland, as a trainer, driver, breaker and highly respected farrier.
He relocated to Australia in 2012 with his wife Bronwyn, herself an accomplished horsewoman, and together they have built an enviable reputation under the banner of Cobe Lodge Limited.
“Our dream was the run a successful equine education business,” Warren recalled, adding that he had developed a strong clientele of Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Sporthorse owners in New Zealand’s acclaimed Canterbury region before chasing new opportunities in Victoria.
“We were also well versed in Standardbred life after racing – we always rehomed our personal retirees, many of which went to my brother who is head shepherd at Otematata Station (one of the country’s largest privately-owned stations),” he said.
“The property covers 400 square kilometres and runs 30,000 sheep Merino sheep and 400 head of Hereford cattle – they only use Standardbreds and would be lost without their sure footed and reliable equine workmates.”
Boasting almost three decades of riding experience and a competitive background in show jumping, dressage and eventing, Bronwyn has studied under a host of nationally and internationally acknowledged trainers.
But she credits many of both her personal, and Cobe Lodge’s training philosophies to renown Maori horseman Taukiri Te Whata.
“It’s been a successful recipe for Warren and I, bringing together our respective knowledge from very different backgrounds then studying together under Taukiri to develop a unique approach,” Bronwyn explained.
“Our trainer spent many years developing his own methods with help from Tom Dorrance and Merv Kildey, both legends in their own right.
“Taukiri has combined the best aspects of natural horsemanship and the classical system used by Nuno Oliveira and Jean-Claude Racinet,” she added.
Cobe Lodge came on board as a casual retrainer at the commencement of the HERO Program in July 2015.
Two years later, Warren and Bronwyn were recruited to join the Program full-time, and they now have as many as eight retired pacers and trotters undergoing saddle education at their Bendigo property at any one time.
The couple also oversees the assessment and upskilling of HERO Registered Retrainers.
“I can’t lie. Prior to meeting Warren 14 years ago, I was a Thoroughbred girl through and through,” Bronwyn readily admitted.
“But I’ve grown to love Standardbreds for their incredible work ethic and complete versatility.
“Since working with HERO particularly, I have a developed a huge amount of respect and admiration for the breed and that’s still growing – these horses never cease to amaze me!”
Cobe Lodge has created a structured retraining program designed to make the transition from racetrack to hack as seamless and stress free as possible for HERO recruits.
“We focus very much on the basics, so that the horses are comfortable and happy in their ridden work and therefore eager to please,” Warren said.
Newcomers spend up to two weeks fine tuning their groundwork skills, with progress often dependant on the individual horse’s age and experience within the racing industry.
HERO horses can vary from unraced youngsters who fail to make the grade to older retirees with long and successful racing careers behind them.
“The introduction to saddle work always takes place within a confined arena and we aim to put the basic aids in place such as halt, forward, turning, shifting and rein back,” Bronwyn said.
“As racehorses, foundation ridden skills such as halt and standing still aren’t necessarily a priority so they become key from the outset; working on getting some bend through the body of a horse that has only ever learnt to turn within the confines of sulky shafts is also very important,” she added.
“We’re extremely fortunate - our background within the industry allows us to recognise, interpret and address Standardbred racing behaviours which could otherwise inhibit their transition to ridden work.
“Once the HERO horses are aware of what’s required of them as a riding horse, we get them out into the bush which is where they really learn to enjoy their new job and blossom.
“This is also where the exposure and life experience gained in a racing stable really comes into play because not much tends to faze the trainees once they’re out and about, it’s more a case of getting miles into their legs and acclimatising them to a different role.”
Cobe Lodge consistently has HERO Program graduate horses available for inspection and purchase.
For more information follow Cobe Lodge Limited on Facebook or check the Off The Track section in Horse Deals.
