Track Up Equine

Track Up Equine Horse training & coaching based in the Brookfield. Specialising in ottbs and green/young horses.

Track Up Equine offers:
• Professional Coaching
• Sales & Show preparation
• Showing & Campaigning
• Breaking, Training & re-educating of horses
• Horse Management classes and lessons
• Purchase Advice
• Rehab and medical management (bandage changes, medication administration, body work)

28/12/2025

Enjoy without background music, just the sound of clip clop hooves
Sometimes we need to just get out of the arena, out of our heads and back into nature, to allow horses to do what they were bred to do....run.
A little trail ride with a fitness theme, navigating rough terrain, dodging sticks, jumping fallen logs, and paying attention to where our feet go...and as a rider allowing all of that to happen and stay out of the way, in balance. Building confidence and enjoying each other's company 🧡
The thrill of flying is high up on that list too 🐎🪽 as on the back of a horse we borrow wings.
And credit to Fella who did the whole ride on a hackamore and steered through some windy trails with only one hand on the reins, the other trying to film. He is a gem....who is terrified of sticks on the ground 🫣 but they can't be all perfect 💕

22/12/2025

Getting pumped for the Laura Collett clinic at in just 14 days (but who's counting 😆)
First xc school back with our amazing coach since Fellas injury a few months back and we worked on some trickier lines, keeping up a good canter to get that good distance, and not letting me 'chicken wing' out to 'help' fella over fences when I get tired 🐥 (I swear it helps ...right? 🤣)

I can't wait to learn from Laura and see how she can help us kick some 2026 goals 💪🏻

19/12/2025

Progress is not linear and sometimes unexpected.
Fella and I had a SJ lesson with our amazing coach that was desperately needed.

Not because we did everything right, but because we made mistakes and were able to work through them. That's what training is, it's identifying issues and then problem solving to try and fix those issues.

But honestly sometimes the plans don't go to plan and you have to go back to the drawing board, and that's okay. Having lots of tools in your riding tool box will allow you to adjust and meet the situation - and the best part about it is that we never stop learning more tools. Horses are the greatest teachers (alongside knowledgeable and encouraging coaches).

But bless this boy's heart, he tries so hard! He may want to jump like a steeplechaser, but he's learning and getting stronger 💕

Manny had his first PEMF session with today.There hasn't been much to update about Manny this past week because he's se...
11/12/2025

Manny had his first PEMF session with today.

There hasn't been much to update about Manny this past week because he's seemed a bit foot sore and uncomfortable, so I let him just enjoy life until his feet got redone on Monday. All my horses are on a 5 week cycle and do very well, however Manny's feet will take a little while to rebalance and grew a bit toe long after the 4th week.

So the best thing I could think to help him was a session with Ang after his feet got done. All to help him reset, rebalance and repair so I can progress his training.

Ang takes her time to really understand the horses and where they need support (humans and dogs too!) and Manny thoroughly enjoyed his session.

He was a bit weary at first of the coils, but by the end we got a lot of release and relaxation (look at those yawns!). And I can't wait to start the next step of his training once he feels better!

WHAT IS PEMF?
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field technology is a soothing and restorative modality that stimulates and exercises the cells to support overall wellness for yourself, your horse or your dog.

PEMF provides your animal’s cells with the energy they need to perform at their highest capacity. Studies show that PEMF may...
● Increase range of motion
● Generate natural cellular energy
● Provide natural support for healthy joint and cartilage function
● Assist with muscle fatigue and discomfort after exercise
● and support general relaxation



30/11/2025

Week 4 of Mr Manny (may have gotten a bit slack on week 3 posting....sorry!)

The little man is now settled in, showing his personality and starting some basic work.

My starting point for work with all of the otts (and pretty much any horse brought here for training) is lunging.

Lunging is an under utilized and valuable tool for all horses, regardless of training level.

Lunging DOESN'T mean run them, unbalanced, in a circle until they are too tired to express an opinion under saddle
Lunging DOES mean getting them to focus on you as a handler, teaching them to respond to body and voice cues, allowing them to find their balance without the weight and pressure of a rider, and many other things.

With lunging I can see on the ground, before I get on, if there is a weakness or tightness in a limb or direction. I can see how they respond to pressure and release. I can introduce pole work, low jumps, hills, etc - all while allowing the horse to build confidence in themselves and their body, without a rider micromanaging everything.

I start off lunging in just a cavesson, not a bridle, since I want my horses to respond to nose pressure. Then with my otts I add in a bridle, again with the cavesson, so they begin to associate a bridle and bit with cavesson pressure. And then I add in a surcingle and loose side reins attached low (but not between the front legs).

My big thing is that I don't attach my lunge line to the bit because the pressure a lunge line exerts on the bit is different than a rein aid would exert on the bit. And at the end of the day when training the building blocks and 'ABC's' to a horse why would we confuse the horse with teaching different pressure aids. Keeping everything very simple and basic will allow for greater understanding and confidence when translated to under saddle work.

Manny did well when introduced to the side reins, but you could tell he is braced through the neck and back, not allowing himself to release and stretch down to accept contact. That is so common in the otts, but it just takes time and patience and consistency.

Hopefully we will have a ride on him next week 🤞🏻

Riders Retreat 2025 A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a spot in the Riders Retreat at An amazing day that star...
23/11/2025

Riders Retreat 2025

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a spot in the Riders Retreat at

An amazing day that started off with mindset and performance psychology for the wonderful reminding all of us of the foundation of our love and drive in the sport.

Then on horse sessions from the talented where we focused on engagement, control and adjustability in our dressage training. The fundamentals we often forget to work on as we progress through the levels.

Followed by a session with the amazing , where we worked through exercises to improve our strength and balance in the saddle.

And then a grid work and poles lesson with none other than the Chef d'Equipe of New Zealand equestrian team, . We were put through our paces with trot and canter poles, making sure we had our engine and balance in order to build strength.

Fella and I took so much away from the clinic (including some great goodies from .equestrian and )

I can't wait for the next one!

My mantra:
Grounded.
Soft.
Connected.

What's yours?

21/11/2025

Worked with Manny in the round yard today for the first time.

Some race horses have been taught to lunge and others haven't, so I just always assume there is no base level knowledge and then adjust as needed.

And I like to free lunge them before lunging them in a cavesson to make sure they understand the very basics of body language and position.

I personally lunge a lot in my training, not to 'work the energy out' like so many people do, but to teach them how to use themselves without a rider on their backs, how to respect verbal and non-verbal aids, and to visualize on the ground if they seem stiff/tight somewhere.

You can tell in the beginning Manny was much more interested in the gate and leaving to go to his friends, but with consistent direction and clear communication he finally started to understand what was being asked. It took a lot of redirecting and more than a few unclear moments and some big reactions, but he began to understand what I was asking and was calm about it.

So then I ended the training.

I aim to train the horse I want for tomorrow. So I don't train with time in mind, but with a goal. Does the horse understand what is being asked and are they willing to try it. It doesn't have to be perfect or 100% correct. But I want them to try.

Then the next time they'll understand that the 'try' is what I want and are more willing to give it a go. It's about creating a partnership.

Training is never linear and not often 'pretty', but that's okay, we will get there one day. Together.

16/11/2025

Mannie and I are back again - this time going over the basics of teaching an ott how to lead.

This is such a simple thing that often gets forgotten or overlooked when horses first come off the track. Most of their life they've been led everywhere in a bit and bridle and just gone quickly from point A to point B....so we need to teach them to match our pace and respect our space at the same time. I don't want to get drug around or run over when leading and I want my horses to be present and paying attention to me.

I also start introducing the horses how to back up respectfully, AND calmly, during this time. I want them to back up when I back up and follow my body language. This is so beneficial for them to start not only respecting your space in a calm and quiet manner, but also to learn that backing up is just another pace - not something they have to do when they are 'naughty' (think of the times when you've seen someone chase a horse backwards because they've done something wrong and all the horses learns then is to panic when they back up - that's not where we want to start and that's not the standard we want to set)

Also Mannie was a complete superstar for all of this - the video clip is him doing all of these things for the first time with me. So he is a gold star of a student and such a sweet horse.


I did not have Freddie pinged as a little show jumper....but here he is, going around like a little rockstar. Not at all...
14/11/2025

I did not have Freddie pinged as a little show jumper....but here he is, going around like a little rockstar. Not at all what I expected of him but he will be sure to make someone super happy as a jumper, eventer or an all arounder when he goes on the market!

Very definition of don't judge a book by its cover. Freddie looks more like a cute pony than an athletic thoroughbred, but he is loving his jump schooling. He's had less than a handful of jump schools in his post racing career and he just keeps getting better!

Huge thanks to my amazing trainer and his jockey for a few jumps this morning for working with him and me. Rebel has been an amazing coach for me and the otts I work with, so great at building their confidence and ability to use themselves post track.

Horses will tell you what they like to do - you just have to listen.

Maybe instead of My Little Pony I have to start calling him My Little Jumping Bean 🫘

1 week check in for Bak Da Man aka Mannie This little (I think he just barely tops 15.2/3) tb has had an adventure of a ...
09/11/2025

1 week check in for Bak Da Man aka Mannie

This little (I think he just barely tops 15.2/3) tb has had an adventure of a first week of this spell at retraining her at

First thing was some shiny new shoes, courtesy of Luke Riding, an expert in all things hooves and farrier....and puts up with me as a client 🤣 Mannie had some silicon on his off fore which was placed to assist in setting a racing plate, but now causing some long toes and collapsed heels. Luke has placed standard steel shoes, but we are planning to add a bar next shoeing in order to support the heel and allow it to grow.

Most racehorses don't have "bad" feet, they've just been shod a specific way for the track which isn't often biomechanically appropriate for the off the track life. So we start slow, build up nutrition and then support the hoof and he will have a whole new set of feet in 12months.

He also felt it necessary to chew on the lead rope for support 😆

He was turned out with the "herd" of Bella and Fella to learn how to be a horse and has quickly latched on to his 'emotional support chestnut' and can be found sharing a food bucket or blade of grass (much to Fellas amusement 🙃)

He's been straight and cross tied for short periods and stands very patiently - which isn't the case with all otts, so sometimes that's our first lesson.

Mannie has discovered the joy of licorice...he's still uncertain about chomping carrots, but we will get there. Not all race horses are given treats, so sometimes we have to teach them they are delicious by chopping them finely and adding them to feed and then slowly increasing the size of the piece.

And he's had a lovely good bath and tail wash. I'm in love with his tail 😍✨

We are still working on leading politely. Which is why I have him in a rope halter. I want him to learn to respect my space and tempo without the need to correct or pull constantly. I'll make a reel of how I work on this. Almost all otts come off a little 'bargy', not because they are rude, but just from being lead everywhere in a bit & bridle.

Next week will be more of low level handling and just more love 🐴💚

06/11/2025

What, how and why I feed my fresh otts the things I do.

Biggest take away is start with roughage and fibre - full access to a paddock and a round bale is my ideal. But even if you don't have good paddocks then offering free choice, QUALITY, hay is the next best. I even offer my paddocked horses free choice grassy/Rhodes for their guts.

Then adding a variety of fibre types and sources helps their guts "rebalance" and "reset" from the high energy, high NSC, race horse feed. Variety in stem length, type (lupins, Lucerne, beet pulp, etc), and sources (hay, paddock, chaff) - is the best, and most natural way to help their gut health.

I wait for a few weeks before transitioning onto a hard or complete feed, so in the interim I add a variety of easy to digest fibre, a complete vitamin/mineral, and any additional supplements.

My horses are all started on a base of chaff, Fibre Beet Mash, and Hygain EasiFibre. This gives them lucerne, beer pulp, and lupins in guy friendly forms and they feel like they aren't missing out meal time.

For supplements I use:
Barastoc Groom for a vitamin and mineral. I've found it to complete the "gaps" in their nutritional profile really well here in SEQLD.
Kelato Gastroaid Recovery - fantastic, science backed, gut support. However if they have gastric ulcers I will 100% get my vet involved to get Omeprazole. No matter how good a guy supplement claims to be, the only medically studied ulcer treatment is Omeprazole.
Magnesium - to help relax those tight muscles
Salt/electrolyte
CEN Frisky Mare - a fantastic (and not well labelled) product, good for mares AND geldings. With a base of ashwaganda, a proven stress relieving herb, I found it helps ALL horses cope with training changes, lifestyle changes, and competition stress. It just tones down that anxiety and fear of the unknown and lets them be more present in training.

And that's it! At least for a few weeks and then I'll start to transition to a complete feed when their energy requirements go up with training.

Any questions?

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Brookfield, QLD
4069

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