09/12/2021
Amazing and versatile horses 🐎💚
🐎Thinking re-training an xracehorse?
Before you begin to retrain your x-racehorse we plead with you to pause and think about your horses journey and teachings to date. Let’s take a moment to think about how utterly confusing it is for the horse, been ridden alone, been stepped up on, the difference in the tack, environment, feed, regime and how everything they’ve been thought from day one is now not always what we want in their new career.
As a foal or yearling, they are thought to walk, they are encouraged to really ‘walk on’ always forward. Racehorses are usually used to their riders mounting and getting a leg up on them while they are walking (forward forward) they usually don’t take time to stand around, you can start to see how confusing this can be for a horse. Please read on with an empathetic and open mind.
1️⃣First things first
I always give the x-racer at least a month off in the field, remember thoroughbreds are thin skin so they feel the cold more than your sport horse or native breeds so a rug may be necessary (see our rugging post). It’s worth asking the previous owner or handler does the horse get turned out, sedation may be required for the safety of the horse.
2️⃣I aim to bring the horse in for a feed every day, so it gets use to you and the yard. Hopefully coming in for a feed is a positive reinforcement after been caught. This helps us identify if the horse is a worrier when stabled.
3️⃣I’ll always get a dentist to check the horse before I start any exercise.
4️⃣I’ll feed low protein feed and plenty of roughage to begin with and I’ll re-evaluate the diet depending on the horses temperament and body condition at a later date.
5️⃣❗Lunging is great for most x-racehorse, its good for them to find their own balance and listen to your voice, I am I BIG fan of voice commands, walk on, trot, canter, click (if getting lazy) steady (only used to slow and move down the gaits) and whoa - only used to halt! Even leading, I constantly use my voice, it’s incredible how responsive they can get, whoa when opening closing gate, back etc.
The only lunging aids I really use are side reigns, this is a personal choice, I like to keep things simple, they learn not to sn**ch the reigns and if side reigns aren’t fitted too tight they generally don’t get forced behind the bit unlike other aids that apply poll pressure. Be patient and please don’t run straight away for gadgets. I do plenty of transitions, this helps engage the horse mentally and if the horse is too downhill (head to the ground) this can help them get back in their hocks, as they aren’t rushing forward. Even when he horses are in full ridden work ill generally lunger 1 or 2 days a week.
💛Whatever makes the rider feel more comfortable will benefit the horse. I generally allow the horse to live out, I find ‘Dr Green’ the best medicine and we all want a happy, content horse!
6️⃣❕Riding
Your horse shouldn’t be fresh after the lunging (lunge before you ride). Ensure your saddle fits and is well padded before riding but not over padded as it can move/roll on the horse. It’s advised you’ve someone on the ground to help mount. I sometimes use grass to distract them and use it as a treat when mounting. Never underestimate how reassuring it is for the horse to be praised! For the first few days I don’t ask too many questions of the horse, I get to know him/her and their way of going before I go trying to change anything for at least a week or so. The first few exercises I try are transitions. Depending on the size of your arena I will walk a lap, trot, walk, trot, so on. It can be repetitive, but gives the horse something to think about. All the time using my voice and seat, close thighs on the saddle to slow down the gaits and sitting tall and heavy with shoulders back at the same time when asking to slow down and halt. Going up the gaits tend to be easier, just loosen your thighs but not your lower leg, squeeze.
I find riding everyday in the early stages works well, even if its just for a 10min walk and some transitions. Hacking can be very good for the x-racer and if your horse is hesitant hacking or in the arena for that matter a good ‘babysitter/lead horse’ and rider will be a life saver as long as the rider understands what you want them to do (stay in front or beside if you need a lead). Sometimes the x-racehorse may just need some moral confidence from another horse. Always praise the little accomplishments and if your horse is wary or unsure just allow the horse have a second to sus out whatever it is wary of and a reassuring pat will work better than a smack, I find – ALWAYS.
🧡A horse that trusts their rider is far more effective than a horse with talent alone.💛
7️⃣Before I move on to do canter work, I make sure my walk-trot transitions are good especially going down the gaits. Generally, it’s a good idea when cantering to start in a half seat. Patience is essential here, I’ve had horses who could only lead on one leg than after a period of time and patience the penny drops. Try let them find their own balance too, don’t hold them together too much if you can avoid it, it can be a difficult habit to get them out of and can cause them to pull. I’ll generally lunge once a week at this stage and if my horse is struggling in canter I’ll do a lot of canter transitions and of course make a bit fuss of them when they get it right!
8️⃣All depending on your level of riding, I generally start leg yielding at this point (generally 4-6 weeks into work), in walk and into the fence / outside of arena so I turn a few feet away from the fence and once the horse is straight, I push them towards the fence with my entire leg and seat. This will be natural for them and great safe way of getting them to listen to leg aids.
9️⃣Outside bends and inside bends are good at this point too. Using leg and hand, asking the horse to bend for a few strides to the inside then straighten them and ask for an outside bend. This has saved my bacon at so many shows, when I’ve stepped foot into a showing class, must walk and if my horse goes hollow and behind the bit and feel like they are about to explode, I straight away leg yield and outside and inside bends just to get their brain back, it’s my go to exercise!
😊 Happy Retraining!
