another ex-racer post!!

delberts_racquel

delberts_racquel

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Hi

I realise there are a lot of these already but I need a bit of help please. I bought an ex-racer 6 months ago, I was told wrongly that he's been off the track for 6 months prior to that but turns out he'd only been out of racing a month( I found a video of him on racing post!)

He really is so laid back which is why I loved him, and he seems willing to learn, I just wanted some advice on the best way to approach his training! I've currently only been able to do bits and bobs on him as he had a severe case of celulitis in the summer and had to be rested for a month. I brough him back into gentle work slowly but then with the wet weather our school was closed so couldn't school him, and due to the cold weather (and his inability to register he has 4 feet so he falls over himself
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) i haven't ridden him in the snow. A brilliant friend of mine has been posting about him and getting advice for me but I thought it'd be best if I did it myself!! he will lunge, though again due to the bad weather we haven't done any of that, but I have heard that you're meant to give them time off to forget racing... and then also heard to crack on straight away
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!! his biggest probs are:
1) he won;t stand still to be mounted-just wants to walk off
2) he throws his head after 20 mins walking and if you drop from canter/trot to walk (teeth are fine, being checked again next month, back being seen to next month)
3) falls over himself (A LOT!!!)

He's struggling with the right canter lead but that's just him being unbalanced and lunging is helping but of anyone has any other tips please please let me know!

He's got a good temperament, is so laid back he could fall over (he's 4yo and my friends 22yo runs rings round him!)
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I just wanted clarification on the time off thing and if anyone has any advice on the other points and anything else i should/shouldn;t be doing? I've a good idea but more input is always welcome!!!
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Thanks!!! xxx
 
Sorry I can really help, but I just thought I'd say it sounds as though you haven't had a lot of choice in the fact he's had time off, so try not to worry! I have turned my 3yo away for the winter and I'm so glad I did, as he has grown physically in that time, I've also been busy with a new job and the weather has been awful for the past 3 weeks. It sounds as though he has the attitude and temperament to improve quickly, and so I'm sure you'll achieve a lot with him in 2010.
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Although K is an ex race horse I havent really had any experience of re training one.

If it was me I'd give him time off until Summer, wipe the slate clean, and treat him as a youngster and break him in all over again, working on one thing at a time and ironing out one problem at a time. As he has been ridden before this process will be a lot quicker. When you have good groundwork, concentrate on getting on him.

Izzy used to walk off as I was trying to get on. I used to keep circling her and re-trying but in the end it got so tedious I got my friend to hold her whilst i was getting on, then the next time not hold her and then the next time, move slowly away until it was just me and her.... A polo was given to her as praise for each time she stood quietly. You need to make sure the horse stands though for atleast 30 seconds after you mount. It worked in my case anyway.

Then start to work in the school and let the horse try to get some balance from there on.

Like I said I havent reschooled an exrace horse b4, but i hope this helps
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There is a good book called Buying and Reschooling Ex-racehorses By Christopher and Victoria Coldrey.
1) racehorses are use to having people thrown up into saddle that why he won't stand still.
The book tells you all about this.
Best of Luck he sounds a really nice horse.
 
The throwing his head around may just be due to the fact that in racing, he will be used to racing full speed and not as used to downwards transitions as horses originally schooled for riding. Im guessing it will imrpove with time.
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Good luck on his training.
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CxLBx
 
if he seems happy in himself and his work i wouldnt worry about giving him time off now, as it sounds like he's had a fair bit of chill out time anyway.
my boy is just like yours-uber chilled out, and he had 3 months total off between racing and being re-backed as a dressage pony. he did2/3 hacks in between.
if he isnt naturally a stress head he's more than likely fine to carry on with his re-education
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the head chucking thing seems to be an ex-racer habit, i think its a combination of nerves (are we gonna gallop....are we.....when......are we gonna gallop....etc) and also not really knowing how to *take a contact* as when racing he wont have been taught to accept the bit in the same way a general riding horse will have.
if could also be his way of saying he's either muscle tired or brain tired as this work will be way way different to anything he's done before.
if you are 200% his teeth, bit and saddle are fine i would
1) make sure you dont snatch back when he snatches, but just set your hands in their correct position so he learns he cant snatch and pull you forward/decide how much rein he wants, thus you arent pulling back but just gently limiting how far he can take his neck out.if he is snatching really violently id follow his head a bit so he gently rather than abruptly meets your hands.
2)give him frequent (like every 5mins) breaks to stretch his neck any way he wants it.
3)if it seems to be the *im tired and id like to finish now* option, work him 2/3 more circuits and THEN finish, so he doesnt start to think he cant tell you when to finish, or else you will hit problems further down the line when you really need 500% from him and he isnt prepared to give it. just gently reinforce that YOU say when things end, not him.but gently, not beating him round etc.

for the mounting problem id initially get someone to hold him, and then give him a sweet when your bum hits the saddle so he learns to wait for his treat.this is one of those situations where bribery works wonders!

the balance will come, do some turn on the forehands and leg yields inhand and in walk under saddle to get him more supple and aware of his feet,walking over poles and tteam type exercises will also help. stick to big circles and shallow loops until he is totally confident with that,praise him like crazy for every nice circle etc so he gets confident in himself-i found my chap was really unconfident and scared of giving me the wrong answer to start with.

good luck!
 
i would crack on, hes had time off to chill because of various things!
canter lead, this will be because of predominately racing on one lead, so as you are already doing, lots of work on the right rein- but don't forget the left rein. his left rein will be stronger then the right, so he will take time to become as balanced etc. on the right as he is on the left.
not sure what type of racing he will have done, but if he was flat, he will be used to short bursts of full gallop, obviously they are exercised, but this is just up the gallops after a warm up in the arena... so build up the work slowly so he gets used to longer sessions.
racehorses are jumped on from the ground, as in jumped on and are normally held by someone, but they often move around, so this is just out of habit. i would get someone to hold him while you are getting on him, but be consistent with how you do it, and make sure he is standing before you put your foot in the stirrup... and as Prince has said, treats are great!
it will take time but you will get there! once your there they are great- all our polo ponies were ex-racers and some of them have been the nicest ones we have owned, lovely temperaments.. but always need some TLC...
Good Luck
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Hi there, with regards to the time off, it dores really depend on the horse. Having said that, Ive had 3 ex racers all straight out of training, and they all had a few months off to chill and gain some weight. They were all laid back but I personally think it does them the world of good, wether they need it in body and/or brain or not. However, it sounds like your boy has already had some time off due to his problems so I would probably not worry about giving him a holiday now.
However, if it was me, I would probably be inclined to leave schooling him until I could get some consistent work into him, rather than doing bits and bobs when I can. Like most youngsters, he would probably benefit from little and often ie. 15 mins everyday to start with. If you can, and the roads are suitable, maybe try doing some chilled hacking for the time being until you can work him more consistantly? That way there is no pressure on either of you and it might build him up grtadually so that when you do come to school him he will find it a bit easier.
As for the problems you have mentioned, they are all I would say classic ex-racer schooling issues. The above post (from Prince33Sp4rkle) has some great tips, but dont worry yourself unduly, the unsteadyness in the head and lack of balance will only come with time and correct schooling. As for the walking when you get on, this is just what he has always been taught, the rider will always have jumped or been legged on while he was walking. Again, perseverance and consistance will soon sort this - try to get someone to hold him while you get on, and maybe get on and off a few times before and after everytime you ride him so you both get lots of practice!
Good luck!
 
thank you for your advice guys!! Prince- my friend Rudey posted a pic of my uber intelligent pony pretending he was a sheep so you can get the gist of wat he is like! Also i do think the head tossing is the latter point, the 'mum i'm tired and I can't be bothered and i want to go eat' rather than anything else so will persevere! and as suggested by lucyfer I've tried the walking round and round and given up too as it just takes forever! Luckily our yard is fantastic and most people are happy to help you out so will drag someone over and get them to hold him and play the on-and-off game with him until he gets it! He's also very very voice responsive, more so than leg and hand which is very helpful, and as I said when he does decide to bolt... well put it this way last time I was still busy chatting to my friend as he was legging it and she was still in trot so that's about how fast he goes- permanent lollop!
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Hi, I have no advice I am afraid but I just had to say that my boy, (although not an ex racer) was showing very similar behaviours- chucking head in downward transitions, stumbling and refusing to canter on right lead, and it turned out he has cartilage damage in both stifles, worse on the right. It might be worth getting a vet to check him over? I am sure yours is ok though, there could be lots of reasons for these things but it just sounded so familiar. Best of luck!
 
thanks laura, I'm getting the back specialist out next month (when i have money!) to check him over. that vets did an x-ray and thoughrally checked him over for me when he went in for his celulitis and said there was nothing major they could find, just a slightly thickened canon bone but that was a birth defect rather than anything sinister!
 
I havent read all of the popst above so i am sorry if I repeat things here! I have retrained ex racers for a living until very recently. I hate the whole stigma attached to the word 'ex race horse'! Yes you can get naughty ones but you can get naughty welsh cobs to! I find that most are well behaved, Ithink the reason been that on a race yard of say 100 horses, there is no time for one who wont load on race morning, or one who wont stand for clipping etc so they are taugh to behave!

From what you have written about your boy I dont think you have anything to worry about. It takes time for them to adjust to been 'normal horses' thats all, he basicaly needs to forget he's a race horse. I would simply ignore the head throwing unless it is a huge problem. I totally belive he will grow out of it.

The right canter thing is a problem all ex racers have due to them been raced to the left. Right canter will come in time, but it will take time and practice practice practice!

I wouldnt worry at all about the time off, they need down time every now and again, racing is very stressful so he probably enjoying been able to chill!

this is Beaver, he struggle with the righ canter, this is him after about 5 weeks of schooling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLsZZsaRNhU

And abit of jumping just because I want to show him off!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_Swg_OrBI
 
Well done for asking for advice - these are 'special' horses who do take time to adjust. It can be a long process but with patience and time the results are very rewarding. i have an ex racer and have had most of the same issues you are describing. I did give him some time off in the field when he first came but it was summer. If yours is laid back - I would carry on. It took me a long while to get a decent trot which was frustrating but i guess it was his least used pace! Most of the stumbling and head tossing issues will be balance related and he will need to learn how to accept a contact and not rush off. When racing, picking up the reins is a signal to go. I have spent a lot of time lunging and hacking - alternatively and short schooling sessions 10 mins at a time. anyway - best of luck and just keep going - little and often is the key
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Don't know where your based but Jeanette Breakwell is doing a lecture/demo thingy on retraining ex racers at Osbaldeston Lancs at the end of the month. Might be worth a nosey. Not sure how much tickets are tho. Bex
 
QR not read all of the replies so forgive me if I'm repeating. Not had any experience of reschooling racehorses but I ride a few point to pointers so not totally out of the loop. One thing I'd say is fitness, he wont be able to work properly for very long if his muscles aren't developed. Obviously the weather is against you at the moment but I;d say lots of hacking if he is good to strengthen him up and teach him where his legs are without him having to bend round lots of corners. Obviously you can school too but the hacking will probably help him to organise his legs and get some balance - if he really trips consider knee boots!

Good luck, I've only just got into Thoroughbreds but am fast being bitten by the bug!
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Lots of good advice above. I've had my ex racer since the end of September and he is settling in really well. I bought him straight from the track and have taken things very slowly but started riding him a week after he came to me. I have mostly hacked in walk to adjust him to his new life and let him relax.

The first few times I mounted I asked someone to hold him but he now stands still for me on his own, ive never given him any treats as he is so responsive to praise. I only spend 15 - 20 minutes in the school and lunge him once a week. It is tiring both mentally and physically so don't be tempted to rush. You will reap the rewards in the long term if you take your time.

As the others have said all the problems you are encountering are normal and nothing toworry about so long as you remain calm, patient and consistent.

Good luck.
 
he looks rewally confident jumping! Like i said i tried with del and he seemed ok just fell over himself as usual at first. my froend tells me he'll be a 4 faulter!! what was your method with yours for jumping? I just aimes and kicked and hoped for the best!!!
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.... somebody has caught the HHO bug lol! Wuahahahahaaaa!
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Welcome to the forum sweet xx
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For the benefit of everyone else, this is the one and only Delbert, he is a very special boy!!!
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lmfao! my horse/sheep!! fought him to get out of the stable today- trying to muck out with him trying to eat his hay from outside is not fun!! thanx for the pick- which yes, i realise i was being thick and did take myself!
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