Back to basics..

[ruby92]

So in May I purchased a 9 year old ex racehorse out of training for 4 years the lady I brought him from had jumped him for fun odd hack out etc, however I feel he's not been shown how to be supple , soft or any kind of contact , still doesn't like standing still at a mounting block although he is better than when I first got him, he's a gentleman to lead and deal with on the ground , his flatwork definitely needs work I feel this has been rushed since he was retired from racing, I'm thinking of going back to basics as I'm not getting anywhere at the moment..
Questions..
Where do I start
How do I stop him from getting fresh
How long should I spend on each step

Obviously I will get my trainers help too just want some advice on here

 

[mariew]

Find an instructor experienced in ex racers to help you? I'd start at the basics too. Regarding not staying fresh, I suspect you need to give him regular hacks with trots and canters and the odd gallop if this is possible to get the energy out of his system. And of course the usual, don't overfeed and provide lots of turnout would calm down energy a little.

If I find a horse is bubbling over with energy before a schooling session, I would lunge first for my own safety. Again depends on if you are able to do so and your horse's nature, but people on a forum can't really judge that.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What you feeding him?

 

[ruby92]

What you feeding him?

Nothing at the moment hes out 24/7

 

[Ample Prosecco]

When you say you are 'not getting anywhere' what do you mean? How does a typical week look and what does he do. I live the 'basics' no matter where my horses are up to. In other words, if there is a gap in understanding I work on it it. Such as standing politely for mounting. Working correctly in the school. But I mix that in with other stuff too. My new green horse is an experienced show jumper while very green on the flat. But I will mix basic flatwork with jumping. I won't treat her like a newly backed horse. Re freshness, I really like all horses to be calm even if they have energy. I don't like the idea of 'getting energy out'. I prefer them to be mentally calm not physically tired. That's trainable too - things like getting on and just sitting there doing nothing till the horse stops fidgeting then getting off again. I never dismount a fidgety horse after schooling/hacking either. Horse as sofa has a lot of uses!

 

[ruby92]

When you say you are 'not getting anywhere' what do you mean? How does a typical week look and what does he do. I live the 'basics' no matter where my horses are up to. In other words, if there is a gap in understanding I work on it it. Such as standing politely for mounting. Working correctly in the school. But I mix that in with other stuff too. My new green horse is an experienced show jumper while very green on the flat. But I will mix basic flatwork with jumping. I won't treat her like a newly backed horse. Re freshness, I really like all horses to be calm even if they have energy. I don't like the idea of 'getting energy out'. I prefer them to be mentally calm not physically tired. That's trainable too - things like getting on and just sitting there doing nothing till the horse stops fidgeting then getting off again. I never dismount a fidgety horse after schooling/hacking either. Horse as sofa has a lot of uses!

A typical week is trying to keep him calm while ridden which depending on how hes feeling that day can take some doing, doing exercises to help get him supple etc , his canter is rushed head in the air no feeling of control.. I do start off sessions slow let him have his rein walk a bit before taking up the rein but there's still that switch..

 

[paddi22]

A lot of ex racers haven't got the muscle, balance or strength to work calmly. Some can be very tricky to reschool unless you know how to fix the issues you are encountering. To be honest I've seen people get exracers and go around in circles for years making very little progress and still have a hollow rushing horse after a few years. My advice would be to pay a pro to put a few weeks schooling into your horse and show you what they are doing and what way you need to ride him. It might be an initial investment of money but it will honestly save you in the long run and you will get to enjoy your horse sooner. It's a very skilled job to teach a horse balance and to learn contact and to take weight behind and build strength so it isn't rushing and panicking. If you don't think you have the knowledge of skills it's well worth investing in someone to even do a few sessions on the horse and give you pointers and exercises.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

It can take months and months to build different muscles so that your ex racer can carry you properly. I would say he is rushing etc because he is worried and not exactly sure what you want at this stage. I would get a sympathetic trainer whi understands exracers to help you. As for how long each stage takes, it takes as long as it takes. Its totally different from buying a youngster to bring on. You have to completely change their way of going. Just take it really slowly. Good luck, they are beautiful horses and so worth it.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Just seen the bit where you say you walk a bit then take the rein. Don't forget a jockey shortens his reins in a race to get the horse up into the bridle to go faster. Try keeping a good length of rein.

 

[ruby92]

Just seen the bit where you say you walk a bit then take the rein. Don't forget a jockey shortens his reins in a race to get the horse up into the bridle to go faster. Try keeping a good length of rein.

I didn't mean take the rein as it shorten right up as I know this to an racehorse means go faster, I always have it at a reasonable length

 

[Ample Prosecco]

A typical week is trying to keep him calm while ridden which depending on how hes feeling that day can take some doing, doing exercises to help get him supple etc , his canter is rushed head in the air no feeling of control.. I do start off sessions slow let him have his rein walk a bit before taking up the rein but there's still that switch..

Whatever you do physically (and I agree with all the comments about muscle, balance etc) you still also need to work on his brain. Horses can't learn if they are stressed/worried. I feel the brain training side of things is often overlooked. Groundwork is good for that.

 

[oldjumper]

So in May I purchased a 9 year old ex racehorse out of training for 4 years the lady I brought him from had jumped him for fun odd hack out etc, however I feel he's not been shown how to be supple , soft or any kind of contact , still doesn't like standing still at a mounting block although he is better than when I first got him, he's a gentleman to lead and deal with on the ground , his flatwork definitely needs work I feel this has been rushed since he was retired from racing, I'm thinking of going back to basics as I'm not getting anywhere at the moment..
Questions..
Where do I start
How do I stop him from getting fresh
How long should I spend on each step

Obviously I will get my trainers help too just want some advice on here

I suspect you are correct that his schooling has been rushed (or missed altogether). I would treat him as if he’d come straight off the track. Start with lots of walking - hours and hours - encouraging him to work ‘long and low’ and to track up correctly. Include as much hill work as possible. This will help build correct muscle before trying to make him ‘go in an outline’ on a circle. Neither of which he will find easy if he hasn’t been correctly reschooled. Some of his ‘freshness’ likely to be stress from being asked to do things he finds physically difficult or can’t understand. Ex racers can take time but in my experience repay the effort and teach you a lot along the way!