Chester (the new ex-racer) update

JustMe22

JustMe22

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Some of you might remember my thread introducing my new horse in March or so - a little ex-racer I picked up from the in-training racing auctions. We started calling him Chester and it suits him, so that has stuck.

For those who don't know...here he is (any excuse to show him off!).



I went off to Vietnam for three weeks just after buying him so he had a mini let-down period, and then contracted a virus so was only walking. Still, he is better now!

He's been under saddle probably 3 weeks in total and been ridden in the arena a handful of times, maybe 5. The rest of the time he's hacking out on a long rein, amid lots of snorting and bucking and jogging. I'm amazed at how much balance he has for a horse so young and so recently off the track - my last one was an absolute nightmare to start with.

I'm quite out of practice as the previous retired some time ago, so I've realised I have a few bad habits and NEED TO SIT UP STRAIGHT.

He's finding it all very easy, but does tend to object to the leg sometimes and can back off and buck in protest. It is already greatly improved with the hacking and general work, but it is something we'll need to fix properly in the next few months. I haven't been too strict with him yet and I'm not too worried about it because he is learning and improving daily, and will pop into canter as soon as I ask etc - just need to get him accepting the leg fully and reacting how I want in all paces.

Plan is to maybe enter him in a low key prelim around june or july, and see how that goes. If all is well, then do a few more and hopefully be working towards novice by early next year/late this year. Next year he will be eligible for four year old classes at the young dressage horse series, so I'm considering that as well.

I managed to rope my boyfriend into taking some photos yesterday, so here we go. Not sure why they're all on the right rein, I swear he can go left too!













Sorry for image overload! Thanks for looking :)
 
Ahhh, he's lovely! You'd never guess for the photos that he's only had a few weeks' schooling! Looks like you've got a good one!

T x
 
I liked him when you first got him and I like him even more now, his looking great for a horse that has not really done any schooling, I will look forward to seeing how you both get on.
 
He is lovely!! And going so well after such a short time. I'm in a very similar position to you. I lost my previous ex-racehorse in December after she's been retired for some time. So I'm also out of practice and have had my new ex-racer for a month straight from training, she's just turned 4. So I'll be really keen to keep track of how you're getting on as we'll be in much the same boat soon. I'm just getting on and doing a little riding now after giving her a few weeks off, I suspect it will be much longer til we look like you and yours!!
 
If he's only three he's going to be lovely. He would be too young to enter competitions in this country. I don't think a prelim will hurt a horse who's already been in work since he was less than two years old, but I'm glad that you sound as if you are taking things slowly (and not just because of the virus). He looks like a lucky find :)
 
Thank you everyone for all your nice comments. I'm very happy with how he is turning out so far, and glad I took the risk to buy at auction. For now, anyway. Might change my mind when the teenage phase happens.

ycbm said:
If he's only three he's going to be lovely. He would be too young to enter competitions in this country. I don't think a prelim will hurt a horse who's already been in work since he was less than two years old, but I'm glad that you sound as if you are taking things slowly (and not just because of the virus). He looks like a lucky find :)
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Yes, he turns four at the end of this year. We'll only do training shows and it's more just to get him out and about so that when we do want to compete he doesn't flip his lid. We don't really get intros here otherwise I'd think about that :) He works in the arena once or twice a week at most, and the rest of the time he goes out on the exercise track or on the bridlepaths in the equestrian estate next door mostly in walk. we do trot a little and try to have a canter up the hill but he gets excitable so its normally one or two and then more walking to keep him under control.

Then he'll lunge once a week or so as well.

We have a huge double ring so I'm much less concerned about his joints there as it's not on a tight circle at all, more a large oval - and I firmly believe that lunging is a skill they need to learn. It's also a good way to sort out his 'I am the boss' attitude that pops up sometimes ;)

He goes in the smaller 20m ring for 5 minutes before I ride just in trot to loosen him up and sometimes does trotting poles etc in there, so I like to think he's getting an all-round education but without putting too much pressure on him.

Clare85 said:
Gosh, the colour of him!! He's lovely, all the best with him :)
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Thank you! Can't wait to see his proper spring coat! I saw a photo of him at the yearling sales and he was a much brighter chestnut, so I hope he stays all dark and liver :)

Akkalia1 said:
He is lovely!! And going so well after such a short time. I'm in a very similar position to you. I lost my previous ex-racehorse in December after she's been retired for some time. So I'm also out of practice and have had my new ex-racer for a month straight from training, she's just turned 4. So I'll be really keen to keep track of how you're getting on as we'll be in much the same boat soon. I'm just getting on and doing a little riding now after giving her a few weeks off, I suspect it will be much longer til we look like you and yours!!
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Thank you! It'll be great to keep an eye on each other as we're in exactly the same position :) They are tricky but I love them really - and I agree, best to keep it slow for now. Our first two rides were less than ten minutes and only done in walk and halt!

Please post pictures of your girl! Would love to see her :)
 
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I'll try and post some photos although last time I tried it didn't work :/

They are amazing animals, I'm not sure I'd have anything else now. Yes, it's nice to have someone in the same position to see how they progress. Will give me motivation with mine as you look like you're going to do rather well with yours :)
 
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