Bosworth
Well-Known Member
10 days ago I collected a little TB from my friend. She has had him for about 18 months, but in that time her relationship has broken down and she has lost all her grazing so the decision has been taken for me totry and sell Shadow. He came out of racing in 2007 (a flat racer who didn't stay) and then allegedly did some hacking for a month but for the past 12 months he has been in a field. I collected him, he loaded like a dream straight into my trailer, and travelled home with me for 3 hours. I took him off the trailer and he was a dry as a bone, and just looked around him, followed me into the stable and settled down. His feet were horrendous, huge, flat overgrown so I left him in for 3 days until the farrier could come. the farrier came out, shadow was a star, clearly scared and unsure but bravely stood there and an hour later - he has fantastic feet. So I started him in the school. Initial lesson consisted of 20 minutes learning to stand still by the mounting block and letting me get on and off. he had no idea but soon learned. Then the riding, as far as he was concerned legs meant go faster, and the head needed to be in the air 6 days later I have a little horse who can now work on the bit in walk and trot, who can do circles by legs only and can leg yield. I haven't introduced canter yet as I want him to stay chilled and work out his balance.
Today we hacked him out, he has managed to cope with tractors, sheep, cattle, 2 loose dogs, 2 on lead dogs, the motorway bridge- twice, a cattle grid, a small child and going through a busy village. His eyes were on stalks but he kept it together and any scarey things have to be stared into submission. Ok he did put his head into the other horse on the motorway bridge but he stayed in walk and he kept going forwards.
His attitude is fantastic, he is a lovely forward going ride, a total softy to handle, will do anything for a good ear rub, comes when he is called in the field and tries so hard to please. Having recently had to put up with some idiot horses it is so lovely to have such a genuine horse and an ex racer at that. So anyone thinking that all ex racers are nuts, you are so wrong.
Sorry just so pleased with his behaviour I had to post
Today we hacked him out, he has managed to cope with tractors, sheep, cattle, 2 loose dogs, 2 on lead dogs, the motorway bridge- twice, a cattle grid, a small child and going through a busy village. His eyes were on stalks but he kept it together and any scarey things have to be stared into submission. Ok he did put his head into the other horse on the motorway bridge but he stayed in walk and he kept going forwards.
His attitude is fantastic, he is a lovely forward going ride, a total softy to handle, will do anything for a good ear rub, comes when he is called in the field and tries so hard to please. Having recently had to put up with some idiot horses it is so lovely to have such a genuine horse and an ex racer at that. So anyone thinking that all ex racers are nuts, you are so wrong.
Sorry just so pleased with his behaviour I had to post
