Ex racer.....2 queries....

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chestnutmarelover

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I bought a racer in july (week after last race) so hes had time off to chill, put on weight, had back done etc, first query, when I lunge him he has the most amazing elevated paces, as soon as i'm on, trot is as flat as a pancake, I realise I have to start from scratch with schoolin, would this just be because all hes ever done is race so apart from no top-line just isn't used to using himself correctly? Also he has a horrible knack of catching hind toe to front toe which normally lifts and moves shoe (last time toe clip & a nail ended up in sole - ouch) this is im guessing over working backend & just not balanced? Think shoes are going to have to come off for the winter cos theres not much wall left :( Any opinions helpful!
 
When I first got my ex-racer we had a similar issue, he was actually referred to as ‘the worst moving horse’ my boss had ever seen. About a week after I agreed to buy him he had a wee accident that involved one shod hoof standing on another, cracked the hoof from the coronet band down, nasty injury and farrier advised that it was likely we’d loose the whole rear quarter of the hoof and that it would scar, also advised I was unlikely to be able to get a shoe to stay on in 6 months when it had grown down. So being the middle of winter I whipped his shoes off.

18 month later I’ve not quite got round to putting them back on, he moves so nicely now (nothing to do with my schooling I can assure you!) and he has these cracking little hooves a cob would be proud of! :D

No one believes me just how badly he moved before his shoes were off.

ETA: I'd also get him started on a course of physio, although nothing majorly wrong with mine, it took over a year of quarterly visits before he'd stop trying to buck you off after having his back done!
 
Shoes off, over reaches and strike proof boots such as tendon boots on the front and push him though it he will stop falling over himself as he gets used to working properly, With the feet will need to give it time can take 6 months plus for horses to get used / fully sound on hard ground being barefoot. My last mare was always shod all-round then we had her shoes off due to injury like another poster said and only put fronts back on to help influence the direction of horn growth and she had awful feet but they adapt and she had a great hock action once she was not catching herself. Good Luck
 
My tb was often treading on herself or catching herself with her hind feet...took shoes off...took boots off...absolutely fine!!! My farrier advised it as mine has arthritis in her hocks and he said her feet will then grow and form to suit her way of walking taking in to account her arthritis...he often would recommend tbs to have shoes off behind...he thought it suited many of them out of racing...
 
He'll be working on his forehand the moment you start to ride him. Ask farrier to ensure the heels of the shoes aren't sticking out too far beyond the heels.

Watch you don't push him out of his stride - if you hear him clacking then slow down. As he develops muscle and top line again he should get better.

You could also consider removing his shoes completely for a while.
 
Am in favour of removing shoes completely, trouble is he a right woose on every tiny stone! Anyone recommend a particular type of hoof boot for tb's? I use old macs on my mare but think that type on him may b too clumpy. Will try lunging him over poles 2nite, thats another prob, can only lunge/school weather permitting cos have to use field :( The joy of horses :)
 
There was apost on here with a horse that had boots on that were barely visible they were such a cloe fit...it was actually about if you couldspot them in the photo! can't remember what it was called....can you see anything extra in this photo????
You will have to do basic work with him...he will need to rebalance for schoolwork and adapt muscles accordingly...he has used his muscles for speed...flat speed...I would look at some work thatwould help to bring him into himself if you see what I mean...collection rather than extension...transition work...he won't really have done a huge amount of that...!
I would see about any specific information on the net about re-training racehorses...there are a few places that actually do work with them before loaning...racehorse rehab...Greatwood...
Good luck!
 
Hi all, I lunged him over poles 2nite & he defo started pickin feet up more :) Noticed how awfully on the forehand he is when i moved poles away & loosened side reins for cool down. On the plus side, hes a very good listener & it sinks in!! I ride him in a hackamore (which i feel safe with) because hes just not happy with a bit, so, what would be best way to get him to accept contact with that......
 
My TB mare had a terrible time catching her front shoes with her back ones when I first started schooling her. It was because she was on her forehand. I made sure that the trot was as slow as possible. Don't ask for the horse to work in an outline, just think "jog" and you will get a slow trot. I did this for several weeks and it helped to regulate her trot. She now barely does it at all. She eventually started carrying herself and because she was doing it all herself, she didn't go onto the forehand. Good luck.
 
jesstickle said:
They were China's hoof boots and I think they were easyboot gloves. FWIW. I too was very impressed by them :)
Click to expand...

They will be easyboot gloves. I have these for my arab although he doesnt need them now.They are very easy to put on and take off and are designed to hug the hoof basically like a glove on your hand :D a good website for them is www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk

I didnt use the fit kit just measured him and went for size to fit length, they do accomodate wider than the size guide says though so it is easier to use the fit kit.
 
For my sisters exracer we work him a few times a week in a pessoa, (but it cost me £25 and is called a Norton Training Aid that is basicaly the same thing:) ) have it on a loose setting meaning he can still put his head up and down but the bit round his bum tightens slightly so when he puts his head in the right psosistion and works right from behind the lines go slack this will held build up his top line and be able to cope with you on his back asking for stuff his muscles arent trained to do. Start off warming him up and the lunge, then put the pessoa on for ten minutes then take it off and let him cool down on the lunge. Its a very hard work out for be carefull not to over do it.
If you think about how they are trained for racing their muscles are used in a completely different way than horses in other sectors.

Also ride with a soft contact and don't ask for anything just let him get into the swing of things and he will start to lower and balance. My sisters instructor said something that has always stayed with me. TB's are naturally gracefull as long as you are soft handed and don't ask the earth they will give you more than you ask for with out any fuss.

If you need any other advice the ThoroughBred Rehabiltaion Centre, where we got our exracer, will be happy to offer advice their contact info is on thier web site www.thetrc.co.uk or you can look on their facebook page and ask the advice of not only them but the many people who have rehomed their horses.

Good luck and I hope you have many happy years together.

xxxx



P.S we also have a Equine Sports Massage lady come out to him every three months, first it was every other week tho :), to help lossen everything up.
With regards to the bit have you gotten his teeth checked? Maybe try him in a loose ring snaffle? Or happy mouth? Have a look at what he was raced in and try to get somthing as close to it as possible. Dancer is ridden in a eggbutt frenchlink gold coloured snaffle that warms up in his mouth :)

What was his racing name?
xxx
 
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Teeth have been done, as soon as he has bit in he uses it almost as a stress relief so doesnt listen to anything else!! I dont really want to strap his head up just to stop this so while we are in 'chill' mode (im not gonna start 'proper' work with him till spring) so figured while we are gaining each others trust (occasionally he still expects to be hit but I dont know why cos he doesnt especially do anything 'wrong'!) Im just gonna let him work in what he is happy in.

Whats with the 'dohs'?????!!!!!
 
Someone had posted that there was an article in H&H this wk about ex-racers and mentions their feet! Hence to D'oh from me!

I used a loose ring french link on my tb...a hackamore is actually quite severe strangely enough...and I was advised against them...I also rode her in a bitless bridle sometimes too.

Racehorses are trained to go when the reins are picked up and stop when they are dropped...so your hands are very important and need to be very subtle...he will be confused and unsure as you are asking him things he isnt used too...it will just take time.
The most important thing I learnt from my tb ex-racer was to listen to her...look at what she is doing and see what triggers it...stand back and observe!
I would hav another ex-racer tomorrow if I could afford it....they are wonderful!
 
Also ride with a soft contact and don't ask for anything just let him get into the swing of things and he will start to lower and balance. My sisters instructor said something that has always stayed with me. TB's are naturally gracefull as long as you are soft handed and don't ask the earth they will give you more than you ask for with out any fuss.

If you need any other advice the ThoroughBred Rehabiltaion Centre, where we got our exracer, will be happy to offer advice their contact info is on thier web site www.thetrc.co.uk or you can look on their facebook page and ask the advice of not only them but the many people who have rehomed their horses.

Good luck and I hope you have many happy years together.

xxxx



P.S we also have a Equine Sports Massage lady come out to him every three months, first it was every other week tho :), to help lossen everything up.
With regards to the bit have you gotten his teeth checked? Maybe try him in a loose ring snaffle? Or happy mouth? Have a look at what he was raced in and try to get somthing as close to it as possible. Dancer is ridden in a eggbutt frenchlink gold coloured snaffle that warms up in his mouth :)

What was his racing name?
xxx[/QUOTE]

Best advice you could have. Racehorses don't do much trotting so it's usually their worst pace. They will try their hearts out for you as long as you are patient and quiet in your handling and riding. You almost have to re-break them, but they are quick to learn.
 
Meant to say I did have quite a lot of physio work done on my mare aswell when I got her...and totally agree with tammytoo....wise words for an ex-racer owner.
When bitting my horse the simplest was the best and she has a 'fat' tongue and small mouth which had to be taken in to account!!!
I've learnt an immense amount from my mare...I realised early on she was far smarter then me!!
 
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