Happy Racehorse

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Christmas Crumpet

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Took Happy the new ex-racehorse for his first outings this weekend. Went over to a friend's for a ride on Sat and then jumped him over their schooling fences and he flew. He was so well behaved and I was so proud of him. He wasn't strong at all when we cantered up the gallops and was perfectly collected and I was absolutely delighted!! He jumped away from my friend and back again and the last little hedge he took a complete flyer at and she reckoned he must have got at least 5 ft in the air over it!!

Took him over to another friend's yesterday and we went for the most lovely ride in the sunshine. Lots of cantering alongside each other, in front and behind and he behaved impecably. We were doing gates all morning and he did as he was told and was wonderful.

He got the thumbs up all round from all that saw him and they all reckon he'll make a fantastic hunter because he's so willing, not competetive and got amazing manners. I am a very proud mummy!!

I couldn't believe when I was jumping him that I felt so confident on him like I'd been riding him for years. My father in law who found him for me is coming to stay in 3 weeks time and I can't wait for him to see how he's improved both in condition and riding wise.

Yippee!!
 
Well done! They are the most beautiful, intelligent creatures are they not? We have an ex racer that my daughter is now eventing and although he has had his 'fits of pique' - most of which we have put down to anxiety so try to avoid such moments rather than argue - he is the most lovely horse and has certainly taught his jockey to be a sympathetic, thinking rider which can only be a good thing! He is a sweetheart in the stable, moves like a dream and as you have probably guessed we love him to bits!!
 
Thats fantastic, i know its like your walking on air after having a ride like that...well from what i remember anyway, not had a relaxing ride on my ex racer for a ages, wish yours would come and have a word with her for me lol
 
How very exciting and rewarding!! No wonder you're pleased. I adore TBs; such intelligent, noble animals
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'fits of pique' - most of which we have put down to anxiety so try to avoid such moments rather than argue

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Oh I like that phrase!
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Mine too is an absolute dream, a gent to hunt, fab at gates, an absolute poppet in the stable a real joy to own. Most of my family deal so they thought it was odd that I didn't just sell him when we were struggling through retraining issues, but now that have realised how versatile and genuine he has they love him too
I have even been P2P on mine which was fab!
Lets hear it for the exracers!!
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I have to admit that I was rather dubious about having him especially as I had never seen him before he arrived. He has a quirk of weaving if he's bored or hungry but apart from that he's been fab. It did take him a few days to settle in and there was a bit of a nightmare when he got attached to the pikie pony and would charge up and down looking for her. We sold her 2 weeks after we got him so that's out the way now. He's just chilling and having a lovely time.

I am incredibly fond of him already and am sure with a bit of work he'll be a superstar. I felt so encouraged by the way he jumped the schooling fences despite them not being very big. He was fantastic!! Not quite so good over coloured poles but give him his due he did jump a cross pole yesterday quite happily.

I get the feeling he's going to take to his new life as a hunter pretty well and love doing the job too. He hated racing and being in a big yard - here he's got one to one attention and a lot of it. Only problem is that a new race yard is being built at home on the estate and he'll be surrounded by another 18 horses very shortly. I'm hoping he'll realise he's out of it by his routine of being ridden before work, turned out all day till I get hom and then in at night being hunted twice a week. Fingers crossed!!!
 
I never imagined I'd have an ex-racer, but I do and he's gorgeous and I love him to bits. Yes - he's also had those odd 'fits of pique' but I've never ever thought he was trying to unload me or even upset me. I've done a bit of everything with him - showjumping, endurance, western, we do lots of hacking out alone and yesterday we did our first ever cross-country and came fifth, so I was well chuffed. We went clear, but were too slow, a fact that really amuses me since he's not known for going slow! It's nice to know I can hold him back a bit when I need to though.
 
Oh Gilly Seth that made me laugh because my daughter came back with a miniscule amount of time faults xc at ther last BE and she said 'He can't have time faults he was a racehorse......' Out of the mouths of babes!!!!
I must say I was pleased that they did have a couple of time faults because at least I knew that she was in control!
 
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