Looking for Some Advice

[Lueeza]

Hi,

I am looking a little bit of help and advice.

I have recently bought myself a 13yr TB gelding with a big racing background (his last race was 2010). He came from a young girl who was wanting something that was a bit more of a challenge.

I got him home and he seemed like the perfect gentleman, but now he has settled in his is far from it.
I know the young girl did some re-training with him but I don't think that she's done it quite right, as he is still very green when it comes to been a "normal" horse, with very few manner and an attitude problem to boot!

I know I am going to have to go back to basics with him, as I think that somewhere along the line something has gone slightly wrong.

Really I was just wondering if anyone knew where to start.

Thanks

 

[lawa]

Start with your ground work stable manners ect.

Long lining working on the lunge. Basically take back to breaking.

Then start very slowly undersaddle as you would with a newly backed horse.

I would also suggest turning away for a few months and starting afreash

 

[oldie48]

I'm no expert on RoR but I just wondered how long you've had him and what he'd been doing with his previous owner and how was he when you tried him? I don't know how experienced you are, so please don't take offence but IME when horses change hands, once they are settled in they can start to test boundaries and if not dealt with consistently, can get the upper hand. Have you had a TB before? They can be quite clever at sussing people out (as in deed can any horse!) Also do you have a good instructor? Your horse hasn't raced for 4 years but you may be right in that he's not been retrained well but if he was well behaved on the ground and when ridden he may just be "trying his luck". I'm assuming you have already done all the usual health checks to ensure he's not in pain?

 

[Shay]

oldie48 is quite right. Even though he is 13 I would expect him to still be fairly green. If his last race was in 2010 he has only been out in the real world for 4 years or so. He's going to be as green as any 4 / 5 year old. He's not been a "normal" horse as you say for longer than that. Is his behaviour in keeping with a horse of about 4 / 5 years of age? He could be testing the boundaries. He could be unsettled by something different in his routine - and of course you must rule out pain. It could be that he is fizzy on his feed - or just cold and a bit more jumpy.

Many retrained racehorses come through a recognised retraining yard. if that was the case for yours they may be able to help. Or perhaps look for some help from someone experienced with retraining? I've not had one myself - but we've had quite a few on yard over the years. You do get to recognise common issues.