My ex-racer journey!

simonsponygirl

simonsponygirl

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This is my first ever post on here after just browsing for years! I thought I would share my exracer journey after seeing other's inspiring stories on here also!

I will do my best to keep it short and sweet! From 2004-2011 I had 3 different horses, all who I did mostly BS on and they were all great! Come 2010 I sold up in prep for uni, after a year I was missing it profoundly and had only the smallest amount of cash saved up. With this I decided on the ex racer route and at HEROS in Wantage I fell for a horse called Cowboy...



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He raced about 13 times from 2-6yrs, a win, few placings, then was turned away for a long time before being rehomed from heros twice before me. This was why..

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right picture!

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Causing this..
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He was a nightmare, reared on the ground profoundly, tried to bite and kick. Charged at you on the lunge. The bucking and over exuberance I didnt mind it was his general attitude on the ground. I rang heros one day saying I didnt want him anymore!

Now 14 months on, he is the best horse I have owned! He has literally excelled in everything and now has the most loving attitude on the ground and to work! I do not have transport due to being a a cash strapped student so regularly hack 10+miles to shows! Out of the 10 we have done he has placed in 8, never lower than 4th. In unaff sj, dressage, combined and ror. This year so far we have got our first wins in dressage and we are now going to step up to novice. A lot more showing to come and One day when I do have proper transport I will affiliate, I would especially like to event him.

Renamed to Oby here he is over the past year..

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Levitating!
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Sorry so many pics, but who doesnt love pictures!! I also have a youtube channel if anyone fancies some late night video watching.

http://www.youtube.com/user/simonsponygirl

I promise to post more now :)
 
He's gorgeous :) love that you put lots of pics on, it really illustrates his journey.

Also do you think the name change had anything to do with his transformation? Cowboy is quite a fitting name for a bucking bronco! Lol
 
What a lovely story! Horses just need that one person who understands them :)
He's a stunner and you have done him proud where others let him down. People don't understand how hard it must be for a racer to make the transition into 'normal' horse life.

I wished is get my exracer once he had been retired, unfortunately he didn't make retirement :(

Enjoy your boy and don't feel bad about the long hacks to shows! I bet he loves it :)
 
Beautiful photos! What a wonderful opportunity you've given him!

Just needed to say though - those bucks! Made me feel a bit queasy just looking at them!:D
 
Stunning stunning beastie!! Well done you, he looks amazing! And well done for sticking with him :D
 
Love this post!!!
I have owned my ex racer for 4 months now and after a shaky start he is turning into an amazing horse!
Your post has me excited about the future for me and my boy now..... Well done too, i know its not easy ;-) xx
 
Wow, he looks amazing now! Well done for sticking with him, he certainly looks like he was worth it :D

Shame you are not closer to me as I wouldn't mind giving you lifts to shows to save you having to hack there!
 
Thank you everyone for all your lovely replies!

I hated his name as cowboy, that was why I changed it. He got it though apparently because he used to just bronc when the stalls opened!

I guess he just needed the time and attention to change! He has never had any really bad habits under saddle just was very on the forehand. He can sometimes still be quirky on the ground but now I know him we have come to mutual agreements!

Thank you again :)
 
What a transformation!

Did you know about his "quirks" when you took him on? What did HEROS advise when you called to say that you no longer wanted him?

What was the turning point with Oby? What changes did you make? Did you try different things with him?

I'm really interested in the re- schooling process and the multiple factors involved.

Well done again :)
 
Well done and what a transformation! And what a buck he had! !

I'd also like to hear about how you got from the bucking rodeo horse to mr calm. :)
 
Just like to say well done, you have done a great job with him, so many people these days just want the finished article, they are just not interested in putting in the work to improve horses, whether its lack of knowledge or what I really do not know, the result is so many horses that could be really good with alot of work are being sent on the scrap heap so to say !
 
Sorry not quite sure how to quote but TPO, no Heros did not tell me why he was sent back etc but just said that basically we were a more suitable match. He previously went to an equestrian college! So I was aware he had a bit of umph behind him but didn't realise the amount.

The bucking was a combination of complete over excitement after having not done anything and a sore back! They were pretty understanding and said about swapping him but before doing so they offered to come out and help. They basically re iterated who was boss on the ground! I then just had to be brave and stand up to him haha!

I literally just spent so much time schooling him on the flat and tons of hacking. Had a lot of trying different bits, a lot of pokerwork, he has no idea where his feet were! Eventually it all just came together really and he stopped bucking so much! Last time he did now was a few months ago whilst galloping!

I think the biggest part of his transformation was having a structured plan as to what to work on each week etc and just take baby steps! He's starting to learn medium trot and flying changes properly now :D!

Thank you guys x
 
Thats a great story simonsponygirl! Well done you. He really looks fabulous and you have obviously put in heaps of work to get him there. Love all the pics too! :)
 
Well done, great pics!! I'm going through the same, though not yet at the flying over jumps bit!! Just at the starting to believe we can leave the ground soonish.. Inspirational.
 
He's absolutely stunning, you must be so proud of him and yourself. Sometimes quirky horses are the best.
 
Gosh, what an inspirational story.

I hope you achieve all those successes you dream of, sounds like you have the winning formula together!:D

Congratulations on meeting each other, and having the guts to stick it out when the going got tough. You deserve all the wins....xx
 
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