Re-training a ex race horse.

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Bojangles

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A friend of mine have got a loverly ex race horse who she is still getting used to him it's only been 3 months. Getting better evey time she ride him. As I havnt got any experince with dealing with ex race horses

She's asked me on how she handles him and if I would do anything different. I did say Im not sure maybe a bit more of a staight foward answear when asking to come back not allowing him to canter when he's should be trotting. Is that the corretly way?? Wheter it's still the race horse side thats showing don't really know?? I still think it's early day's and is improving a little most day's which is a very good sign!!

When out hacking if we do a trot it's a canter he doesnt filght it or tank off. He does settle down after a couple of lap's of the field mine in trot her's in a slow canter.

Im not sure what to suggest i don't want to make him worse by being too harsh then again not being firm enough!!

I would like to help her I just feel at a lost as Ive havnt had the expernice to help her. My boy complety different but both of them get along really well out hacking together

Also when we do hack out together we do a faster ride not full beet everywhere mostly trotting and a some canter is that too much too soon?? My boy used to this work load.
Any help would be so greatfull thanks
 
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If your friend is quite happy then it could just be a case of gradually over time slowing him down or you could try shorter bits of trot and he may then realise that it is time to trot not canter. The other thing is perhaps how you set off - perhaps putting him into trot a little bit before the other horse, just very quietly thinking trot rather than into canter. Also trot in different places so that he does not automatically think canter.
 
I dont know if this is just my experience with them but they seem to be more comfortable in the canter, i found "rising" (like you are doing a rising trot but in canter if you know what i mean!!!) to the canter, breathing deep, relaxing and sitting nice and light helps to get them back to the trot with no fighting. :)
 
Humble pie- I let her go off first as I didnt want him thinking it's a race. My boy does have a big trot I don't have problems keeping him steady. We have let him have a few strides of cantering she doesnt want to pull all the time on his month and he kind of humps on the spot when you try to use your seat/legs to slow him down. He also swings he's bum out to the side when asked to stand still which he doesnt like doing hopeing in time it will improve!!

The first couple of rides out we kept it very slow little trot here and there. Letting her first go into canter too. From what I have seen and workd out is that he prefer to be doing more trotting then walking he is better once he had a trot doesnt jog or goes sideways! He settle down much better too. Thanks for tips will past them on
 
With the canter thing your friend is right not to hold him too much, infact when he goes into canter instead of trot, drop your hands and relax. He probably never did much trot work, and needs to learn to relax. Lots of hacking and work in the school will teach him. Maybe ever tim he tries to canter, give him a pat and bring back down to walk and ask again. Use voice commands too.
Personally I think trying to trot round a field is a bit of lost cause, maybe on paths/roads and in the school.
 
I agree with dominobrown, trotting in the school and on the road rather than in a field would be best. Working on his flatwork in the school should really help.
 
I complety forgot about the seach bit will do that next. He is schoold twice a week I think the rest of the time is hacking or lungeing. She does drop her hands low and wide and use voice which helps him. Thanks peps.
 
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