re-training race horse

[penny83]

I have recently purchased a ex race horse. He is an absolute gentleman. He is a 17.hh gelding with fab movment and plenty of heart over a fence.. in Fact a little too much.

He last race 5 wks ago and since then i have been doing hrs of flat work and some gymnastic jumping trying to re-train him. He learns fast and is very honest but i have one prblem... he seriously over-reachs.

I have bought him some very good boots and have him well coverd up and yet he still manages to do it, with the result of having to be givin alot of time to heal.

Im just wondering is this a temporay thing which will improve when his flat work starts changing his muscle, making it easier for him or is this going to be a lasting thing!

 

[Fleur100]

It's hard to comment without seeing him.... Have you talked to your farrier about the problem?

His flat work will alter the way he is muscled which may help him. I would tend to do exercises to 'slow' him down...

 

[penny83]

He is a very settled horse for a horse that has recently come off the track, im not sure but i think his problem is he is very active behind and the type of jumping im trying to teach him (jumping with his head down withers up rather then flat which is how he used to jump racing) he just cant get his front legs away quick enough.

 

[Iestyn]

Hi! I have a little flat ex-racer that I bought as a 3 yr old and is now 9. I personally would've given him some chill out time - time out in field and some hacking for a while before I started introducing schooling and jumping. He may well be chilled out but too much too soon could over-cook his little TB brain! LOL!

In terms of what you are doing with him - I would forget the jumping for the time being. At 17hh I can imagine him to be a big, gangly lad and may well have problems in knowing where his feet are falling. I would focus on getting him established on the flat in walk, trot and canter - where the 3 paces are rhythmical and in balance. I've not experienced a horse habitually overreaching before but mine does so sometimes in his extended work - trot especially. Lots of transitions will help with his rhythm and balance and will also help him to engage his rear end and work from behind into the contact rather than steaming ahead and therefore causing the overreaching. Slow everything down.