Retraining ex-racers thread

[Elf On A Shelf]

Ours are used to be walked, trotted, cantered and yeehaad (you defos couldn't call it anything other than yeehaaing!) Round the fields with us as well as work on the roads, straight and circle gallops, in the school over a variety of obstacles and all are turned out every day.

Soxy is a total dude!

 

[humblepie]

Saw a group of three horses in Lambourn the other day meeting a huge artic. All good as gold. Life experience

 

[humblepie]

It's a good line up this year of Invitees. A Scottish horse is heading over that has picked up 2 HOYS tickets this year - as a racehorse and a hunter - and I suspect he will be very hard to beat. But of course we will all be rooting for Arthur ?

Didn’t know he was going over. Did seem him many miles from Scotland getting his racehorse HOYS qualification. Be cracking class to watch in Dublin.

 

[RachelFerd]

Saw a group of three horses in Lambourn the other day meeting a huge artic. All good as gold. Life experience

Things I met in Epsom riding 2/3yo flat horses....

- multiple M25 motorway bridge crossings (at one yard, all of our 2yos were hacking over these within a week of being broken in...)
- double decker buses and arctic lorries crossing roads and riding along roads
- Pegasus crossing (rider activated traffic light crossings)
- children sledding on the snow covered downs in winter
- people flying kites
- the weekly model aeroplane flying club
- someone doing push-ups ON THE GALLOP
- loose dogs (there was not any kind of dogs on leads rule due to ancient byelaws about the downs)
- a cyclist who thought it was a good idea to throw stones at racehorses (we ended up getting the police involved after 3 days of this)
- the entire construction and deconstruction of the funfair on the downs for the Derby festival
- auto sprinkler systems running on the racecourse
- people doing cross country skiing practice on wheels
- infinite numbers of runners/cyclists/dog walkers with zero common sense

 

[humblepie]

Things I met in Epsom riding 2/3yo flat horses....

- multiple M25 motorway bridge crossings (at one yard, all of our 2yos were hacking over these within a week of being broken in...)
- double decker buses and arctic lorries crossing roads and riding along roads
- Pegasus crossing (rider activated traffic light crossings)
- children sledding on the snow covered downs in winter
- people flying kites
- the weekly model aeroplane flying club
- someone doing push-ups ON THE GALLOP
- loose dogs (there was not any kind of dogs on leads rule due to ancient byelaws about the downs)
- a cyclist who thought it was a good idea to throw stones at racehorses (we ended up getting the police involved after 3 days of this)
- the entire construction and deconstruction of the funfair on the downs for the Derby festival
- auto sprinkler systems running on the racecourse
- people doing cross country skiing practice on wheels
- infinite numbers of runners/cyclists/dog walkers with zero common sense

That is definite life experience. Funnily enough both of mine were from private yards with own facilities and private gallops. They‘ve ticked off quick a lot similar to your list since though fortunately no one throwing stones. Did have child lying down on skate board appear out of sloping driveway right in front of us a few years back

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Things I met in Epsom riding 2/3yo flat horses....

- multiple M25 motorway bridge crossings (at one yard, all of our 2yos were hacking over these within a week of being broken in...)
- double decker buses and arctic lorries crossing roads and riding along roads
- Pegasus crossing (rider activated traffic light crossings)
- children sledding on the snow covered downs in winter
- people flying kites
- the weekly model aeroplane flying club
- someone doing push-ups ON THE GALLOP
- loose dogs (there was not any kind of dogs on leads rule due to ancient byelaws about the downs)
- a cyclist who thought it was a good idea to throw stones at racehorses (we ended up getting the police involved after 3 days of this)
- the entire construction and deconstruction of the funfair on the downs for the Derby festival
- auto sprinkler systems running on the racecourse
- people doing cross country skiing practice on wheels
- infinite numbers of runners/cyclists/dog walkers with zero common sense

On our private gallops we have encountered a tattie cannon - some horse pelted past, some slammed the brakes on, you just figured out which one would do what and put a zoomy one behind a stoppy one so the zoomy one got slowed down the stoppy one got rammed up the butt and kept going forwards ??

We have also come across "shenanigans " ??? they shifted on pretty quickly!

Racehorses do see a hell of a lot of life. Way, way more than their equivalent age sports horses or in fact most horses in their entire lives.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Didn’t know he was going over. Did seem him many miles from Scotland getting his racehorse HOYS qualification. Be cracking class to watch in Dublin.

Yeah he got an invite as he has done so well. There are 6 invitations and the other 12 have to have qualified. Arthur is an invite as is Douvan and Tiger Roll. General Principle won his way in as did Black Hercules.

 

[RachelFerd]

That is definite life experience. Funnily enough both of mine were from private yards with own facilities and private gallops. They‘ve ticked off quick a lot similar to your list since though fortunately no one throwing stones. Did have child lying down on skate board appear out of sloping driveway right in front of us a few years back

Yes, far more life experience than the average riding horse. It is really noticeable with my current ginger that he came from an extremely sheltered experience, being trained at Barbury Castle. I don't think he had ever seen a farm animal, a cyclist or any traffic moving faster than 10mph before I got him, let alone loose dogs or wild children! He spent a lot of time being shocked/scared in our first few years together. He's quite a lot better now, but definitely lacks a bit of the "yeah whatever" that you'd get from proper early exposure to stuff.

 

[criso]

Things I met in Epsom riding 2/3yo flat horses....

- multiple M25 motorway bridge crossings (at one yard, all of our 2yos were hacking over these within a week of being broken in...)
- double decker buses and arctic lorries crossing roads and riding along roads
- Pegasus crossing (rider activated traffic light crossings)
- children sledding on the snow covered downs in winter
- people flying kites
- the weekly model aeroplane flying club
- someone doing push-ups ON THE GALLOP
- loose dogs (there was not any kind of dogs on leads rule due to ancient byelaws about the downs)
- a cyclist who thought it was a good idea to throw stones at racehorses (we ended up getting the police involved after 3 days of this)
- the entire construction and deconstruction of the funfair on the downs for the Derby festival
- auto sprinkler systems running on the racecourse
- people doing cross country skiing practice on wheels
- infinite numbers of runners/cyclists/dog walkers with zero common sense

And yet i still have problems with Daffodils and a large leafed plant i sometimes see i have nicknamed Triffids.

I can hack over the railway bridge with a noisy goods train underneath us though.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ours are used to be walked, trotted, cantered and yeehaad (you defos couldn't call it anything other than yeehaaing!) Round the fields with us as well as work on the roads, straight and circle gallops, in the school over a variety of obstacles and all are turned out every day.

Soxy is a total dude!

Theres just something about thoroughbred ears ?

 

[humblepie]

Hacking mine out today I had a conversation I have with him sometimes - was it more fun being a racehorse, so stabled more but his work being going out for a canter with his horsey mates with the occasional race, or now when he is out for much of the time but has to go round and round and round in circles (that isn't strictly true spends most of his time hacking not schooled but does get dragged off to shows).

 

[criso]

Frankie never got the point of dressage, he didn't mind schooling so much and I could pop him into a canter and he'd happily stay there cantering round in circles. What he didn't get was the constant changes of pace, I could feel him getting more irritated with each transition and he'd comply but with an irritated little head shake as if to say "make your mind up". Much preferred being out exploring.

Tigger in the other hand likes the school as a safe space and gets a bit more anxious in open spaces. If we are going to hack, he's much more relaxed in enclosed areas like woods or lanes with high hedges than an open field.

 

[humblepie]

Crisco- Yes I think that too with frequent transitions!

 

[Peglo]

My TB was probably one of the ones that give TB’s a bad name ? she had terrible feet, great long thin neck, didn’t enjoy hacking, would be a fluffy cuddly bunny one moment and then threaten to kick the next. She would argue with my requests and I would have to ask ‘pretty please’ or would get mini bronks. Anything out of routine was a big deal. Very bossy with the other ponies. But she was 100% in traffic! Never looked at anything, big tractors with trailer, artic lorries. Nothing. She was beautiful and brave and athletic and I would love another one.

really enjoying reading this thread. Beautiful horses everyone.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

And yet i still have problems with Daffodils and a large leafed plant i sometimes see i have nicknamed Triffids.

I can hack over the railway bridge with a noisy goods train underneath us though.

Well duh! Every flower is out to kill them don't you know?!?!? Trains - meh. Flower - ARRRGGGHHH!!!! ITS GOING TO EAT MY FETLOCKS!!!!!

Standard racehorse procedure ???

 

[Barton Bounty]

My TB was probably one of the ones that give TB’s a bad name ? she had terrible feet, great long thin neck, didn’t enjoy hacking, would be a fluffy cuddly bunny one moment and then threaten to kick the next. She would argue with my requests and I would have to ask ‘pretty please’ or would get mini bronks. Anything out of routine was a big deal. Very bossy with the other ponies. But she was 100% in traffic! Never looked at anything, big tractors with trailer, artic lorries. Nothing. She was beautiful and brave and athletic and I would love another one.

really enjoying reading this thread. Beautiful horses everyone.

Half of that is my boy! He is so sensitive! Mini bronking for the least little thing! Yesterday it was half a branch with leaves attached ?

 

[BunnyDog]

I've owned 12 of the most wonderful Tb's who raced. Since 1984 through last week (My last Tb died unexpectedly) and none of them were ever all of the stereotypical things that the detractors lean on.

They've all played their roles in allowing my progression as a rider. Like any horse they had things they taught me to learn to surmount, and gracious kindness for holding us together when needed.

I don't mind the folks who feel they don't want them, in much the same way that I respect that people from the gaited world have skills and love for their section of the horse world that I am capable of honoring and respecting without feeling the pull to join in. Over here not every sports fan loves all sports, so I don't take it personally if folks have preferences. I won't buy a Mercedes Benz car for my own reasons. I don't think it's very far off the same ideas.

Plus... more Tb's for the rest of us

Link to OLD pics of some of them:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/xctrygirl/albums/72157625931573818

Em

 

[Barton Bounty]

I've owned 12 of the most wonderful Tb's who raced. Since 1984 through last week (My last Tb died unexpectedly) and none of them were ever all of the stereotypical things that the detractors lean on.

They've all played their roles in allowing my progression as a rider. Like any horse they had things they taught me to learn to surmount, and gracious kindness for holding us together when needed.

I don't mind the folks who feel they don't want them, in much the same way that I respect that people from the gaited world have skills and love for their section of the horse world that I am capable of honoring and respecting without feeling the pull to join in. Over here not every sports fan loves all sports, so I don't take it personally if folks have preferences. I won't buy a Mercedes Benz car for my own reasons. I don't think it's very far off the same ideas.

Plus... more Tb's for the rest of us

Link to OLD pics of some of them:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/xctrygirl/albums/72157625931573818

Em

Lovely pictures ? and very true words

 

[LEC]

Aldy is slowly putting on weight and muscle. Went for his first solo hack today and boxed up both ways. We have crap hacking from the yard so I have been ponying him up and down the road
as he was a little worried about flapping things or signs telling you to slow for ducks but ponying has worked a treat and he can now deal with scary things and was a gem today.

I just love him. The sweetest and nicest person ever. I have started popping him over little fences out of trot and on the lunge to get him using his body and he has done a month of basic fitness. Will start getting him out and about a bit more now I know the basics are in place.

He gets the saddler this week as been borrowing a saddle for him as my M Equipe is far too big. I need to measure him for rugs as well as think 6’9 might swamp him!

 

[TheMule]

Eagle has been busy having his horizons broadened- for a horse who has raced 35 times, a dressage show was a bit of surprise to him. He kept it together and performed the kind of test you'd expect from a racehorse for 57%. But it's a box ticked and he'll only improve!
He has also been to a couple of jumping lessons and has been awesome- he really enjoys his jumping, he has good footwork, he's brave, quite naturally careful, and he makes a lovely shape when the feet are slow enough, but of course we're still battling a bit of that hurdler mentality when we string a few together in a bigger space. We did do a rather entertaining wall of death the other week
He is also the most wonderful hack- he goes anywhere on his own and we've started to have some lovely long canters where he is just a joy

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Its so nice to see everyone's progress! They truly are amazing horses!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Aldy is slowly putting on weight and muscle. Went for his first solo hack today and boxed up both ways. We have crap hacking from the yard so I have been ponying him up and down the road
as he was a little worried about flapping things or signs telling you to slow for ducks but ponying has worked a treat and he can now deal with scary things and was a gem today.

I just love him. The sweetest and nicest person ever. I have started popping him over little fences out of trot and on the lunge to get him using his body and he has done a month of basic fitness. Will start getting him out and about a bit more now I know the basics are in place.

He gets the saddler this week as been borrowing a saddle for him as my M Equipe is far too big. I need to measure him for rugs as well as think 6’9 might swamp him! View attachment 98902

He is gorgeous! Maybe a 6’6 he is a nice boy, cant beat a tb’ hes getting some nice chest and neck muscle too

 

[AandK]

Lovely to hear the progress LEC and TheMule!

My guy is doing really well so far coming back after his ulcer treatment. He's back hacking out, faultless as always! And I'm doing a little bit of ridden work in the school with him now too, just walk and trot and he is feeling so good, better than ever! Fingers crossed it continues...

 

[Carrottom]

Re rug size - mine have all been 6'3". That is 15.2 up to 17 hands. The tall one does have a short back though.

 

[criso]

Current finer 16 2 is 6'3" but he also has 6'6"s from a chunkier 16 2 with big shoulders.

 

[LEC]

Here he is today - I think eventually he will do a nice dressage test. I had just cantered him up and down the field to find out what happened so a bit buzzy but he will learn to let go quicker and relax. I have lost a lot of core strength due to my health so it says a lot that the ex racer is safer than the Warmblood who I can’t do stuff like that with at the moment. I dare not canter the Warmblood in an open field as she is spooky and bucks. I would just be off.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiIix6Oo7Ua/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

[Barton Bounty]

He looks very willing and sweet ?

 

[J_sarahd]

Nova has been having a couple of weeks off as she’d done a lot and she’s only 3.(Someone on the yard was questioning why I was giving her time off and not just getting on with it… *sigh*). We had a little yard show the other week and I thought I’d enter her into the poles on the floor in-hand. She was great, except for when faced with the water tray and tarp. But it’s given me things to mess about with when she’s back in work. I’m a bit worried she’s going to be difficult to jump as she isn’t very brave - but then again, she’s only 3 and hasn’t seen a lot of things like water trays or tarpaulin!

I also need to pose a question to this thread. What do people expect 3 year old “ex racers” to be doing? I had a bit of a moment the other day as I saw a friend of a friend whose 3 year old ex racer was already jumping cross poles under saddle and doing prelim dressage. And a local dressage rider has a 3 year old who is already starting dressage moves. Nova can walk, trot and canter in the school (though I haven’t cantered her since getting her as it’s a very unbalanced canter) but has mainly been long-lining, in-hand poles and hacking. Am I going too slow? I know every horse is different but I just had a moment

 

[RachelFerd]

Nova has been having a couple of weeks off as she’d done a lot and she’s only 3.(Someone on the yard was questioning why I was giving her time off and not just getting on with it… *sigh*). We had a little yard show the other week and I thought I’d enter her into the poles on the floor in-hand. She was great, except for when faced with the water tray and tarp. But it’s given me things to mess about with when she’s back in work. I’m a bit worried she’s going to be difficult to jump as she isn’t very brave - but then again, she’s only 3 and hasn’t seen a lot of things like water trays or tarpaulin!

I also need to pose a question to this thread. What do people expect 3 year old “ex racers” to be doing? I had a bit of a moment the other day as I saw a friend of a friend whose 3 year old ex racer was already jumping cross poles under saddle and doing prelim dressage. And a local dressage rider has a 3 year old who is already starting dressage moves. Nova can walk, trot and canter in the school (though I haven’t cantered her since getting her as it’s a very unbalanced canter) but has mainly been long-lining, in-hand poles and hacking. Am I going too slow? I know every horse is different but I just had a moment

It sounds like you're doing just fine - 3 is too young to want to be doing anything intently focussed. Certainly not a prelim dressage test - the rules of most competitions should limit any horse under 4 taking part anyway.

Lots of bits of low-stress education and plenty of time off too is all you need to be doing with a 3yo. You'll be ready to do a bit more work next Spring as a 4yo.

 

[humblepie]

Definitely no rush with your three year old. Just basic education and life experience. That said mine was 8 when he finished racing and my other at 5 so no real life knowledge! Time spent on basics never wasted though see far too many horses of all types rushed because at the early stage they can but it becomes unstuck later. Sounds very exciting. My no longer with us one would never walk over over a pole but won BE and became a top show horse so wouldn’t be worrying about braveness re the tarp etc. Sounds just confidence building.