Riding Out Racehorses

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charlie26

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Hello,
Was just wondering if anyone had any advice please...next weekend I am going to be riding out racehorses for a local flat trainer for the first time. Although I have ridden since I was three years old and am a confident rider, I am slightly concerned that I will be out of my depth with TB racehorses. Has anyone ridden out before? I have been told I will be put on a sensible one to start with but what does this mean in TB terms? I'm presuming it is very different to the sort of 'sensible' horses I have ridden previously!
Any advice would be much appreciated as I really do not know what to expect.
Thanks.
 
its not as bad as people (normally those who aren't in the know) make out!

i started work riding when I was 14 and got on just fine

they will put you on something that knows what its doing first to judge your ability and then the skys the limit!!!

its not in their interest to have people falling off everywhere as it puts their horses (read livelihood) at risk!

(its the only career where i would have ever been able to sit on a £150k horse- an amazing feeling!!!)
 
I havnt ridden any out whilst in racing but have ridden out a few ex racers early in there careers. When hacking out TBs tend to be quite good as they are used to it as its part of there routine. A sensible one means just that, not likely to throw a paddy and probably doesnt dance around quite as much. Ino the ones iv ridden when in a group have tended to jog quite a lot at first before they settle. My advice is talk to the horse lots and stroke there neck whilst keeping your hands low down by the saddle especially if they do anything like shoot forward dont lift your hands to stop them keep your hands by the saddle or you can escalate the problem!
Good luck sure youll have a great time!!
 
I'm sure it will be quite a sensible horse, I was never put on anything mad when I first rode out doing Work Experience :) As with any horse just expect the unexpected because at the end of the day you are riding fit, well horses. Enjoy it, it's a fantastic experience!!! :D
 
Thank you for the replies, some really good advice there :-) I think I just started to panic myself after hearing a few horror stories about bad falls, horses bolting etc. Of course I know this can happen on any horse but a few people I have spoken to have said these sorts of things are bound to happen on racehorses which has worried me slightly!
Thanks again, I'm looking forward to it a lot now :-)
 
Do you know how to bridge your reins? so that you can then put your knuckles into the horses neck if it does bolt? Thats a good way to stop them as you anchor your hands down low and the horse cant pull you forwards out of balance. If it has a neck strap on that can be used aswell to pull them up!
 
Have no fear, the trainer will make sure you don't damage his horses.
Just forget about riding flat jockey style, these guys have been riding for a lifetime, and are experts, also they don't ride as short at home as on racecourse.
You will dangle your legs and then set the stirrups at a comfortable height, it is more important to have control, maybe the height you would use cross country.
To ensure stirrups are even, stand up in the saddle. look down and wiggle from side to side till you are central, tighten girths.
When you progress to trotting and cantering you shorten stirrups one hole for trot and two for canter before you get to the bottom of the gallops. Check girth for tightness.
The trainer may leg you up at the walk, look over the stable door to check if they are going anti-clockwise, then lead your horse out and past the trainer with one leg in the air [lol] who will leg you up at the walk, he have a very firm grip on your calf, there will be no1-2-3!,will not let you go or let the horse go either, so don't worry.
You need to make sure saddle has not slipped back before you leave the yard, if in doubt ask. Make sure all the buckles on the bridle are fastened properly before you mount.
If the head lad does not take you under his wing, and saddle up for you, I would be surprised. There is usually one poly pad then a saddle and a martingale, [the neckstrap is your life saver when you progress to lively types] Some horses need boots, there will be a list to check in the tack room.
Clothes... don't take a whip, get a skull cap as we don't want you to look like a pony club person [ask trainer or his secretary if you will get one at the yard or if you need to buy one]
Boots.. leather, you MUST wear breeches and chaps if you don't have long boots. A blouson jacket style NOT a hacking jacket.
Gloves are essential , nothing flashy, just wear what you have got, else make sure they don't look new either [lol]
Before you go learn to bridge the reins as this is the main difference between BHS and racing riding.
See my posts about training racehorses.
 
I used to ride out at Market rasen one word of warning which they did not tell me is..... Don't assume it will be one horse, 5 horses one after the other and I was walking like John Wayne lol

Have a great time
 
MrsD123 - thank you very much. Your advice is invaluable and I appreciate your tips on what to wear. I didn't want to ask as I thought it might make me look like a complete amateur! You have answered all of my questions in your post so thanks.

Dizzydancer - I know how to bridge my reins but haven't done it very often, perhaps twice. I will brush up on this before Saturday. Thanks for your advice.
 
After riding out a few of a friends P2P'ers in training I'd much rather ride them than my lunatic cob at times!! Fast yes but such sweet manners and very polite horses!! Only time I had a sweat on was when one horse decided he liked the look of the training fences...even though I was only supposed to be doing flat work with him...never seen a middle aged woman get off a tall skinny horse so fast believe me!! Trainer thought it was hysterical, told me I should of just gone with it...yeah right I don't jump more than 90cm with my cob so I'm certainly not doing p2p jumps on a TB!!!!

Took me a while to get used to the different position (he insisted I rode in a racing saddle!!) but I found it very comfortable and surprisingly safe. Enjoy it's great fun!
 
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