Those with Ex racers - reschooling - lunging.

[ellieplatt]

I bought my first ex racehorse this week, and he's a dream. Planning on reschooling him and hoping to Event/SJ as he's got a lovely scopey (loose) jump and excellent paces.

Just wondered how everyone went about teaching them to lunge? I took him in the school yesterday for a little play around, he was quite willing to follow me about and trott after me.
He trotted on the lunge on one rein, then the other he was alittle confused, and the same slowing him into a walk.

I know he's not going to understand straight away, and he's got lots of learning and schooling to go yet, i've got plenty of time for him and i'm sympathetic ect. But was just looking for other stories about people and the methods they used, how successful they were, which worked best ect. He's alittle older than most to reschool, he's 9 this year and has retired from racing just because he's to nice for it and doesn't have the typical 'racehorse' personality or character about him, although he has got lots of winnings

Like I said this is my first ex racer, i've had a few TB x's but they had had a little done before I got them to school them and go on to compete.

This is my first blank canvas and am really excited ! Everyone has to start somewhere though ay!

He's a 16.1 Liver Chestnut, If someone tells me I can post a pic of him on here if you like, just so everyone can see how handsome he is

 

[McNally]

Mine was very much like that on the lunge (and to ride) he was ok one side but very very bent. It came with practice and repetitiveness.
I mainly worked on it out on the roads hacking. It was October when i got him and we didnt have a school so i was limited as to the schooling i could do.
He used to go everywhere sideways with his head in my face! Lots of bending to the right and stacks of praise when he was straight.
Also i would say get his back done as they are prone to sore backs esp straight out of racing.
Sadly mine had to be rehomed just recently as he was too unpredictable to ride out with my daughter on her youngster. But i had fun (and hell!) in the 4 years i had him- he was a great horse.
I am looking to get another one this summer (but its a much much calmer level headed horse!)

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Holly Hocks]

Mine was very much like that on the lunge (and to ride) he was ok one side but very very bent. It came with practice and repetitiveness.
I mainly worked on it out on the roads hacking. It was October when i got him and we didnt have a school so i was limited as to the schooling i could do.
He used to go everywhere sideways with his head in my face! Lots of bending to the right and stacks of praise when he was straight.
Also i would say get his back done as they are prone to sore backs esp straight out of racing.
Sadly mine had to be rehomed just recently as he was too unpredictable to ride out with my daughter on her youngster. But i had fun (and hell!) in the 4 years i had him- he was a great horse.
I am looking to get another one this summer (but its a much much calmer level headed horse!)

Good luck and have fun!

Agree with above - lots of hacking out is how I reschooled mine. I bought my most recent one last April and after about ten times of sitting on her, she got ill and has spent most of the time since then in hospital. I'm just in the process of starting her again. I started by her doing the walker for 6 weeks, then long reining her out on the roads for a couple of weeks and then got on board and started road work last week and this morning she hacked on her own along a busy 60mph main road (only for about 200yrds admittedly) and this horse had NEVER been on the roads before I bought her. She knew only field, stable and gallops. I think hacking really gets their heads in order. However I would advise that you go out with someone else first!! I appear to just have been incredibly lucky with my girl. I also find that out hacking, I can do lots of walk/halt transitions while using my voice, which will help when she goes and works on the lunge.
Good luck and enjoy!