Youngster - help please

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rachmacypixie111

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Hi - I look after (full time) an 18month old TB colt - well bred for racing. The owner bought him at the foal sales and this little man was lucky enough to have an owner with stables and me to care for him (the owner is not a horsey person - a business man who wanted a racehorse but with alot more empathy than most in his situation! And he helps look after him and has learnt all the basics - nice to see somebody like this, not just the usual owner that turns up at the races!!!) He has had a great start to life - well handled and cared for at a family home with his little welsh A comapanion.

He is an absolute star - so laid back and doesnt put a foot wrong!

Anyway - going off the subject!! A top racing guy came to see him a couple of weeks ago and said he looked great and I should start the basics with him as it will ease the stress when he goes to his trainer in October. I have taken him in the menage 3 times now just for about 4 mins on each rein and getting him going forward in walk - he has not gone too far away from me yet as he is a baby and still trying to understand. I have backed horses before but not a top TB!

Just genaral advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers guys!
 
Well done for getting him that far.

Never backed a TB for racing but as stupid as it seems, think about all the bad things that come with a ex-racehorse and why. Such as the gait, the idea that there are no brakes and all :P ... remember most of all never to have the horse slow and steady, it's not needed. It's a simple thing that might make a lot of difference. :)

Best of luck though, hope you keep us all updated and i am interested.
 
sitch said:
Well done for getting him that far.

Never backed a TB for racing but as stupid as it seems, think about all the bad things that come with a ex-racehorse and why. Such as the gait, the idea that there are no brakes and all :P ... remember most of all never to have the horse slow and steady, it's not needed. It's a simple thing that might make a lot of difference. :)

Best of luck though, hope you keep us all updated and i am interested.
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Thanks - I will do! I am trying to take it slow, he is a baby afterall - but if I can (as a person he knows and trusts) get him through the basics I hope he wont get too stressed when he goes to the trainer?

Most horses I have backed just took the lunge straight away but with him I think it will take longer - he cant even trot!! Not that I have tried a trot on the lunge yet but when leading him into trot it proves difficult!
 
Most trainers have their own ways of starting yearlings.I would not do too much with him,make sure he is generally good to handle used to wearing a rug and roller and a bridle.
Walk him out in hand to build up his fitness,most of the yearlings that go through the sales are very fit from inhand work, if you lead him from both sides that would help him get ready for lunging.
Try and get him as independent as possible.
 
Just don't forget you need him to be forward going at all times, but never of his own accord. An ex racehorse I knew, straight out of training couldn't trot to save his life. Just remember it doesn't matter. Gentle schooling is fine, but he never needs to be brilliant.

I have loadsa other ideas, but I don't want to write a massive long post and take up your thread :D
 
be positive said:
Most trainers have their own ways of starting yearlings.I would not do too much with him,make sure he is generally good to handle used to wearing a rug and roller and a bridle.
Walk him out in hand to build up his fitness,most of the yearlings that go through the sales are very fit from inhand work, if you lead him from both sides that would help him get ready for lunging.
Try and get him as independent as possible.
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Hill work! :D I'm lucky where I stable, I have an ex race horse and we're close to some unused gallops, 80% up hill where I go to build up fitness. Went today, minute his hoof touched it, he danced until I let him go!
 
be positive said:
Most trainers have their own ways of starting yearlings.I would not do too much with him,make sure he is generally good to handle used to wearing a rug and roller and a bridle.
Walk him out in hand to build up his fitness,most of the yearlings that go through the sales are very fit from inhand work, if you lead him from both sides that would help him get ready for lunging.
Try and get him as independent as possible.
Click to expand...

I agree totally and was not thinking of doing too much, he wears rugs fine - a roller and bridle yet to be introduced (what bit would you suggest)
but with his temperament it shouldnt be a problem- just basically getting him to lunge in walk and maybe a little trot is fine - I only want my man to be comfatable with other people doing this.
I will take your advice and do the inhand work - he is very dependent on me so will try and get away from this!
Many Thanks!
 
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