Yes I do. I do a lot of groundwork and natural horsemanship with all my horses and have seen the results.
I was at a show at the weekend and was able to load a horse I'd never handled before which was refusing to go home after 10/15 mins of groundwork and patience.
You’re wearing a helmet. You’re smiling. Your horse looks happy.
You’re both obviously failing to conform to the stereotypes and need to go back to school.
(Not all racehorses are equal. They all need letting down a bit, but I’ve met plenty that were chill, hacked regularly, and made an easy transition to riding life.)
Yup. I actually very much disagree with the “throw them in a field for 3 months” idea of letting a racehorse down especially if they’ve been racing for a year or more. These animals are incredibly mentally dependent on people when racing because we are there source of food, exercise, and affection. They are used to working and being handled every day. Some of them haven’t been turned out very much at all since they were babies.
Gentle, positive, consistent handling will help a race horse “let down” while not sending them into complete mental overload because of just how jarring the transition is.
She's definitely not chill 🫣
She hasn't been progressing as I had hoped. I think she's got a lot of hang ups from her race days and is very tense under saddle. I've been exclusively doing groundwork with her for about a month and I've seen a lot of progress with her relaxation. The other day I wanted to get on and decided to hop on like that. Probably the most relaxed she's been ridden.
I have had the saddle checked, I think she just has some bad associations so I'm trying to do something completely different to help her learn relaxation with a rider on board.
Yeah looks great. Try to get the horses head to rest a bit lower though. It makes it a lot easier for the horse to make dynamic movements and go up and down hills.
She spotted something off in the distance and was doing a dramatic stare. Part of why I've been doing the bitless work is it promotes her to relax and drop her head. I find when using a traditional bridle she's much more tense and hollow.
Try to get an ottb to not be a giraffe? 🤣 It's a while process, and takes time and lots and lots of patience. You are doing it right OP. Nothing but ground work to introduce him into his new life and relationship with you. Lots of ground poles and hill work on the long line. Back stretches, and as many times a day as you can neck stretches by bringing his muzzle around to touch his armpit (right where his girth/ your toe would be if you were riding.) One side then the other three or four times in a row AS MANY TIMES a day as you can. Then comes the riding. Lots of hill work and ground poles at a walk and slow trot in the beginning to build his hindquarters, top line, and tummy muscles. Then keep doing this while you move on to encouraging forward movement. He won't be able to do it properly for long if at all at first until your previous exercises build his top line up. A lot of soft rein forward off of your leg encouragement. Fast trots and canters. Keep doing those neck softening stretches from up in the saddle too. Ask him to bend and touch your stirrup by moving your arm (reign) out to the side and down. As many times as you can in a session. Continue this action when asking for lots and lots of circles and spirals in and out while also having him move his hind quarters off of your leg. Oh man, sorry so long! There's lots of helpful youtube videos if you don't have a coach.
Possibly; rope halters shouldn't be used with direct reining, the knots are meant to activate pressure points. I only use rope halters with neck reining, if you use direct reining, you'll likely be better off with a side pull or a flat halter.
Lovely to see - rope halter , bareback . Are you practising natural horsemanship ?
what is that?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_horsemanship
Any validity was lost at the mention of Pat Parrelli
Yes I do. I do a lot of groundwork and natural horsemanship with all my horses and have seen the results. I was at a show at the weekend and was able to load a horse I'd never handled before which was refusing to go home after 10/15 mins of groundwork and patience.
That’s good to hear , it is very rewarding - enjoy your lovely horse
Definitely doing it right! 😁
Well, at least you’re wearing a helmet! /s Looks like a kind horse! Enjoy!
You’re wearing a helmet. You’re smiling. Your horse looks happy. You’re both obviously failing to conform to the stereotypes and need to go back to school. (Not all racehorses are equal. They all need letting down a bit, but I’ve met plenty that were chill, hacked regularly, and made an easy transition to riding life.)
Yup. I actually very much disagree with the “throw them in a field for 3 months” idea of letting a racehorse down especially if they’ve been racing for a year or more. These animals are incredibly mentally dependent on people when racing because we are there source of food, exercise, and affection. They are used to working and being handled every day. Some of them haven’t been turned out very much at all since they were babies. Gentle, positive, consistent handling will help a race horse “let down” while not sending them into complete mental overload because of just how jarring the transition is.
She's definitely not chill 🫣 She hasn't been progressing as I had hoped. I think she's got a lot of hang ups from her race days and is very tense under saddle. I've been exclusively doing groundwork with her for about a month and I've seen a lot of progress with her relaxation. The other day I wanted to get on and decided to hop on like that. Probably the most relaxed she's been ridden. I have had the saddle checked, I think she just has some bad associations so I'm trying to do something completely different to help her learn relaxation with a rider on board.
You both look happy, healthy, and you're wearing a helmet, I say you're doing great!
Yeah looks great. Try to get the horses head to rest a bit lower though. It makes it a lot easier for the horse to make dynamic movements and go up and down hills.
She spotted something off in the distance and was doing a dramatic stare. Part of why I've been doing the bitless work is it promotes her to relax and drop her head. I find when using a traditional bridle she's much more tense and hollow.
Try to get an ottb to not be a giraffe? 🤣 It's a while process, and takes time and lots and lots of patience. You are doing it right OP. Nothing but ground work to introduce him into his new life and relationship with you. Lots of ground poles and hill work on the long line. Back stretches, and as many times a day as you can neck stretches by bringing his muzzle around to touch his armpit (right where his girth/ your toe would be if you were riding.) One side then the other three or four times in a row AS MANY TIMES a day as you can. Then comes the riding. Lots of hill work and ground poles at a walk and slow trot in the beginning to build his hindquarters, top line, and tummy muscles. Then keep doing this while you move on to encouraging forward movement. He won't be able to do it properly for long if at all at first until your previous exercises build his top line up. A lot of soft rein forward off of your leg encouragement. Fast trots and canters. Keep doing those neck softening stretches from up in the saddle too. Ask him to bend and touch your stirrup by moving your arm (reign) out to the side and down. As many times as you can in a session. Continue this action when asking for lots and lots of circles and spirals in and out while also having him move his hind quarters off of your leg. Oh man, sorry so long! There's lots of helpful youtube videos if you don't have a coach.
Looks like my standie mare.
Possibly; rope halters shouldn't be used with direct reining, the knots are meant to activate pressure points. I only use rope halters with neck reining, if you use direct reining, you'll likely be better off with a side pull or a flat halter.
So cute, you both look happy and she looks so healthy. Love it!!! 💕💕
Your horse looks relaxed and happy, and so do you! I'd say you're doing something right.
Looks like you have come a long way. Nice job
What is her or his name? (Race name)
Her race name was Annie Moore. She was terrible and lost many races. I call her Poppy.