After Racing: Retraining Thoroughbreds

Here is a new video of JC from a clinic I rode him in on Saturday 12/13. The purpose is just to show his way of going and how very laid back he is. He ground ties and is just super well behaved. I think he would be perfect for either an experienced rider that wanted to bring a young horse along (pick your discipline). However, I also think he would be fine with a novice rider that had regular instruction to help bring him along. His temperament is quiet enough for a novice.

I am really thrilled with JC's progress under saddle. He is really starting to understand that when I put my inside leg on, he should stretch down into contact. He also is more than willing to carry himself and lift his back. He is usually good doing so for about 5-6 strides at a time. We're working on figure 8s and he is about 50/50 on being able to stay soft and round through the change of bend. Usually though, it is my fault that he doesn't stay connected as I forget to support him. He remains extremely willing as well as very soft and light in the bridle. Every once in a while he falls out of balance and becomes heavy and stiff. But really, he tries so very hard to do what I ask and I simply can't ask for much more than that at this point. I'm extremely pleased with his progress under saddle. If he is still around (and the weather cooperates) I'm thinking about entering him in the Come Again Farms dressage schooling show in January (intro level).

I have also started lunging him at the canter in the arena. My indoor is fairly small (about 15 meters wide), which is pretty tight for a horse that is used to the big sweeping corners of a race track. For this reason, I haven't asked for the canter under saddle yet. I really don't think that stopping him will be the issue. Rather, he is still figuring out how to canter on the 15m lunging circle, so until he can canter in a somewhat balanced state on the lunge, I'm not going to ask him to do it under saddle. Perhaps if we ride at a larger arena, we'll ask for the "C" word under saddle.

Here are some recent photos of him:

I am happy to announce that Storm Cellar (aka Stormy) has a wonderful volunteer that is coming out to ride him. He needs some long and low work to help strengthen his back and hind end. The volunteer's name is Erin and she is a good rider who is very enthusiastic about riding Stormy and helping him improve. We're hoping that the winter is somewhat mild so that we can get out to do Stormy's favorite activity: trail ride.

Here are Erin & Stormy:

I think Roman has finally decided that he's pretty much at a good place. His whole demeanor has changed in the last couple of weeks. He seems to be quite a smart boy and can size people up very quickly. He is also looking for a buddy. He just wants someone to join up with. In fact, he's quite a sweetheart. I've determined that he can stand quietly in cross ties as well.

He and Stormy are both the bottom of the pecking order in the turnout group they're in, so they have decided that being friends is better than fending for themselves. I'm glad that they have each other.

I haven't been doing very much with Roman in regards to training because he is still so very sore and stiff on the right hind. That is to be expected just two weeks out of racing. I have been massaging the muscles in his right hind and his left fore. This really seems to help him. And he really enjoys it as well. He knows he's not supposed to bite or nibble, but he reaches his head around toward me (when I'm working on his shoulder especially) and his lips quiver as though he wants to groom me. Its pretty cute.

I think turnout is going to be essential for him as well. He's even more stiff in the morning when he gets turned out, but moves quite a bit better by the end of the day when he's been out moving around on it. I'm sure the cold weather doesn't help at all. The true test will be this spring/summer when it warms up and the horses are out all night long.

So anyhow, I also stuck him on the lunge line last night just to see what he knows. He understood about going out to the end of the lunge line and understood to try and trot. He is still very weak (or at least sore) in the hind end and its obvious on the lunge line. However, there has been tremendous improvement in his gait since he arrived and I think that is a good start. I'll continue to massage the muscle and work him very lightly on the lunge line to help him figure out some balance.

I sure am enjoying watching him come out of his shell. He really is a good guy.