After Racing: Retraining Thoroughbreds

Just a quick post to share a couple photos and say that JC was a superstar today. I rode him and it was a total non-event. Yes, of course he has regular race horse steering and balance issues. But, he's extremely willing and VERY quick to catch on to what I want him to do. A super sweetheart!

I'm am thoroughly impressed with JC. Not only is he well built, but he has a great mind. I decided to actually do some work with him yesterday. I started out with a lunge line. He picked up on lunging very quickly. I think someone may have done some natural horsemanship type lunging with him because he understood to go the direction I pointed and to halt when I pulled on the line and said "Ho." In general, he was w/t/c on the lunge, both directions, in about 10 minutes. And the best part, he never once tugged on the lunge line or used it for balance. He just stayed out at the end of the line and went around me. His trot was rushed and his canter was very quick and unbalanced, but he was willing to do whatever I asked in both directions.

So because he figured that out so quickly, I added sliding sidereins to the equation. I figured he could actually do some work if he already understood lunging. These were just no big deal. At first he bumped his mouth trying to pick up his head, but very quickly figured out that it was most comfortable to go around with his head stretching down and out. Pretty soon, his trot slowed down to a real nice rhythm and his stride lengthened. I could see his topline muscles working on the top of his neck and along his back. He looked GREAT! I was thrilled with how quickly he picked this up, especially for being 2 days off the track.

After lunging for about 25 minutes, I decided to move on to something else. One of the best things I ever taught my mare to do was to come to me at the mounting block and stand for mounting. I can get on the mounting block (or truck tailgate, or log, etc.) with her pointed in any direction and she will sort of parallel park herself into place so that I can get on her. Its pretty cool, not to mention very helpful. So I decided to work on this with JC. It starts by finding out how they react to a riding whip (I used a dressage whip). He was a little nervous about it, but I rubbed him all over his body with the whip and praised him every time he chewed or took a deep breath. Pretty soon it wasn't a big deal to tap him with the whip.

At that point, I started having him move away from the whip at whatever point I touched him. This is really key to teaching them to move towards you on the mounting block because you might need to tap the outside hip and have it move towards you. He quickly figured out this game as well and I had him yielding to the whip in any direction in the arena. He is such a smart fella!!!

So then I got on the small mounting block and had him move around me. I then quit driving him around me and waited for him to stop. He did and then I praised the heck out him. We did this a few times and then I worked on getting him to step up to the mounting block. It wasn't too long before I could get him into position so that I could have mounted had he been tacked up. He stood patiently while I rubbed him all over and praised him.

I said it above, but I'll say it again now. I'm REALLY impressed with this young gelding. He really aims to please and is a very quick learner. With some consistent work, he will make someone an awesome riding horse!

So the vet was out yesterday to give the horses a basic exam and see where they are after coming off the track. She looked at JC first. He was a very good boy and stood quietly during the exam. He also trotted along side me needing little persuasion so that the vet could see him go. The vet really likes him and mentioned that he was one of the nicer horses to come through the FFI program. He was declared sound and could begin light riding. The vet did mention though that although JC is tattooed an papered as a 2004 -- which would make him 4 1/2 years old, his teeth say otherwise. His 4 1/2 year old teeth haven't yet come in, which made the vet think he is only 3 1/2 years old. We're going to keep an eye on his mouth and see what developes. He may just pop those teeth later than normal.

Roman was seen second and he was a bit more on edge. After some discussion, we think he may have been given Equipoise at the track, so it may be a while before he's back to himself. At any rate, he is sore on both the left front and the right hind. The right hind is sort of a given with track horses since it is the leg that does the most work -- in the left lead, they push off of it the most. However, the vet couldn't find any reason why the left front is sore (no heat). There is an old splint that was popped some time ago, but its not warm. Roman is approved for turnout, but no work. We're going to give him a month or so to see how he does on his left front.

Both horses will have their shoes pulled tomorrow.

JC was approved to head to a dressage clinic with me on Friday. I'm looking forward to working with him there and seeing how he does. It may be his first post-race ride.

I'm excited to offer a huge welcome to two new FFI horses: Roman and JC. Both of these horses are considered part of "Tony's ExRacers" which means that they are being funded by a $20,000 grant received by Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. from the Tony Stewart Foundation. I don't have great pictures of either right now, although I'm planning to take some today. Here is the scoop on both:

Roman (registered name Shedroe Warrior)
2004 Chestnut Gelding
Roman is a bright coppery red with a white star. He was fairly anxious yesterday about arriving to the knew barn and seems to be quite full of himself. I think his let down period will take a little longer and I'm interested to see what type of personality he really has once he lets down his guard. He has decent enough conformation. He is a more compact type with thicker body and neck. My guess is that he stands about 15.2 - 15.3h. I haven't had the chance to really do much of anything with him, so I'm looking forward to getting to know him.

JC (registered name Jimmy Kool)
2004 Bay Gelding
I don't know much about JC either, but he seems to be a very sweet guy. He is plain bay with no white markings, but he makes up for his plain coat patterns with a very regal presence. He has a beautiful, refined head and very nice conformation. He was also very willing to please, entered the barn quietly, although was a little looky at thing. He lead easily without a chain and stood quietly for blanketing.

The vet is coming today to check them both out. I'm looking forward to hearing what she has to say about them. Pictures will follow!