A question from Debbie, Berkshire.
Hi Melanie. I am 40 yrs old and have been riding since aged 5 yrs, I have had a 5 yr break to have my kids and bought an ex racehorse in September this yr. He’s adorable, 23 races and retired 3 yrs ago with a tendon injury. He’s quite well mannered but has a few problems and I am scared of doing the wrong thing, so wondered if you could advise me a little.
Putting the bridle on is a problem, I have to bribe him with a polo mint to bring his head down he throws his head really high and threatens to rear up.
I have ridden him approx 3 times per wk up until about 2 wks ago, due to bad weather and my kids being poorly, so he wont get much riding over the Christmas period until kids back at school. He is stabled and I put him on the walker once a week and he has 1/2 hr run in the field and maybe 1 session lunge work per week at the moment. He throws his head a lot even when I ride him and when I watch back his races on the track he also did this, he is in a snaffle and no extras. He is stubborn, he pretends he doesn’t know how to walk or trot, we have tried following another horse in the school, it helped a bit, but I cant get him to canter!
I have been doing natural horsemanship with him, so lots on the ground, he follows me, and sometimes charges at me and stops at the last minute a bit scary…. I haven’t ridden him out on the road yet, as I am a bit concerned that he and me are not ready, I also think I may need a stronger bit. I don’t know if you can help I was looking at your courses but in Newbury Berks – along way from you. Do you have any advice or maybe a training planner I can use, so I have goals and targets that I need to achieve with him. My aim is to dressage him, as when he does trot he is lovely and bouncy, he is 8 yrs old. Any help would be much appreciated
Thank you, Debbie
Melanie’s Response:
Hello Debbie. Thank you for your email. I have lots of ideas to help you…too much to put down on here.
Please give me a ring on 07720758425 anytime and I will be very happy to talk you through a training plan. All that you are experiencing is very common to the type and his past life.
Please do not put a stronger bit in him. He is already in fear of his mouth. There is much I can help you do.
Speak soon. Kind regards Melanie.
(ps. read through my blog posts… there is a lot on the subject of help with ex racers.)
This blog was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009
