Bringing back an older horse?

HorseCraze120 · 05-11-2008, 03:21 PM

The new guy I'm leasing, He is a 13 year old TB. He is an off the track thoroughbred, who wasn't even gelded until he was 8. He also raced until he was 8. Over the past 2 years, he's been ridden about 5 times. He is quite a high-strong horse, that does have alot of energy. I want to bring him back slowly into work, and just start with the basics first. The couple of times I've ridden him , he improves nicely. He'll even put his head in a frame on the buckle and trot around like that.

I need some suggestions though bringing him back slowly. Like I know alot of transitions, cirlces, hill work will also help build up muscle. He ins't bothered by any leg, and won't take off, buck or rear or anything liek that. He is just very "chompey" at the bit, and just wants to go go go. He needs to learn to relax more. I dont want to lunge him because he just gets more worked up, it doesnt do anything for him.

Any other suggestions would be great? Thanks

justsampson · 05-11-2008, 06:45 PM

Do you have anywhere to trail ride with a safe quiet partner? My TB can get highstrung but being on the trail relaxes him- just make sure you have a quiet horse for him to ride with. It's a great workout as long as he is broke (not racehorse broke) and you have control of him.

HorseCraze120 · 05-11-2008, 07:06 PM

Thank you for the suggestion. I will trail ride him, I just dont beielve he is ready for the right now. Maybe once I start getting him back into work!

Xiphias · 05-11-2008, 07:59 PM

Lots of slow work in the ring, serpintines (sp?) circles in the corners, circles off the rail, figure eights going through the center of the ring...I would not even work on cantering, till he is relaxed and listening at the trot....and walk...and knows what whoa is, the word, and the rein action for whoa....you might want to use a flash or figure eight nose band on him, to keep his mouth shut, alot of x-race horses are used to having their tongues tied, and will hang their tongues out when on the bit...good luck...

Cathy

HorseCraze120 · 05-12-2008, 05:23 AM

Thanks for the suggestion! The first time I tried him out I cantered him, to just see what he would do, he was acutally very relaxed LOL! He's a very different horse. I will def. be using a Flash on him to help with that (his tongue). And for the first many rides like the last 2 rides, it will be strictly w/t.

05-11-2008, 03:21 PM	#1
HorseCraze120 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10,187 Images: 394 Blog Entries: 4	Bringing back an older horse? The new guy I'm leasing, He is a 13 year old TB. He is an off the track thoroughbred, who wasn't even gelded until he was 8. He also raced until he was 8. Over the past 2 years, he's been ridden about 5 times. He is quite a high-strong horse, that does have alot of energy. I want to bring him back slowly into work, and just start with the basics first. The couple of times I've ridden him , he improves nicely. He'll even put his head in a frame on the buckle and trot around like that. I need some suggestions though bringing him back slowly. Like I know alot of transitions, cirlces, hill work will also help build up muscle. He ins't bothered by any leg, and won't take off, buck or rear or anything liek that. He is just very "chompey" at the bit, and just wants to go go go. He needs to learn to relax more. I dont want to lunge him because he just gets more worked up, it doesnt do anything for him. Any other suggestions would be great? Thanks __________________ Ashley Flash<3 RIP Sebastian and Rules my boys & in my heart forever <3

05-11-2008, 07:06 PM	#3
HorseCraze120 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10,187 Images: 394 Blog Entries: 4	Thank you for the suggestion. I will trail ride him, I just dont beielve he is ready for the right now. Maybe once I start getting him back into work! __________________ Ashley Flash<3 RIP Sebastian and Rules my boys & in my heart forever <3

05-11-2008, 07:59 PM	#4
Xiphias Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maryland, horse country USA Posts: 15,908 Images: 627 Blog Entries: 29	Lots of slow work in the ring, serpintines (sp?) circles in the corners, circles off the rail, figure eights going through the center of the ring...I would not even work on cantering, till he is relaxed and listening at the trot....and walk...and knows what whoa is, the word, and the rein action for whoa....you might want to use a flash or figure eight nose band on him, to keep his mouth shut, alot of x-race horses are used to having their tongues tied, and will hang their tongues out when on the bit...good luck... Cathy __________________ Member COL Club- hand over the Oil of Olay and nobody gets hurt! Hopeless HGS Addict http://www.freewebs.com/xiphias21034/ I was on HGS the day we made 2 million posts

05-12-2008, 05:23 AM	#5
HorseCraze120 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10,187 Images: 394 Blog Entries: 4	Thanks for the suggestion! The first time I tried him out I cantered him, to just see what he would do, he was acutally very relaxed LOL! He's a very different horse. I will def. be using a Flash on him to help with that (his tongue). And for the first many rides like the last 2 rides, it will be strictly w/t. __________________ Ashley Flash<3 RIP Sebastian and Rules my boys & in my heart forever <3

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05-11-2008, 06:45 PM	#2
justsampson Full Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 52 Images: 14	Do you have anywhere to trail ride with a safe quiet partner? My TB can get highstrung but being on the trail relaxes him- just make sure you have a quiet horse for him to ride with. It's a great workout as long as he is broke (not racehorse broke) and you have control of him.