[AnnaBelle02]

Yup thats the thing with STB's they can come off being kind of snotty but once you hang around them a few times and you gain their trust you have their trust for life and they will do anything for you - or as you say just plant themselves, nothing crazy and dangerous the way some breeds lash out.

When my mare spooks she just kind of scoots her butt under herself and take a couple steps to the side then plants her feet. A lot of my friend's STB's do like cat spooks - you know just srawl out all fours with kind of a hop and stand fixed! They are a breed that tends to think pretty logically, thats what makes them great family horses.

God I love STB's! (and this thread! lol)

[Asfaloth]

Fantastic rides on Baby this week!
I have been out early every morning for long trail rides and she is so great. Yesterday she took the canter as soon as I asked for it on a fairly level spot. Until now I only as her for canter on an uphill grade to encourage her to use her hind end.
This morning we were faxced with a creek crossing that had a 3 foot drop into a 4 foot wide stream. She decided to jump the widest spot! And made it with no problems. I have learned to just trust her and hold on when she decides she'd rather jump.
Every time I arrive to tack up she is eager to go for a ride and leads the pack the whole time. I do put her in diferent places in line to keep her from getting spoiled but mostly we are trail boss.
My friend and I take breaks on the ride so the horses can graze for 5-10 minuts about 2 times per ride but always make sure it is us that decides when to stop. We ride the horses in Hacamores so they can eat comfortabley.
Worked in the ring a littel as well on the weekend and the trot is improving.
I really do love this mare so much. What an awesome ride and she sure does turn heads when we head out.

[AnnaBelle02]

AWSOME Asfaloth!! Wish my STB mare and I could tag along with you guys (she love hacking as well - and also loves to be the trail boss! Except for on the way home where she does turtle speed, totally opposite of most of the horses who are frothing at the mouth and prancing the entire way back to the trailers...).

Aren't STB's just the BEST!!!???

[Asfaloth]

Baby is like that. On the way home the other horse race ahead and she keeps her normal pace or goes slow. On the way out though she leaves the other horses far behind. She gets lots of chances to graze while we wait for them to catch up.

It would be cool to ride togather but I can't trailer anywhere let alone Canada. Sold my truck and trailer years ago and can't afford a new one.

[buddiebreeze]

i would just like to say- Breeze is a standardbred and has been raced, alot of people say that they are ssssssssooooooooooooooooooo comfy to ride but when she comes out of canter, she paces really fast and it is very bouncey!i believe they do need an experienced rider to re-train them. From my experience i find them to be hardworking and very willing horses, with good manners and temprements to match, but they do need alot of work on re-schooling- unless you just gonna use them for hacking and fun! P.S they also make GREAT jumpers!

[Libby_Lover]

I LOVE standardbreds. Right now we have 4. My mom is an owner/trainer, and my dad is a driver, and helps my mom train. My dad (Bill Fahy, World Record Holder 1:47:3 - Jenna's Beach Boy) is in New Jersey racing one of our horses tonight, and my brother and my mom are at the track racing 2 others.

The many standardbreds I've had the chance to work with have shown so much intelligence and respect. Nothing like my riding horses. You can simply stand next to their leg and they will lift it up for you. I have to really work at it to get my palomino filly to pick her feet up. They have great personalities too! They are all so different!

[juxtposdbologna]

I think standardbreds are awesome. There are quite a few around here since harness racing is big in New Jersey. I have known two OTT standardbred geldings and they are really great horses. They are friendly and willing to please. One had to get used to cantering under saddle for a while, but nothing serious. Great horses.

[Libby_Lover]

New Jersey is FULL of Standardbreds. I lived there for 7 years before moving to Pennsylvania. My dad raced at Freehold and The Meadowlands. Now he races at the Meadows here in SW PA, and goes out to NJ every so often with Pokey & Alphie.

[Asfaloth]

Hi libby! I live quite near to Meaddowlands PA. I worked for a short time at the track as a vet tech for Dr. Betts.


I have never thought the pace was rough. The racing trot is prety uncomfortable but the pace is actually quite nice once you learn how to sit on it. STB's do learn to trot reasonably well and are great for posting on since their big strides launch you right out of the saddle. Baby is slowly learning to do a really good western jog that is quite comfortable.

AS for Just using them for hacking...
Well I am strictly a trail rider. I hate showing. That does not mean my horses are not schooled. I spend plently of time with them in a ring teaching them to bend and move their shoulders and haunches over as well as to collect. Sure you do need to know a little about training but STB's are easy to work with. I got my first STB when I was 13 and I trained him all by myself and he was my first horse. Sure there weere a lot of things I did not know to teach him and I made some mistakes, but I did teach him a lot on my own even how to gallop and sidepass. If I'd had resouces like the internet and John Lyons DVD's back then I could have learned to do so much more. I learned it in collage but I really do beleive that STB's are a great first horse and as long as the owner is willing to learn how and does the work they can suceed in making them into a great riding horse using the great tools available today.

[montago_bay]

I love STB's to death...my boy is a STB and I have rescued another STB, they're are so GREAT!!!! GO THE STANDIES!!! lol