Cross Breeds

re schooling an ex race horse?

hi, i own a 15.2 thoroughbred mare, who stopped flat racing when she was 8 yrs old (she is 13yrs going on to 14 next year) and i have owned her since she was 11. and now we have gotten to both trust and know each other i would love to re school her. we have been jumping anything from 1 ft to 4 over the past 1 1/2 years. i am planning to give her a 6 week break next year from the 23 of feb to the 6 of april, in order for her to have a fresh start. and on the 6th we have our easter break (im still at school) which is 2 weeks and 2 days so i will have plenty of time to work with her, getting her used to being back in work and understanding that leg doesn't always mean go! lol so what i wanted to ask was what would be the best way to start re schooling her (i might be getting an instructor once every 2 weeks for lessons but i doubt i will be able to afford it! :( ) and are there any books/websites that are particularly useful? and if you have any personal stories to do with re schooling ex race horses would be a great help as well! thank you! and because Gem (my ex racer) is soooo cute (lol) here's some pics xx this i Gem when i was trying her out (v different to now!) http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=DSC00622.jpg nowish http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=gemginaandme041.jpg http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=gemginaandme030.jpg http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=gemginaandme025.jpg http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=horses106.jpg http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=2496005138a8317048303l.jpg http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/shesagem2662/?action=view&current=wooooo90000019.jpg Gem has got a new bit now (that 1 was way too heavy and chunky!) this is the bit which she has got now, would it be ok for re schooling? http://www.foxhunter.on.ca/bitpics/1644.jpg

Public Comments

1. Perosnally I would not give her that long of a brake. i have tbhe not off the trck but he had and had to sit out for that long it took us (me and m trainer) 4 weeks to get him back to being his old self and he still not complty back. She looks pretty sane and very cute i would continue riding her.
2. i don't know how to go about schooling her, but the break would definatly do her good. just make sure she doesnt screw up her field too much, and keep her warm with rugs so that she doesnt lose weight.
3. I would keep it at a months break, but see her most days and make sure that she know you are still her best friend and the boss, that way she should come back into work slighlty easier. I find it is easier without instructors bossing you about. I know they know so much more but you are the one who knows your horse, and sometimes they just get on my nerves a bit. But if she is quite forward then I would try to re-school in an indoor arena mabye with another horse to follow for the first couple of times. You look like a good rider and owner so you decide what books to read and what is most helpful. And I think that bit would be fine, but she's your horse. =) My cousin takes in straight off the track Ex-racers to re-school and train and she finds this site very good help! http://www.horsetrainingresources.com/?gclid=CL7Clrzd7ZYCFQKKMAodg26kqw
4. okay, just F.Y.I. your new bit would be harsher than a chunky bit, but that one will help a lot with steering... personally 6 weeks is a long break, i let my 15 yr. old horse off for 2 weeks because i hurt my wrist and he could've been 4 yrs. old when i got back on him! A book for reschooing would be "Back to Work" but that more for if you rescued a horse and needed a long term plan, anyway here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Back-Work-Rehabilitate-Recondition-Horse/dp/1570763666 But here's what I'd do: (note, this is for a lower level dressage horse, since i couldn't exactly tell what disipline you do) 1st day: lunge 2nd day: lunge with sliding reins (if you don't have sliding side reins i'd highly suggest getting them) 3rd day: Ride at the walk only. do back up-walk-halt-back up type transitions and practice having her move off of your leg and into your hands, work over pole to keep her taking big steps. 4th day: lots of trot work. circles, circles, circles. Work with being and staying round, and lengthenening and shortening strides all at the trot. 5th day: BREAK DAY 6th day: go conditioning on trails/roads 7th day: Walk/trot work. start with lunging, first w/ out sliding reins, then with, then get on. LOTS of transitions. make sure you still work with backing up. 8th day: Now we canter. Same thing as first time trotting, circles, lengthening and shortening, transitions, moving away from leg still 9th day: Go for a gallop 10th day: BREAK DAY 11th day: from her on out go back to your normal routine
5. Hi Gem looks a lovely little mare. Personally, and after many years of experience with both training racehorses (for racing) and re-training racehorses (for riding horses) I would give her the 6 weeks off but make sure that she is still getting well fed and kept well rugged throughout the winter period so that she doesn't loose weight (as this is a common trait for thoroughbreds). When you bring her back into work, there is no real way for bringing them back. Each horse is different and you will know what your horses capabilities are. Bring her back slowly. If you know she will be fine under saddle, saddle her up and walk her for half an hour building this up on a day to day basis then start introducing some nice slow trotting work. After a good week of this, she will be getting back into a routine (which is what is important) and you will then be able to gauge where to go from there and whether she is ready for canter work. It is much better to spend the extra time bringing them back in slowly rather than rushing them. She will benefit from this and you will as well with not riding her for so long. They key to a happy thoroughbred is time and patience. She looks a nice honest type of mare so I dont think the 6 weeks break is going to hurt her at all, especially if you are planning to do lots with her once she is back in work. Have fun!!