EX-RACEHORSES


as well that Racehorses should be able to canter around aschool easily but quiteoften this is the hardest thing forthem to pick up.Theymay be very one sided and favour cantering on one leg rather than another and theycannot hold themselves together so will motorbikearound the corners. This is whereitisdowntothe rider to educate, help and support the horse so that theycan learn what is being asked of them and givethemachancetophysically and also mentally adapt to their newway of going. Look at howRacehorsesare ridden when in training, as youmay need to change your wayofriding to help them adjust. Rather than trying to sit deep intothe saddle,gohalfseatinstead and be light in your seat and hands. If theydon’t respond to your leg, then encourage them with your body and hands as well. Don’texpectthem to do loads of transitions and circlesorlateral work, theyare Racehorses,theygallop,and their musclesare developed forgalloping not long periods of schooling in the early stages. Keep training sessions short and sweet so that your horse doesnot tirementally or physically and justtry and find out what theyenjoydoing. Alot of Racehorses have their ownway of


going and rather than physically trying to change them tooquickly we should allowthem to grow intothemselves as their retraining progresses.


If their bodiesare adjustedtoo quickly rather than softening them and giving them chanceto develop,you risk causing them morestiffness and tightness and even creating issuesintheir body,theynever had whilstintraining. Their retraining is all about changing their wayofgoing and that is not alwaysaquick fix. Theycan be encouraged very early on in their retraining to learn to stretchdowntogivethemthatfeeling straight away of alonger loweroutline.Many Racehorseswill typically have ahollowoutline and high head carriage when they firststart their retraining, and some people arekeen to try and build them up through lotsoftransitions but until theyare strong enough to engage their back end youmay well ending up causing them discomfort through their backs. They will often lean on the rider forsupport during schooling sessions and that is wherethe rider themselves has to be physically strong enough and experienced enough to help the horse. Lunging canbequitehardfor some Racehorses


as theycan’tbalancethemselves on asmall circle in the early stagesofretraining. Alot of people find theycan get quiteexcited on the lunge so it maynot have the desired affectas part of your retraining sometimes. Some will rush round and playupbecause theyare getting frustrated with themselves or justthink this is


away forthem to let off steam! Oncetheyare moreestablished it is greatway to help build up that topline and teach them abit of self-carriage. When your Racehorse is physically and mentally


ready to start going out to shows or clinicsitis again important to remember what their racing lifewas like. These horseswill travel to the races alone or with othersand then be takenstraight off the horseboxonarrival at the Racecourse and stabled beforeand afterthe Race.Theywill then be loaded up again and takenhome.Standing around on ahorseboxatashowwithout been able to see what is going on but hearing the hustle and bustle outside canquiteliterally freak alot of retired Racehorsesout. Pick your outings and knowyour horse beforeyou start taking them anywhere. Take afriend forthemtostand on the horseboxwith or take them off the horseboxon arrival and allowthemtohaveagood look around and try not to makeabig issue of anything. This is all newtothemand we want them to have a good firstfew outings and keep them as relaxed and happyaspossible.Acalmer cookie or calmer powder canhelp and canbeused in avarietyof situations such as going out somewherefor the firsttime thatmay cause youexRacehorse some stress or anxiety. Theycan help keep your horse calm, relaxed and focused without affecting their abilitytocompete/perform. Theycan also be very useful forhacking, changesinroutine,farrier days,anything that your horse may find abit hard to cope with during the early stages of setting into their newhome and during their retraining. They arebyno means a fixtoanunsettledhorse andif youdohaveaverystressy or anxious horse who strugglestocope with changesand newthings then youneedtolook at the wider reasons as to whyand probably get some help andadvicefrom someone experiencewith retraining Racehorses. It cantakeyears to change your Racehorse


to ariding/ competition horse,but it canbe afabulous journeyalong the way. Sometimes it is not easy but try not to make it toohard foryourself or the horse.Donot expecttoo much from your horse toosoon and don’ttry and change them toomuch, enjoythem and don’tbe afraid to ask forhelp or advice. There areplentyofRacehorse classesfor


horsesatall levels of retraining. From Showing to Eventing thereissomething foreveryone to enjoywith their retrained Racehorse!


Forfurther information about Amanda’s work with ex-racehorses visit: www.millsstablesretrainingracehorses.com


PleasementionCentralHorseNewswhenresponding toAdvertisementsAUGUST/SEPTEMBER2021


29


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64