Retraining an Off The Track Standardbred | Happy the Standie

Do you have a horse with PSSM or suspect they have a myopathy and wonder what you can do for them? Discover what a horse with PSSM can do and more here.
This video shows Happy and my progress together from late 2017 to September 2020. Happy is an ex-pacer and raced for 2 years before being retrained to do english riding. When I bought him, he was able to walk, trot, and canter under saddle but none of it was easy or came naturally to him. Later in our partnership, we discovered he had PSSM type 2 and began to manage his myopathy.
0:47 - January 2018 - 6 months together
3:15 - Summer 2018 - 10 months together
6:43 - September 2018 - 11 months together - Broken arm
7:35 - December 2018 - 14 months together - First Signs of PSSM at 9 years old
10:13 - Summer 2019 - 22 months together - First lessons with Stephanie
11:33 - Fall 2019 - 2 years together - 6 lessons into Stephanie's program
14:12 - January 2020 - 2.5 years together - PSSM takes full affect
17:17 - April 2020 - 27 months together - PSSM Diagnosis
21:05 - September 2020 - 34 months together - PSSM mostly managed
25:35 - October 2020 - 35 months together - Happy enjoying his favorite treat
I am grateful to Stephanie Walker and her lesson/training program through Free Heart Stables for helping us get to where we are today. Without her persistence, patience, and knowledge we would not be on our way to showing next year. Not only has she helped us with his training but she has meticulously researched PSSM type 2 and the diet requirements. She is truly an amazing horse woman. If you are in Northern California or even if you want to take some online courses from her, please contact her via her website (freeheartstables.com).
Music: www.bensound.com
All other video content is original content from my GoPro Hero6, iPhone , and DJI Pocket Osmo.

[@celticminstral6511]

I found this really interesting. I live in the England and yes there is a stigma attached to Standardbreds here. They're often cheaper to buy because if they have been used for racing, ,they don't make anything than a Happy Hacker. Looking at Happie's videos that isn't the case. Also the issue on PSSM , you mentioned a build of lactic acid etc. and the tests were done after a long, active ride. As an ex carriage driver, driving for long distances created the same problem. I always gave my mare ( 14.2hd cob who sweated up a lot!) vitamin E and salts after long drives especially in warm weather. This was something people did Years ago, as common place. It was called 'tying up'. A lot of hunters often 'tyed up on Sundays/Mondays. Horses were often given bran mashes to. ' Seems a lot more complicated these days with lots of supplements! But well done with sticking with him. I think he's super!! ( Mature person!!)

[@happythestandie]

Thank you! I am convinced a lot of issues modern horses encounter are a lack of a good source of vitamin e and minerals. I did not realize when I first bought Happy that he needed more than just the hay the boarding barn fed him. I think if I had to go simpler with his supplements id probably just add more protein and vitamin e to his diet and leave the rest. Here in California, a lot of people don’t even realize the standardbred stigma but I know it’s all around the world. He’s been an awesome horse to learn on and I do believe id buy another one. The level of try he has and his desire to please is beyond any horse I have owned. The only negative side to this is he gets frustrated easily if the rider isn’t clear with the aids but as of late he’s been more patient and will come back to work mentally when you get it right.

[@j.everheart267]

I’m currently fostering an ex-Amish standardbred. He’s a doll! So far, very impressed with the breed- level headed, sweet and tough, especially considering how used up they get with the Amish.

[@sidilicious11]

My first horse in 1967 was a SB who had two careers before me, a competive pacer, then a barrel racer. I was 13 he was 26. He was rock solid and bomb proof. He had a lot of go and we had many, many great riding adventures along the back roads of Wisconsin .

[@happythestandie]

That’s awesome!

[@eventhorizon]

I trained an off the track standardbred for the saddle, he was such a good boy... but one of the first times I rode him, and not just laid across his back or just sat on him for a bit, or just get up and down- he was very unsure, but he gave it all his effort... he spooked and he started moving pretty quick and I was very confused for a moment because it felt almost like a mix of a trot and canter, just the weirdest thing I had ever felt and I called over to my friend/instructor who was helping me come up with a training routine because I had never trained a horse that was never ridden to saddle- "What is he doing???" She laughed and said "He's pacing!" He was a trotter, but they also would put the straps on his legs to race him as a pacer- when he was confused he would break into a pace. When his confidence was up and I was working on teaching him to go from a trot to a canter I did get such a blast at just how fast he could trot, and when other horses would break into a canter, he would do a weird transition to pacing and go even faster for a bit. Once I knew what it was I would be lying if I said I didn't have fun, but the day he figured out he was allowed to canter and gallop with me on him was glorious, and he seemed super happy that it clicked.

[@happythestandie]

Awww what a great story! Happy does the pacing when he’s confused or anxious too! It’s so weird but I admit I kinda find it thrilling at times! They are such good, honest horses!

[@eventhorizon]

​@@happythestandie - I had to sub, this vid made me smile the entire time! But yeah, so much heart!

[@happythestandie]

@@eventhorizon aww thank you!!!

[@eweaver9101]

I had to laugh because i saked my daughter, who was watching me try to trot/canter our offtrack standard the exact same thing. It felt like i was on an unbalanced washing machine on spin. I have 2 more now working on retraining. At least now we know whats going on.

[@kippen64]

Am also a Standardbred fan and have a 16.2hh Standardbred gelding. Glad that I found your channel.

[@happythestandie]

Wow! That’s awesome! What do you guys do together? I’m glad you found us too!

[@kippen64]

@@happythestandie He's currently a pet but the plan is to go eventing if possible. If not possible, then hunting.

[@happythestandie]

@@kippen64 ah! Both super fun options! Good luck!

[@whipwalk]

Excellent video with fantastic information. Thank you. I'm glad you two are doing well.

[@happythestandie]

Thank you!! I am glad you found it informative!

[@CavaliaGirl]

Really found value in your journey and my goodness he looks amazing now. Your videos really help those of us out there dealing w PSSM2.

[@happythestandie]

I’m glad my content can be useful for you! I appreciate your comment!

[@snbfield]

Great job! Nice to see you two are doing so well now. We miss you...

[@happythestandie]

We miss you guys too! We will have to haul out for a trail ride sometime!

[@melissaphelps7443]

I’ve just found this video and loved it! I am at the beginning of my journey with my SB, we’ve had him two years and just hacked him but now I’m coming back to riding after having my son and we are retraining him, we still cant canter under saddle but we get a lovely trot most times although he does rush and is tense when we go out in group events. It was nice to see your progress and to hear the similarities to my boy. He is the most loving gentle boy and I know we will get there! 🥰🐎

[@happythestandie]

Thanks for the comment and subscribe! I am glad you liked the video and found it informative! You are the kind of person I made this channel for! When I first got Happy, I scoured KZbin for videos of other people with Standardbreds they were training for sport horse purposes and found nothing. I am glad you found our channel! Let me know if you have any questions along the way with your current standie! I have found as of late that Happy does better in new environments when we can hand walk and he can figure things out on his own without me on his back. I think the added element of the rider really worries him. You can check out our instagram (@sempre_equus) where I have a recent reel on hand walking him in a new trail area behind our barn. So glad I let him explore on his own before getting on since I think I would have been dumped lol.

[@pixiedustoftweedleD]

Thank you for sharing; very informative!

[@Bianka_Taylor]

I really enjoyed your video! I have been doing research on Standardbreds because I would really like to have one. I was going to look at a few of them hopefully next weekend to adopt.

[@happythestandie]

OMG yay!! I LOVE mine. I had originally only shown quarter horse and appaloosa western type stuff as a kid but when I saw Happy I knew I had to have him. He has so much try and is willing to do almost anything I want of him. Plus he is very sweet and mostly forgiving of my mistakes. I will definitely always want a standie from here on out. Good Luck with your search!

[@Bianka_Taylor]

@@happythestandie That sounds great! I have only owned off the track thoroughbreds and have seen a lot of Standardbreds in need of loving homes. I can’t believe the views people have on them like they are useless! So far I’ve only heard nothing but amazing things about this breed and I am excited to start my journey with one. ☺️

[@happythestandie]

@@Bianka_Taylor I think a lot of people have struggles getting them to canter. Happy has done really well with it once his pssm was managed and we just worked at building strength. I think people want a quick turn around but with a standardbred you will have to take things a little slower which I’m fine with.

[@MoazamRaja]

Great info about PSSM, I had no idea.

[@happythestandie]

I believe that PSSM is more wide spread than people realize. It explains a lot of behavioral issues for horses that are considered lazy or defiant. Prior testing for this though was pretty invasive and now with the advent of the test based off of genetic markers via EquiSeq, it makes it more accessible for people to understand what could be ailing their horse. Thanks for watching!

[@barbarapiolunowska9289]

Awesome video its amazing to see your journey! I struggle with the same issues with my mare thats part standy and I've been wondering about pssm with her as well so its so crazy to see this video! I can't afford testing right now but I am incorporating the diet as if she had the pssm 2. Love your videos! Definitely an inspo for all the standy owners out there 😊💕

[@happythestandie]

Thank you! That means a lot! This year has been a lot for us with the pssm diagnosis and then subsequent diet changes. I think you are going about it the right way though! Diet changes are relatively easy even if some trial and error is involved. Good luck with your girl!

[@barbarapiolunowska9289]

@@happythestandie thanks so much! Are you giving Happy extra protein as well? And what has been your go to for a fat source?

[@happythestandie]

@@barbarapiolunowska9289 currently he’s on soy bean hulls for protein and copra cool stance and cocosoya liquid for fat. I also have his calcium/phosphorus balanced with mono sodium phosphate. He gets vitamin e, a multi vitamin (mega-mag), salt pellets, magnesium, selenium, and flax. He gets half alfalfa and half grass hay for his forage. I don’t know all of the exact measurements for everything but if you want to know more I can check.

[@grace_gibbo1240]

I really enjoyed this video I have a soft spot for standies and I’m looking to purchase one (pending veiwing him this week)

[@happythestandie]

How exciting!!! I love the breed so much!

[@lizxu322]

I adopted a standie last week from NSW harness racing about 2 Weeks ago, quietest horse ever but a bit uncomfortable to ride on. I hope to retrain him again and get his weight up

[@grace_gibbo1240]

@@lizxu322 that’s so awesome they are such an underrated breed

[@lizxu322]

@@grace_gibbo1240 you too! I hope you get your dream standie 😍

[@gabyandjack]

im currently training a 9 year old gelding aswell that ive been at for almost a year at the moment working towards doing our first dressage test

[@happythestandie]

That’s awesome!

[@BB-co7kp]

What a cutie pie

[@carlylouisemccollx605]

How did you get him to stop pacing from behind?

[@happythestandie]

It kind of started to fall into the place the more balanced he got. I did a lot of circles and transitions to help with that though

[@ShayzelsLife]

Does anyone have some tips for breaking in a standardbred xx

[@happythestandie]

What kind of advice do you want? I wish I could be more helpful but Happy had basic training under saddle when I bought him. If you’re on Facebook, there’s a great resource there in the group “Standardbred Retraining”. They have people from the track and people who have off the track horses that they are working with. I wish I could be more helpful than that but hopefully someone on that group can help you out more

[@ShayzelsLife]

@@happythestandie Thank you so much ☺️ I’ll have a look xx

[@happythestandie]

@@ShayzelsLife also check out my friend Colleen’s page. She had two standardbred she retrained herself! youtube.com/@ColleenNolanTran

[@eternalcarnival]

Was he able to trot before you got him off the track or did you train him to trot I don't know much about standardbreds but im very interested in them

[@happythestandie]

I think he was able to walk/trot/canter from the track but I didn’t buy him directly from the track so I’m not 100% sure.

[@eternalcarnival]

@@happythestandie Oh okay thank you! I’ve been wondering this for awhile now 🤣

[@hunterclassy8815]

Most horses are fine walk and trot off the track, the wear straps that get them to pace on the track. So they do usually trot, canter is a lot more work. A canter would be considered breaking stride on the track and very discouraged, so these horses feel as they they should not canter in work

[@happythestandie]

@@hunterclassy8815 I agree. Happy had a pacey canter when I bought him. I think it was the best the trainer who got him off the track could do. He did canter on his own though in turnout