OTTB Transformation: Retraining Two Racehorses

The progress of Harlow (7y/o light bay mare) and Betty (8y/o dark bay/black) since their retirement from racing back in September.
Shop my merch & saddle pads: milestoneequestrian.ca/milesto...
BUSINESS INQUIRIES:
[e-mail]
HELP SUPPORT US:
Order MERCH:
teespring.com/stores/mileston...
www.redbubble.com/people/mile...
Donate:
/ sdequus
www.paypal.me/milestoneequest...
MY WEBSITE/BLOG: www.milestoneequestrian.ca
SPONSORS:
prochaps.com - Email in order and say Shelby Dennis referred you for 25% off.
o3animalhealth.com code DENNIS for $20 off 2 gallons.
techstirrups.com'
schleese.com
INSTAGRAM: / sdequus
FACEBOOK PAGE: / milestoneequestrian96
Intro music: Home (feat. Constance) by Dylan Emmet / dylanemmet
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/home-feat-constance
Music promoted by Audio Library • Home (feat. Constance)...

[@Anvynn]

Can we appreciate Shelby for working with Harlow to lower her anxiety levels and stop high head carriage instead using martingale or other contraptions to tie the head down

[@Anvynn]

@Ignacio Kameron a trick: report unwanted and spammy replies

[@HoldingMoneyRansom]

i do use hay bale twine to introduce tucking when lunging because they do snap if the horse freaks out, i know this because of a young horse who was afraid of leads so my sister used baling twine and it snapped when he took off after he was bitten by a horse fly. i only do it so when i'm on them, they somewhat know what i'm asking when i lightly pull back to get them on the bit again instead of them throwing their head out and flipping out

[@Jess._.Equine13]

Martingales sound ‘tie the head down’ if they are done up too much yes but they are not suppose to be tight enough for that

[@aRTyMedia]

This is impressive training techniques. Your insights remind me of a saying I heard a long time ago: "Racehorses are trained to be on the edge of hysteria at all times."

[@Anvynn]

I love Harlow's leg markings.. It's like she's wearing little boots 😭❤️

[@CassBlast5]

Betty’s gaits are so lovely! And the moments that Harlow relaxes, you can see how pretty hers will be when she’s able to consistently relax

[@maddalenahylton]

You have done such a lovely job with the two girls...makes me realize how often thoroughbreds are given a huge disservice. I see so often thoroughbreds on craigslist and such being listed as extremely hot and full of go go go, needing a high key experienced rider. It’s quite sad. We need more people like you properly exposing TB’s to a new lifestyle.

[@lmp8932]

So true and the main reason OTTB's end up at the sales/slaughter pipeline and riders are injured. Retraining an ex galloper is not for people who can just 'ride'.

[@vamppanic]

so many inexperienced people with skewed expectations take on ottbs and when they are surprised by the work and the patience that is required of them regardless whether the horse is hot and fiery or dead quiet they are put off and hand them over to someone else. it’s very disheartening to see

[@Razuberri]

Something I find so funny about my OTTB is that we’ve never had any rushing issues at the canter, he naturally wants to keep a slower pace and he rly is not very interest in going very fast. Even when I’m being a bad rider and accidentally start bracing, he throws his head up rather leaning into the bit to run (not unlike Harlow). On the other hand, he has a lot of trouble at the trot! tbh I just don’t think anyone did a lot of trot work with him before he came to me, poor guy. So in the few months I’ve had him, we’ve been doing a lot of work to relax at the walk & trot and I’ve been blown away by how much his top line has improved. Every horse and OTTB is different, but tbh relaxation is key to good muscle development!

[@jenniferrebecca2813]

I couldn’t agree more to that! Relaxation is key ✨ I did lots of long reining and trotting up hills with mine 😋

[@chandorequestrian]

I love your approach to horses. You are very good. Love from Florida, USA 🇺🇸

[@veritasreigns]

Beautiful, Shelby.

[@Poetessa2]

I just ADORE Shelby's techniques with OTTB's!!!! She really takes the time to understand their brains and how they are wired!! So many riders just don't understand how sensitive they are and use awful bits and heavy hands which only make the horse speed up, hollow out and stress, as she said. I've ridden many OTTB jumpers and I always rode them in gentle bits and if the sh*t in the fan, especially after jumps, I would just sit back, use my weight, lengthen the rein and if possible do a big circle and gradually spiral as long as they weren't too forward and stressed and most of the time they would just quiet down themselves. It's contrary to what our brains tell us....too fast, pull back but that's the wrong info with them!! She is a lovely rider with so much compassion and understanding of each horse she rides. It's so refreshing and comforting to see her work!! Hats off to her!!!!

[@sidilicious11]

You have put in lots of time with them! I love the way you are helping them calm down and adjust to hacking, arenas, being around other horses and mellowing out. They are lucky you two are helping them learn new things. Beautiful horses!

[@wendylow5748]

So so helpful in that I now feel like I'm on the right track! (no pun intended) But your tip about letting them canter on the off lead was useful. I'm your newest (but probably oldest) fan.

[@eyesea123]

Love this, not boring at all.

[@emmienewswanger222]

I currently own an 18-year-old OTTB. I only got him three years ago when he was already finished and he is a lesson horse at the barn I ride at. Currently, I'm looking into buying an OTTB that I can spend my time with and grow a strong bond with. I'm passionate about rehoming OTTB's because of the horrors I've seen from horse racing. This video has helped give me some ideas on how to start the process (of course not every horse is the same and some require different methods and more time, but it's somewhere to start so I don't go in blind).

[@lisabell2395]

I love your way of thinking with the horses Shelby. You have natural compassion that will know no bounds x

[@kaelathatcher4240]

This was so lovely to watch

[@jenniferlehman2464]

Great job Shelby Dennis!! I've done the same thing with an off the track Standard red Pacer. Teaching him the trot was the hardest thing to do. But slow and steady won the race! He ended up being a great Hunter for an intermediate rider because of all the hard work put into him. But again, slow but steady got him to where he needed to be for her. Best Regards and Stay Safe Everyone!!! From Ontario, Canada, Jenn. 💖 💖 🇨🇦

[@kimelliott3687]

Congratulations on bringing them on in such a lovely manner. Very well done 👍

[@cynthiabrown2806]

I love your training videos. Not boring at all. I've changed my view of OTTBs, well Thoroughbreds in general! Plus I always learn something positive and that I can apply to my old part-board or indeed any horse. Thanks! Looking forward to the next one! 🙂

[@jenniferrebecca2813]

I never used to like them, but actually they’re very intelligent, athletic and willing horses. unfortunately they often end up in inexperienced homes because they are cheap and then problems arise. I have 2 now and they’re both turning into little sports horses 💕

[@TF1-10E]

restarting my first horse was so rewarding I love her so much, not a OTT but a former hunter jumper that was left to be a horse for 6yrs. she is now a great girl but still a demanding mare and that is ok because I don't beleave in "breaking" a horse i beleave in working with the horse

[@evaburgess3648]

Fantastic video. I have had my OTTB for a year and so much of it has been learning to walk on the buckle, react to voice commands for woah, and trotting forward in a relaxed rhythm. Not rushing. OTTB’s have such a different experience to other horses so often the training advice out there doesn’t quite suit them. I wish I had seen this before, would have given me confidence that I was doing the right work. Looking forward to seeing more of the series.

[@syzygyfarm]

They're looking good! Well done!

[@DrFjords]

Oh my gosh I love Betty 💕

[@hannahmcilveen]

I have infite respect and admiration for folks like you who patiently, gently retrain these horses and help them realize their potential. But the more I learn about the process, the more I know I want my first owned horse to be a retired schoolmaster. 😂

[@jenniferrebecca2813]

I’m on the same journey! 2 ex racehorses, we’re several months in and they’ve been (low level) showjumping, cross country and drag hunting. They’re very cool animals. In the beginning there was so much work to get them to build up muscles and carry themselves straight, I spent weeks just long reining them! It’s a tricky one but very rewarding 💕

[@theresagayle8278]

Thanks so much Shelby for uploading this! I have been following your channel for a while now, and your training methods and approach has given me the confidence to start again with horse riding. Seeing your mum riding is also very encouraging (I'm starting back again now that my children are in their late teens). I have just bought a very nice 3 year old ex-racehorse, and your explanations about track training has given me such a better understanding of their background. I look forward to your next upload!

[@christinemartindale8715]

Thank you Shelby for sharing this clip you are a cracking rider and it would be nice if other riders would follow your lead.Your technical methods are amazing and it is lovely to see these two xtbs starting to live a more relaxed life so thank you.😎🐎😎👏👏👏

[@inkwhiskers9948]

Great video thanks!

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

Excellent work. I love seeing your development on your riding journey.

[@bethanyshipman2310]

Thank you for this. I have an OTTB mare just like these.

[@louisetiger1408]

Thank you for posting this video! So helpfull to see the process over time and watch how the horses slosly relax into the new patterns. Really informative and inspiring

[@evaburgess3648]

Just shows how long the process takes. A reminder that you need to put the time in with an OTTB

[@stuffstuffstuffyay]

great vid- you are so articulate btw :)

[@dobbylein93]

Well done Shleby! I love Betty, she's reminding me of my own horse

[@TheNoonie50]

1:00am watching my favorite trainer.... :)

[@emilywalker8979]

❤❤❤

[@sourmuffin4077]

Awwwww

[@lotte1010]

Hello Shelby, I am from Germany and sometimes my English is not good enough to understand all of what you're saying. I have been training OTTBs as well in the past and that's why I'm very interested in this video. Could you please explain what you mean by the "check in cue" ? If I got the words right :) And by the way: I think your work with horses is fantastic. I love to see your videos.

[@Amostudiofilm]

Hi! I bought a toroughbred english. He stayed for 2 years, and now I worked with him for about 45 minutes, and the next day he couldn't step on his right front leg. Does he have a medical problem because he was used to racing? Thanks also congratulations for what you do with the horses!

[@alexortizz]

What kind of groundwork did you start them off on? Did you do target training?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

I didn’t target them but taught the check in cue by teaching them to look at me for guidance and rewarding that slight pause

[@iclynnx]

I remember there was another bay mare you bought with Betty and Harlow, Judy was it? Did you sell her? Just curious! You're still doing a really fantastic job training these horses =) There is actually a pony I usually ride at group lessons, I've noticed she pretty much gets stronger and faster if I pull more (I sometimes do that out of feeling pressured by the people around me, I don't like being judged as they may think I'm simply bad at it, but I know from experience that it doesn't work to add pressure on this energetic mare). So I try to keep the reins loose, just so I have contact, so I can still steer and gently pull if I need to slow her down if nothing else works. Any idea how I can help her keep a calm trot, perhaps even get her to lower her head (she often does wear a martingale however), as I ride her and follow instructions from our teacher? Since she isn't my horse, but she is my favorite and I've gotten to know her a bit. I want to help her relax more.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Yes, she was sold back in November. As for the horse you ride, lots of circling and change in direction is a good way to help control rhythm, as well as lots of transitions. Both of these should help her to soften and relax into contact too

[@phoebejohnson7336]

How would you correct a horse that rushes?

[@april5666]

Holly Lenahan has a number of videos on helping horses that rush jumps. She sets up a series of jumps with grids and poles in between to help the horse focus and be more careful. Best you go watch her whole videos to get the proper idea and info on spacing and configuration. And, most people I follow suggest going back to basics with ground work. It is amazing to see how often reinforcing the basics or filling in some missing pieces of the basics solves larger problems. I hope this helps you :)

[@user8241]

How many months into a horses education would you introduce jumping and how much would you do with it? I understand every horse develops at different paces but I’m just wondering if there’s a rough time you could give me?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

I don’t base it on time as it entirely depends on the horse. I also can’t say how much I would do or how fast I would move. Every horse responds to jumping differently, some horses are more nervous and need to move slowly, others are very bold and pick it up easily. Some horses need way more flat work to relax first, others start off more soft and relaxed from the beginning. It varies from horse to horse and I think averaging timelines rather than basing it on what’s best for the horse you’re sitting on does the horse a disservice.

[@user8241]

@@Milestone-Equestrian What would you say is the least amount of time you should wait before you introduce it? Xx

[@debrabiderman4275]

Boring and slow is the best way with horses!

[@hannahpratt2925]

Does anyone know what she uses to treat for ulcers? My OTTB has them and has been treated in the past but it would be nice to know what to use if it occurs again!

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

I use omeprazole

[@hannahpratt2925]

@@Milestone-Equestrian Thank you! How do you go about treating them? How much and how often do you give it to them before you stop? I’ve never had one with ulcers before so it’s new to me 😅

[@alexortizz]

I have a 16 year old thoroughbred. Can I start training her how to jump or is she too old? She was a rescue from the kill pen and was very spooky so we put her out in pasture for many months to get used to noises and to have fun with the rest of the herd but now it is time to start work and we are trying to figure out which discipline would be best for her.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

So long as she’s sound and healthy it should totally be fine to train her as you would start any other younger horse.

[@No-uq5jt]

She’s perfectly fine to train to jump! I trained my mare to jump when she was 18 and another I trained to jump when she was 22 as long as they are sound and enjoy the work they can be trained to jump

[@alexortizz]

@@No-uq5jt thank you!

[@No-uq5jt]

@@alexortizz Make sure when your starting to train her start with the smallest cross rails you can and slowly build up so you don’t knock her confidence early and so she learns to jump in the middle of the jump

[@jameswillmert26]

How is Banksy doing

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

I posted his progress in the video just before this one :)

[@sarahsemail9823]

Hey girl, so sheldy you are my inspo and I recently started uploading videos weekly. It would make my whole life if you checked it out!

[@Sjlequestrian]

I spy a couple hunters