Restarting an Off Track TB. 2nd Ride.

[@kidstuff44555]

My experience with OTTBs here in Australia is: they are quick learners (good and bad things). The ones we had didn't buck or rear, but they did have a tendency to want to go faster if they were unsure about anything you asked, their default mode was "if I go faster it must be the right answer". A change of bit helps if they really lean on a snaffle, even just to use a different shaped snaffle that puts pressure in different areas of the mouth (like a Myler). Some of them go great in hackamores for this reason too. They aren't spooky in general, but if they get anxious they can react very fast... as in they can leap forward or scoot sideways so quick you might end up on the ground. No fun when its a 16.2 horse. The best thing about them is they try very hard and so excel in competitive sports, they'll be the eventers who keep going for you through a long muddy course after all the warmbloods have given up lol.

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

That's is very similar to the ones here in the states.

[@marymartin8763]

I restarted my late OTTB mare who was a rescue (10+ years of neglect and abuse) and she was 23 when I got her! I like vaquero so I’m a huge believer of a ton of groundwork, even though ottbs are fully trained horses I like to start from the beginning to fine tune everything, add things, and break some habits. She went from “dangerous and untrainable” according to the seller, to a horse I could hop on bridleless and bareback after 2 months off and she’d be absolutely perfect!!! The things she had the most difficulty with was standing still, walking calmly, and stopping off my seat. In the end I could leave her ground tied for half an hour and she wouldn’t move, she’d always walk nice and slow and clam with her head low (I refused to use draw reins or a martingale because I knew it would happen with time) and her stop!!!! So nice! It was rare that I used the reins, it felt like they were for decoration! I’m on my second OTTB rescue now, she’s 15 and hasn’t been ridden since her last race almost 11 years ago, she got rescued almost 3 months ago, I got her from a body condition score of 3 to 5 now and were a month into groundwork and she is a SMART mare and learns so quickly but her main struggle is anxiety from being away from the herd which we work on daily and she gets better everyday! I think ottbs are the smartest, well at least the chestnut mares! And they are so protective and make a GREAT partner. Take care of them and they’ll give you the world and more!

[@bettybakebake]

you are a true master, I salute you, not many horseman would have been able to keep that horse from being too frisky. could have gone that way twenty times that I saw.

[@thegeekyequestrian971]

She did so good on this one! Like you said she clearly has a lot to learn, but I loved how calmed she seemed overall, even when she was like, “i’m not quite sure what you want me to do”.

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Yes. This is going to be a good one.

[@beckbeverley3451]

My first ottb groundwork was an issue. He's 17.2 so respect on the ground was important and to have a good mind and trust. He was abused badly post track and on deaths door when I got him. But of course as wait gained we got more energy. He stands like a rock now and will pick me up. He by far is the best I've had. We really had no sides so it was work but soo worth it. He works sheep and cattle now brilliantly and so soft. However my latest ottb similar background is super reactive and her mind flees first ATM. She had a large injury to hind leg and as a result is a kicker. We are working on it and improving daily. Haltering is an issue getting it over her nose once on she's great. Super sweet but has really been abused. So it's about for her asking and ensuring she doesn't fear getting it wrong... I e be hit etc sweet girl who day by day makes gaines. Pace teaching her to be 'slow' instead of forward. But both are great

[@KingsMom831]

Really enjoy watching you work with this beautiful mare! Seems like she has a good personality 😊

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

In general, she is nice to be around.

[@KingsMom831]

@@timandersonhorsetraining It certainly looks that way in camera.

[@gretchenzwicker338]

I had an OTTB when I was a kid. He ended up being the BEST trail horse I ever had. His gaits were so beautiful and he was huge. He was off the track when I got him and I was only 13 years old, and I retrained him and showed him in HUS classes and he won everything. He was a great horse. Watching you with this mare makes me want another one. The only problem he had was when I first got him he took off with me on the trail and I thought I was going to die! But a running martingale for awhile and changing bits around he was fine. Great job Tim! Love your videos!

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

What a great memory!

[@gretchenzwicker338]

@@timandersonhorsetraining Awwww Tim it’s a long story and I did not know anything and it was a time when everyone in my area had horses. I wish I knew then what I know now but that horse was so smart and so willing, so athletic. I think TBs are so misunderstood, it’s a shame because a lot of the time I think they are smarter than people that they end up with😂I am an Appaloosa person but I love big TBs and Appendix also. I am 62 now still riding, and the first time I rode I was 5. Horse people are born not made🙂

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

She has a lovely, willing personality. She’ll be a great mount for her owner.

[@pjk1714]

Good morning I don't use the block to do my circles. I bring them back to the block after circling away from it. Her breaking from the block as you mounted, I would zero tolerance and abort. She stood well for you, but walking off can also turn into a bolt being fast starters. Habits are learned quickly with thoroughbreds. Stopping is always fun early on. Often they are used to a handler walking towards from the side to block them. Her foot work improved in that short time. Once you lay the groundwork in the smaller area, the real truth will surface in your larger area. Interesting how she would react with other horses riding. Hope you test before any attempt to trail ride. It's natural some must think they are in lead.. Enjoy your weekend

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Yes you are right about the mounting block. At the track the jockey mounts the horse while it's moving so I do it the way for OTTB's because I don't want them to feel like they are being punished for doing what they have previously been taught. Right now she is at the stage where I am wanting to trigger her brain think a little differently than she has in the past. I'll be putting out a video of her in about a week on how I teach her to control her speed the the trail riding issue you're talking about will not ever come up.

[@Pam_Doddridge]

My daughter retrained mine, we raced her and when she was done on the track my daughter retrained her as a jumper. Very smart, picked up things very easily. She even had a nice lead change early on. Picking up the left lead was the toughest challenge and bridling her, we assume someone pulled her ear when they bridled her because she would flip her head when you put the bridle near her ears. She’s now a perfect horse, easy to bridle and no problem with her left lead. She changed my opinion on thoroughbreds, I always had quarter horses.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Some people use “ear twitch” to give meds etc. I hope your mare learns to trust you

[@stephaniedavis7033]

Yes, retraining now so perfect timing on the vids, thx and much appreciated. Taking it slow as he will be my forever horse, after losing my 38 yr old Qtr last yr. Tested this new guy and his mind, eye and heart all showed me that he was the one. Letting him be a horse most of the time, having fun with the pony mare (rescue pony) and walking the property (35 acres) regularly, ground work is the most important, small area in the pasture for riding work, he is smart and doing excellent. OTTBs are amazing and kind. (oh, I'm over 50, started riding hunt Thoroughbreds at age 4, but have owned almost every other breed in the last 40 yrs, no shows just pleasure trail hacking around the farm). Blessings n sunshine always!

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

That sounds great. Taking it slow is great but make sure you are challenging him enough to keep his mind engaged. Just like a child, unchallenged minds can get them in trouble.

[@stephaniedavis7033]

@@timandersonhorsetraining agree, I also have plenty of stuff in the corral where I work him and still getting him over the 'rough' training from the race barn, so he knows he will not be hurt here is my main goal now.

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Good plan!

[@holdyourhorses9842]

Track horses are not prevented from stepping off right away. This goes for Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. Contact with the bit is constant, just straight lines/reins without pulling. Tim I really appreciate your videos. You're like the "other trainer" in the area to go to for training. Respect given!!

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Thank you.

[@Twisted-Autumn-505]

I just picked up mg first TB also ex racer your videos have helped a lot. My gelding is getting better with rating an steering.

[@pattirockgarden4423]

As always, great teaching/training video!

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Thank you.

[@jgambrell10]

I like the Forwardness they seem to move along quicker in the training I like to teach the taller ones to stretch out when I grab the saddle horn…. Currently have a nice very Athletic ottb with an more of an appendix build uphill mover but fighting with stone bruises an thin soles smh

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Thin soles seem to come with them. You'll get it worked out.

[@Cashmere-or-Carhartt]

I have one now (half QH half TB). He is a fire-breathing dragon. It’s like riding a freight train. I love the guy but am really struggling with him. He grabs the bit (twisted wire snaffle) and just does not want to relax and slow down. Any advice?

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Lots of changing directions.

[@998marianne]

Twisted wire , pain .

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Not true.