I Just Got My 3 Year Old Off the Track (4 on January 1st) Thoroughbred Gelding One Month Ago?
I have done nothing but groundwork and a lot of grooming since I got him. Granted the weather has been snowy and miserable so he has time to chill out in his stall and paddock area. I have been really working on him getting used to me leading him on his right side. He hates it! He of course has no problem doing anything on the left. Also getting him to simply lunge going to the right , he does OK, then stops and turns into me. I make him keep walking forward but not without him pulling on me and backing up. I then make him back up until he has all his attention on me again and not on what he thinks is right! then we continue on going to the right again. Other than that, he is a very kind horse. I haven’t turned him out into the pasture yet due to the footing being bad this time of year. He went crazy last time I let him out in the arena and ran as fast as he could from one end to the next bucking in between. I am not really sure what his calling is but I am hoping for a lower level dressage prospect. We are developing a very special relationship and I just want him to be happy and not a stressed out racehorse.
He has a very springy trot and a lovely neck head set. I haven’t ridden him but once in a round pen and he did very well as far as turning left and right and listening to my legs. He has a very playful way about him right now. I walked him around the perimeter of the pasture today and he was shaking he got so excited. The horses in the pasture next door were of no help either, they were running around stealing his attention! When is a good time to let him out alone in the pasture. I am so afraid of him doing something stupid and running through or jumping the fence!
The pasture is about a acre so it’s not real huge. I would like some advice as to how to approach this with him. He has been off the track for 2 months now. Should I just continue working with him in the smaller arena and give him a month more of me before turning him out? He has a complete fit when the other two horses get let out in the arena and he doesn’t. His paddock is basically right in the arena so he never loses sight of them. I am thinking it is his "baby" side coming out and he throws a tantrum because he wasn’t invited! Any advice is much appreciated. I have a lot of patience with my boy and have nothing but time to give him. I would love to hear from other "new" horse owners of these off the track horses!
Well, I’m not ‘new" horse owner, but I have galloped TBs for 19 years and have retrained several. Just a note about feed, just to cover the bases – if you haven’t cut out the hard feed (grain) then do so. He does not need the extra calories/energy. He should be on grass hay only on a free-choice basis if possible. If he’s underweight or proving to be a hard keeper, you can find a feed that is high in fiber and added fat, but do not be feeding him anything with molasses such as sweet feed, nor oats.
If he’s only been off the track for 3 months, then he’s still fit. He needs to be let down gradually. Handwalking him daily is a very good idea, in the small arena. If he’s proviing to be a handful, you can put a chain over his nose, which will cause him no pain or pressure unless and until you need to use it. He’ll be well accustomed to this. If you don’t know how to properly thread it through the halter rings, then get someone to show you how.
You do have to be very careful in turning him out the first few times, because it’s very likely that he hasn’t been turned out since being started, or at least since being first raced. He may have had some time turned out in a stud paddock if he was given any time off, but they would likely have tranquilized him if they did turn him out. Your concern about him running through a fence is valid. The paddock should have rounded corners, and you’d be wise to put protective boots on him, as well. If he’s shod, then put bell boots on, too.
You mentioned a roundpen, and that will be a good place to begin his retraining. I strongly advise you not attempt to free-longe him, but rather keep him on a longe line so you can prevent him tearing around and hurting himself. A good time frame for letting a TB down is 6 months of ground work and turnout – once he’s calmed down and is not prone to racing around and getting hurt. It really will all depend on his temperament and how he was handled. I have known a few TBs who could quite literally go from racing to being ridden on the trail the next week. Some are very placid, some not so. Take the safe approach with your horse and let him tell you when to progress.
One other note, be firm with him. Fair but firm. If you’re too passive and he figures it out, you will have a handful. Most of the handlers (grooms, hotwalkers, trainers and riders) on the track are very experienced, and would have made sure he respected them (hopefully in a kind way), but if he figures out you’re a push-over (not insinuating you are, but I’ve seen this happen) then he will quickly figure it out take charge. Again, it will depend on his particular temperament.
I’m really glad to hear you’ve given him a second chance. Enjoy!