Strides for Success

Tag: Reschooling

  • Are You Training or Retraining? Why Figuring This Out Changes Everything

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1373-Are-You-Training-or-Retraining-Why-Figuring-This-Out-Changes-Everything.mp3″ title=”Are You Training or Retraining? Why Figuring This Out Changes Everything!” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    What is it about the idea of a fresh start that is so appealing? You know,  a clean slate, a blank canvas. A ‘do-over’! As riders, we often make the crucial mistake of approaching all of our work with our horse, or improving our riding this way. And this can be a mistake because we are not asking one important question: ‘Does this require training or retraining?’

    So often, you’re not starting from scratch. What if the very thing you’re working on, either for you or your horse, already has a story written about and associated with it? 

    This is the difference between training and retraining. And understanding which one you’re dealing with can shift everything. This is especially true if you’ve been hitting roadblocks with your progress.

    The Difference Between Training & Retraining

    When you have that blank canvas where you’re either learning or teaching something new, you’re training.  It’s something that hasn’t really been done or learned before and because of that, it’s neutral.  And this is important due to how you both will think and feel about it.

    When you or your horse are learning something for the first time, there are no expectations.  No emotional layers created by what you learned before. There’s simply curiosity and discovery.

    Retraining, on the other hand, is often a completely different experience.  You’re not starting from zero. Things have been ‘learned’ before. And usually things that no longer serve the purpose or situation you’re in right now. This goes for you and your horse.

    So often, when retraining, you’re working with existing patterns, past experiences (good, bad, or confusing), habits (both mental and physical), and emotional responses (which often get missed). 

    Retraining isn’t just about doing it again. It’s about learning to do it differently because things have changed. The expectations for the outcome are now different. And that requires more time, more compassion, and a very different mindset.

    How This Shows Up for Riders & Horses

    So, let’s be honest here. The potential for riders to become confused about whether they have a training or retraining moment on their hands are endless! However, there are a few patterns where I feel there’s a good chance riders might be approaching things from the wrong perspective.

    For riders, it’s often when they are coming back to riding after a break. You ‘know’ how to ride. But suddenly, things don’t feel the same. Movements that were second nature now make you freeze or doubt yourself. That’s not a lack of knowledge. That’s a moment where some retraining is needed.

    Or maybe you or your horse had a different job (or discipline) before. For horses, this is very common when they make the switch from being a racing or working horse to being a pleasure or ‘riding’ horse. Yes, there are definitely ‘new’ things to learn; training.

    But the problem is that so many of their default responses still come from their past life or career! They’re not being ‘naughty’ or ‘otherwise’. They’re just operating based on old patterns and expectations! 

    5 Ways to Know ‘Training or Retraining’?

    Here are a few ways you can determine if you have a training or retraining issue on your hands. Knowing which one you’re dealing with will change how you move forward. So, to identify the difference:

    1. The Repeating Struggle Test

     Ask Yourself: “Have I worked on this before and yet it keeps coming back or showing up again and again?!”

    If your answer is yes, it’s likely a retraining issue that you’re dealing with. You see, you’ve probably “fixed” the thing before. Maybe numerous times! But the pattern or habit wasn’t fully changed or rewritten. Which means that every time there’s pressure applied, such as when things don’t go to plan, the old response resurfaces!  This happens for both horse and rider in lot’s of different ways. Here’s an example of each:-

              • For riders: Leaning forward through transitions, despite being aware of it!
              • For horses: Rushing into canter, even after months of “working on it”.

    2. The “I Should Know This!” Feeling

    Ask Yourself: “Do I feel frustrated because I think I should be further along?”

    This is a mindset retraining ‘red flag’, especially for riders who are coming back after a break. Returning riders.  Remember, there’s so much that you already know, but some of those things are no longer relevant or apply. This is where outdated beliefs or habits can really put a spanner in your riding!  This is the emotional retraining that is essential to go hand in hand with the physical training.

              • Example: You used to ride confidently… But now even mounting makes your chest tighten!

    3. The Emotional Response Test

    Ask Yourself: “Is there tension, resistance, or anxiety around this for either me or my horse?”

    If yes, again, that’s usually retraining. And this is a bit like number 2 in that very often it’s due to an emotional habit or pattern that needs to be changed. Remember, true training will usually feel neutral. This is in contrast to retraining, which can often feel emotionally charged. These usually aren’t “just nerves.” They’re signals of a story that needs rewriting. Here’s an example of each:-

              • For horses: Tail swishing, head tossing, hollowness, or tightening through the body
              • For riders: Tension in your chest before jumping, or shutting down after a mistake

    4. Cue Confusion Test ( for your horse)

    Ask Yourself: “When I ask a question, does my horse feel unsure or hesitant before answering? Or does he offer the wrong answer, but with full confidence?!”

    Just like us, when are horses are learning something ‘new’, they can often feel unsure or uncertain. There is a little hesitation there before they commit to a ‘final answer’! This is usually training-related. It’s new, and they just need to do it more. However, if your horse gives you a different response or answer to the one you were expecting, but does so with confidence,  your job is probably going to be retraining-related! 

              • Example: You ask for shoulder-in, and your horse immediately offers leg-yield, proudly!  That’s not confusion. That’s patterning, and he’s simply doing what was expected of him before.
              • On the flip side, if your horse looks wobbly or hesitant, that’s training. He’s unsure and learning.

    5. The Plateau Effect

    If you feel stuck, even though you’re doing “everything right,” there’s likely a retraining issue hiding underneath. This often means there are gaps in the foundation.  Often, these can be gaps that you’re not responsible for missing or failing to fill. But now, you will need to go back and patch up!

              • For horses: Able to ‘do’ all of the things, but unable to maintain rhythm or relaxation
              • For riders: Jumping 90cm/3′ tracks but not understanding flexion and straightness

    Why Retraining Feels Harder

    Now, the elephant in the room (or in the post!). Retraining is often more challenging for riders. Which is why so many pay other people to do it for them! This is usually because retraining requires more time, consistency, and attention to detail and patterns.

    But I believe that retraining the horse without retraining the rider is doing a disservice to both! 

    Retraining requires you to have patience when old patterns, behaviors, or habits pop back up again. Because they will! It often requires you to have a strategy to unlearn before you can relearn. Or to help your horse do this. And it absolutely requires emotional awareness, for both you and your horse.

    Too many riders are trying to train their way through a retraining situation and end up stuck in the same cycle, over and over again.

    It’s like trying to follow a trail that you realise is going the wrong way. You’ve two choices: veer off into the dense bush in the hope that you eventually find the ‘right’ trail. Or backtrack a little until you find the real fork in the road, and then course correct from there. And look, I’m all for “bundu-bashing”!  But when working with horses, this is just making things so much more difficult for both of you!

    So, What Should You Do Next?

    I can bet that by now, you’ve likely got a gut feeling about whether your situation is training or retraining-related. So, now what?!  Here are 3 ways you can begin taking steps to get on the right path, so to speak:-

    1. Start Filming Your Rides

    Now, this is where I am going to 100% encourage you to invest in a Pivo! It is SUCH a fantastic tool you can use to make more out of each session with your horse. However, you can also simply use your phone on a fence post.  But remember, just videoing yourself isn’t enough. I want you to watch back over your rides as an observer, not a critic!

    Notice what comes up again and again.  Are you seeing frustration? Crookedness? Hesitation? Confusion? These are all clues as to the best way to begin approaching your unique situation. 

    You can get a 10% discount off your Pivo HERE (use coupon DailyStrides), and you can get my free resource to help you take videos that will actually be helpfulHERE

    2. Get Outside Feedback

    So often, riders get stuck because they are using their own mind (that is filled with limiting and downright ‘wrong’ thoughts and beliefs) to train them! If you’re stuck in your own head, nothing beats coaching.  Whether you have in-person lessons with a local instructor or trainer, or you go for virtual coaching…

    Working with a ‘professional’ is the quickest way to get back on the right path. Every quarter, I open limited spaces inside of Restart & Reschool, a 13-week private coaching program where you’ll get:

              • Private virtual lessons (using your Pivo or just your phone)
              • Weekly feedback on your riding and training
              • Video reviews between lessons so you can begin working more confidently alone
              • Personal support from me, Lorna, using a private chat that comes straight to my phone
              • A schedule and strategy that’s unique to you and fits your real life
              • Learn more at https://stridesforsuccess.com/rr

    3. Adjust Your Expectations

    Let’s be honest. Very often, this is the piece that’s missing when it comes to retraining. And this is true for both riders and horses. And it is often the reason things get stuck. Figure out if you have a training or retraining issue. If it’s retraining, identify what the past expectation might have been, and then compare that with the current expectations. Then work towards making that happen.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other Resources on This Topic:-

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • A Retraining Plan if Your Horse Rushes & Runs!

    A Retraining Plan if Your Horse Rushes & Runs!

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1343_A_Retraining_Plan_if_Your_Horse_Rushes1.mp3″ title=”A Retraining Plan if Your Horse Rushes and Races” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    While many people associate driving a Ferrari with happy things, most riders know that ‘riding’ the Ferrari of the yard is not that enjoyable at all! Riding a horse who rushes and runs everywhere is usually frustrating and challenging!

    And, assuming that you have ruled out physical issues, if your horse is rushing and racing, it’s time to focus on retraining.  This will not be an easy process, it will take time and patience on your part while you go right back to basics.  And it will require you to look at yourself and your horse.

    Start With You

    One of the frustrating elements of working with this challenge is that, often, your riding might actually be reinforcing your horse’s undesirable behaviour!  This is especially true if you’ve been riding this horse for longer than a few weeks or months.

    Take a moment to evaluate your riding position and aids – without judgment. Have you begun to ‘modify’ the basics of your position & posture because you’ve been riding a ‘rusher’ for some time?

    Are you gripping with your legs, leaning forward, or relying heavily on the reins?  This last one, especially, can all become ‘side-effects’ of riding a horse that rushes. And because all of these habits can signal tension to your horse, they actually often contribute to the rushing!  Start with yourself first and correct any issues there before turning your attention to your horse.

    Your Position & Posture

    Consistency through your aids is key when retraining a horse with ingrained habits. This is really difficult to achieve when your posture or position is working against you. Start with your posture; are you sitting tall with a secure seat and steady lower leg?

    From my own past experience with a ‘rushing’ pony, I found that my lower leg wanted to creep forward – all the time! This obviously affected everything; balance, posture, aids, ‘quietness’, etc..

    Working to correct this challenge took time, patience, and a commitment to focusing on myself.  Part of this was because of riding this way for so long, it felt ‘better’ that way! So, I had to not only physically retrain my lower leg, but also my mind and thoughts about what was ‘comfortable’.  Every time I moved my lower leg to where it should be, it felt awkward and uncomfortable. I think this took longer than the physical retraining! However, I managed to do it, so I’m pretty sure that you can as well and that it will be well worth the effort.

    Balance Your Aids

    Unfortunately, when a horse feels like it’s always running off with you, the natural tendency as a rider is to pull the horse to stop!  And, along with that forward lower leg, this means that, over time, riders can develop an overdependence on their rein aids. Coupled with little to no use of all of the other available aids!

    This over-reliance on the reins can lead to a “tug of war”.  And it only further reinforces the rushing and running behaviour.  It’s a vicious cycle!

    Again, this comes back to you and first changing your habits.  Aim to integrate all your aids, including seat, legs, voice, and weight, into your communication with your horse. By using your entire body, you can begin to more clearly explain things to your horse. And help your horse to begin changing as well.

    Transitions & Half-Halts

    Okay, so once you’re clear on what you’re doing in the saddle and have corrected any habits that need work, then you can turn your attention to your horse.  Start with simple transitions between walk and halt. Practice keeping these transitions light and relaxed.

    If you’ve been using one aid too heavily (usually the reins or hands), this is an opportunity to begin incorporating all of your aids into each ‘ask’ or ‘question’ you have for your horse.

    Think about creating and using softer, more synchronized, and holistic ways to ask the same question.  And keep in mind, if you have been riding a certain way for any length of time, your horse will need time to adjust to your new way of riding. Meaning that both of you will need time to adapt to doing things differently.

    Essentially you are both learning a different language when it comes to applying, understanding, and responding to aids. This will take time. 

    Simple School Movements

    Once you have begun to feel that there is a rhythm and understanding to this ‘new’ approach, you can start to test it by introducing basic school movements. Think about simple patterns such as serpentines, loops, or figure-eights to help both of you maintain focus and balance.

    These movements will help to keep your horse’s attention focused on the job at hand. And they will allow you to reinforce your ‘new’ aids while encouraging responsiveness.

    I am going to strongly suggest limiting things to walking and halting initially.  Think slow and steady for both rhythm and tension levels. The key here is to reinforce your more ‘holistic’ approach to your aids. All while your horse learns to enjoy working in a slower and more relaxed way. Clarity and control rather than speed!

    Focus on Quality

    Finally, while working on these simple school figures, notice the quality of the walk. The walk is a powerful gait for training. And if your horse has a habit of rushing, there’s a good chance that the walk might be choppy and tense.

    Think about encouraging a steady, four-beat rhythm.  Another way to think of this is to look for longer, more relaxed strides. Notice how your seat, especially, can help your horse to create this. 

    It seems so basic and simple, but being able to establish and maintain a good-quality walk with consistent rhythm and tempo will lay the foundation for so much more.  It will help both of you to ‘come back’ and work together, especially when you begin to introduce trot, and later canter, into your work.

    Progression to Other Gaits

    Finally, once you have reestablished your own position, posture, and aids. And your horse is willing and responsive to them, you can start to move up a gear or two.  This will simply involve working on the same exercises at the trot, and eventually the canter.  Keep it simple, but consistent.

    Remember, rushing is often a long-standing habit, so this process will take time. Control what you can first; you. And then help your horse to understand your ‘new’ way of using your aids. 

    When you give both of you the time to retrain those old habits they are more likely to stay.  The key is being able to maintain your ‘new’ way of going without reverting to the old habits and ways. Especially when things go off plan – which they will!

    Avoid Quick Fixes

    And a quick word of warning… Quick fixes rarely work in the long term.  Yes, often changing a piece of tack or equipment can sometimes yield a quick response… This response is usually a band-aid solution. At the first signs of pressure or stress, it will come off!

    Consider whether your horse’s rushing stems from fundamental training issues. A bit or noseband swap might offer temporary relief, but true improvement will come from consistent retraining.

    Remember, building lasting change takes time. Retraining both you and your horse to respond in calm, controlled ways requires patience. Expect setbacks, especially when new or unexpected situations arise. Over time, both of you will begin to default to these new, calmer responses—even when things go ‘sideways’!  This retraining process is the foundation of a lasting change that allows for safe, confident, and enjoyable rides.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Re-schooling Rushing Jumps on the Flat

    If you have been struggling with this challenge, the month of October 2024 in Daily Strides Premium is dedicated to working on this. This episode is the first lesson from a week of audio horse riding lessons titled “Re-Schooling the Basics for Both Horse & Rider on the Flat”.

    In this group of lessons, we begin working towards re-training a horse who is rushing fences by working on the basic aids, responsiveness and, equally as important, how the rider thinks.

    Remember, re-shooling a horse usually involves also re-training the rider to think and act differently as well.  The horse will respond better if the rider changes their approach and is consistently correct in what they are doing and asking…. These lessons will help you to develop better habits and responses.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Similar Episodes to Help with this Topic

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • What Your OTTB Believes About Contact Right Now…

    What Your OTTB Believes About Contact Right Now…

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1332_What_Does_Your__Horse_Believe_About_Contact_Right_Now.mp3″ title=”What Does Your OTTB Believe About Contact Right Now?” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    Contact is something so many riders want to achieve when working with their horses. However, it’s always worthwhile remembering that your horse was not born knowing how to be ridden.  This means that contact is something both of you must learn about and then refine through your work together.

    For many horses, the challenge is made even more difficult when they have been taught something completely different about contact because they had a previous career. Especially if that career was racing. 

    When working with horses, especially ex-racehorses or OTTBs, we need to understand that there will be both training and re-training involved.  And sometimes, the retraining can be a little more challenging than the training due to your horse wanting to ‘revert’.  Especially when they feel stressed or anxious.

    This episode is the first episode in a week of audio horse riding lessons from Daily Strides Premium. You can get all of the episodes and work on this topic with your horse at https://stridesforsuccess.com/dsp

    Start on the Lunge

    Tempting as it is to mount up, I suggest that you first try lunging instead. Lunging is great because it will give you the ability to help reframe the conversation for your horse. And for your horse to give you instant feedback you need to make adjustments that get results.

    Keep in mind, when you’re working with an OTTB, your horse has to relearn or reframe when he learned before – especially when it comes to contact and your seat.

    Both are usually quite different in how you would like him to engage with you when working together. There are a whole host of reasons for this. However, it all boils down to the same thing – you must start your retraining by reframing the expectations and conversations your horse has been having up to this point in his career.

    Re-Educate Your Horse To Your Aids

    One of the most common mistakes riders of OTTBs make is assuming that because your horse has been backed at some point, he knows all of the things. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Being ridden by two different riders practicing the same discipline can be confusing for a horse. When we add changing the discipline into the mix as well, you can see how wires can get crossed when it comes to aids and communication.

    A better way to approach this is to assume your horse knows nothing and start from the beginning again. Again, the lunge is a great place to do this for both of you. 

    And if you’re worried about how long this process will take, don’t. While re-training can sometimes be a little more time-intensive than straightforward training, so much can be achieved in each working session. Especially if you are intentional about what you’re doing and how you’re approaching each interaction.

    How to Get Going with Re-Training

    When you lunge with just a basic bridle, no fancy additions, you can begin to understand & reframe what your OTTB believes about the contact. Have the bit in his mouth. But no ‘pressure’ coming from the reins themselves, he can begin to explore this on his own.

    This is where well-fitted and good-quality side reins can come into their own. You want to get your horse going forward first without any contact. But then, you can simply engage the side-reins so that he can begin to explore the idea of the contact, without any pulling or fussing.

    This will begin to explain to your horse to go forward, on the lunge, with consistent contact that can begin to change what your OTTB believes about the contact. 

    It is also worth spending time here developing your voice aids. These will help greatly when you do mount up and are in the saddle. Your goal is to make things as easy for your horse to understand as possible. Again, the lunge will help you to do this easily.

    Mounting Up and Riding

    Make sure that you’re in a safe area. Again, keep in mind the expectations placed on him up to this point are vastly different from what you are now looking for.  This is why re-training can sometimes take a little longer. Your horse will naturally want to ‘go back’ to the original way of doing things. The original expectations.

    Being consistent with your approach to retraining your horse will help him to understand things have changed. 12 weeks of re-schooling done right can transform things for both of you. 

    There are no ‘quick fixes’ for redefining and overwriting what your OTTB believes about contact. It will take a commitment from you that will include patience, time, and compassion.

    What Your OTTB Believes About Contact

    If you would like step-by-step guidance on how to begin reframing this for your horse, I can help. Inside Daily Strides Premium, there are two weeks of audio horse riding lessons focused specifically on this. Get both the “Understanding Energy Creates Contact” and “Engaging the Energy in a Correct Channel” ready and waiting in there now.

    These 10 audio horse riding lessons, when coupled with the live calls and other training, will help you to transform your conversation with your horse, OTTB or not. 

    You can get all the details about Daily Strides Premium and join over at https://stridesforsuccess.com/dsp

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Other OTTB & Contact Episodes to Help You

    Online Training to Help Your Riding

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • 4 Things You MUST Re-Train with Your Retired Racehorse OTTB

    4 Things You MUST Re-Train with Your Retired Racehorse OTTB

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1226_4_Things_You_Must_Re-Train_with_Your_OTTB_Ex_Racehorse.mp3″ title=”4 Things You MUST Re-Train with Your Retired Racehorse” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”4 Things You Must Retrain with Your OTTB” hashtag=”retiredracehorse” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Ex-racehorse, a retired racehorse, OTTB; so many different names for a thoroughbred that has now begun their second (or third) career.  They are one of the most versatile breeds and, sadly, often one of the most misunderstood.

    I believe that there are 4 basic principles that you must work with your retired racehorse on, in order to set a foundation for everything else that follows.

    Being intentional about covering these 4 topics with your horse, regardless of how long they have left the track, will allow you to set your horse up for a wonderful 2nd or 3rd career.

    Expectations Have Changed

    It is easy to forget that, before coming to you, your OTTB has had many different expectations placed on him or her.  A lot of their current behavior is a result of this early and consistent conditioning they received while in training on the track.

    One of the greatest responsibilities we have when working with a retired racehorse is to help them understand that what’s now expected of them has changed. 

    It is also worth remembering that these changes are across the board.  Not just the whole ‘we no longer expect you to get from A to B as quickly as possible and before anyone else’ :)  You must find a way to explain what is acceptable behavior on the ground, in the stable, being led, and, of course, being ridden. And all of the other bits and pieces in between.

    Finding ways to explain the new ‘rules’ to your retired racehorse can be a challenge, especially when he does not understand your aids or ways of doing things. It requires time, consistency, and patience 

     1. Boundaries

    Boundaries are important in all successful and long-term relationships.  So it makes sense that they will also play a large part in your partnership with your retired racehorse. What is allowed, what is desired. And what is most certainly not!

    Before you begin explaining boundaries to your OTTB, I strongly suggest becoming clear with what you want (and, therefore, what you don’t want) first. 

    Is it acceptable for you if your horse walks around in circles while you are grooming and tacking up?  And what about mounting up? For many ex-racehorses, this would have been very common behavior while in training.  We pleasure riders, however, often don’t enjoy circling round and round!

    How about mounting up? Is it okay if your horse continues to walk while you mount up? Again, this is usually acceptable at the track – but not if you use a mounting block. 

     2. Aids

    The second big ‘re-training’ conversation you will definitely want to have with your retired racehorse is about aids.  His understanding of aids while at the racetrack will most likely be quite different to being a ‘riding horse’.

    I find it is key to pay particular attention to legs, seat, and weight aids when you are re-training your OTTB. The half-halt won’t work until he understands what you are saying and what you want him to do.

    So many riders complain that their retired racehorse ‘won’t listen’, or ‘runs away’ from their aids.  Is it possible that he simply does not understand what is being said?

    I find lunging to be invaluable when it comes to re-defining aids and understanding with OTTBs.  Couple this with very intentional use of the voice aids initially, and soon your horse will being to understand what it is that you want.

     3. Contact

    While contact is related to the above topic of your aids, it is important to realize that contact is also a principal in training. And to understand that your OTTB will probably have had a very different understand of contact when compared with yours.

    If the concept of contact has not been retrained or re-schooled with a retired racehorse, there tends to be a tendency towards heaviness and pulling.  Usually every time the rider picks up the contact. 

    Obviously, this is not what we want.  Who wants to be hauled on each time you try to start the conversation with your horse?! And yet, so many riders fail to devote the necessary focus and time on this with their OTTB.

    If you want to develop your retired racehorse correctly, the topic of contact will have to be redefined.  This is where correct retraining is essential.

    4. Leaving the Herd

    This is the one that many riders forget about when working with their thoroughbred in their new career.  And it is the one that can have pretty startling consequences if not visited early in his retraining! So many riders have a negative perception of retired racehorses due to this not being dealt with correctly.

    For most of his life, up to this point, your thoroughbred will have had ‘stay with the herd’ reinforced, both intentionally and not. Both at the stables and on the track… Stay with the herd.

    So it makes sense that if he finds himself either being ‘left behind’ while on the trail with his new pleasure rider, he will do all in his power to catch up!  The same applies if he is asked to leave the herd to go into a different arena (maybe for a round of jumping, or a dressage test!).

    In order to retrain your horse to leave the herd, he must become happy to be with you.  This is where trust becomes so important. Are you safe to stay with?

    When Pressure is Applied

    The final thing I want to mention is that all of the above 4 topics can ‘seem’ to have been dealt with.  It can look like your horse has been retrained when the circumstances are ideal.  However, this may not be the case.

    True retraining has occurred if your horse can maintain the ‘new’ way of doing things when the situation is not going to plan.  When either one of you, or both of you, feels under pressure.

    If your horse can maintain the ‘new’ ways of doing things, then, yes, you have successfully retrained him.  However, if you are grooming your horse in the stable, only for him to see the other horses leave the stables already – and then proceed to walk anxious circles around you.  Well, there’s still work to do :)

    Re-training your retired racehorse takes time, consistency, patience, compassion, and focus.

    And, it is one of the most rewarding relationships you can be gifted with as a rider.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Extra Help for Riders

  • Setting Your OTTB Up for Success Off the Track

    Setting Your OTTB Up for Success Off the Track

    Setting Your OTTB up for Success off the Track

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Starting from the beginning
    • Relaxation is worth taking the time to nurture
    • Sometimes it is better to ‘allow’
    • Developing your leg and seat aids

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1044-Setting-Up-Your-OTTB-for-Success.mp3″ title=”Setting Up your OTTB for Success Off the Track” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Do you have a special OTTB, retired racehorse, in your life that you want to work with?” hashtag=”equestrian #podcast #OTTB #RetiredRacehorse” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    Are you part of a special group of riders, which includes me, from around the world who have taken on the responsibility of helping a OTTB, a retired racehorse, get started on their new career?

    This episode is focused a brief overview of how I suggest you can get started with them on this exciting journey.  It is worth noting that all horses are different, and being a sensitive soul, your OTTB may take more or less time than others to make the transition to ‘riding horse’.  Give him the time.  It will be well worth the investment in the end. 

    Starting from the Beginning

    Before we go any further, it is important to recognise that some OTTBs need more ‘down time’ than others in order to make a successful transition. 

    I feel it is your job as the rider, person in charge, to assess each horse on where they are and make decision based on this.  Some horses do better with a few months of just ‘being a horse’.  Others, enjoy work and can easily cope with coming straight from the track and starting their new career.

    The horses welfare should always lead your decision here.  Do what is best for each unique OTTB you meet.  A cookie cutter approach will rarely work in this situation!

    Finally, before you start working with your horse I strongly suggest a visit from all the relative professionals.  A farrier who can help you work towards some longer term goals with your horses feet might be essential.  A dentist.  A chiropractor.  A vet…  Many people have the horses bloods done, but again, you know you and your situation best.

    Relaxation is Worth Nurturing

    When we ride, we tend to look at relaxation as being a physical aspect of our riding and our horses way of going.  However, relaxation is often more about what is going on mental and emotionally.  This is especially true when it comes to your OTTB.

    Use groundwork to begin increasing the relaxation in your horses mental state.  Start with short intervals and build up slowly; only doing what your horse enjoys. 

    When in the saddle, try to use you horses natural instincts to help promote relaxation throughout the ride.  OTTBs are used to working with other horses.  Having another, calm schoolmaster, in the arena with your horse while you work him will help him to feel more secure. 

    Relaxation is very much built on trust and confidence.  Until you have built this with your OTTB, allow another horse to help you first.

    Confidence and It’s Direct Impact on Relaxation

    This ‘head chatter’ can also have a direct impact on your confidence and your horses confidence.  I want you to think about something you do, which you are good at.  You have a level of confidence about it, which leads to a physical ‘ease’.  The task itself might not be easy, however you are almost flowing with it.

    The fact remains that very often the confidence issue can often be introduced by the rider.  Perhaps you are thinking about yesterdays ride.  Or maybe you are thinking about what ‘could’ go wrong.  Every time you get into the saddle, it is a whole new ride.  A clean slate.  Keep your focus on that fact and allow it to help you build confidence.

    Sometimes it is Better to ‘Allow’

    During your initial rides with your OTTB, the first three months or so, relaxation might be difficult to sustain.  You may find that your horse can become anxious or stressed when new ‘ideas’ are introduced.  Alternatively, your horse might just enjoy being ridden and excitement causes a little too much excess tension!

    Often ‘allowing’ your horse on a little can be a perfect remedy to this. 

    Keep in mind that this is done in a safe area, where you are confident of the outcome.  If so, allowing him on a little can help to relieve pressure from him.

    It also allows you, the rider, to ‘disengage’ with ‘controlling the situation.  You cannot control everything; all you can do is control yourself and hope to influence the horse. 

    As you both learn to understand each other more, you will find that overall relaxation increases.  Your OTTB will be reassured in other ways, and you will feel less of a need to control everything!

    Developing Your Leg and Seat Aids

    This understanding comes from better communication; meaning clearer aids.  Many riders when they first get on their OTTB focus too much on their seat aids, and too little on establishing their leg aids.

    Your OTTB needs to learn what your legs are.  He needs to learn that they are not to be feared or run away from.  The program in his head needs to be reset. 

    Again, this cannot be achieved without relaxation being present.  Perhaps taking a walk with your horse out of the arena will help your horse relax, while you introduce your leg aids.

    Using Your Voice Aid to Help You Both

    I already mentioned ground work, and one the reasons groundwork can be so powerful when it comes to your riding, is through your voice.

    Talk to your horse.  He probably won’t know what you are saying, but rather, he will pay attention to how you are saying it.  Your Tone.

    When your horse becomes used to your voice, working with him on the ground, it makes the transition to using all your aids in the saddle a much easier one.  ‘Woah’ and ‘Walk On’ now have a new aid to back them up.

    The plus side of this is that because you are talking, you are breathing.  Meaning that you are getting all important oxygen to your muscles, keeping them supple and soft.

    Breathing releases tension in the rider, which has a mirroring effect in the horse. 

    What You Are Saying is For You

    Like I said, he won’t really understand what you are saying, but how you are saying it.  What you are saying is for you.

    Talk out what you want to happen.  Tell yourself, out loud, the story of how this ride will go.  It will help not only focus you, but also keep you relaxed. 

    Over time, this added aid will help your OTTB to build trust and confidence in you as a rider.  It will help the transition over to this new ‘Balance of aids’ you are now asking him to communicate through.  And, it will help him trust you more each and every day.

    OTTBs require consistent dedication.  They require compassion.  But most of all, they require someone who is committed to helping them transition to their new career.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-

  • Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to Your Leg

    Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to Your Leg

    Reschooling a Horse that is Dead to the Leg

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Figuring out why your horse is dead to the leg
    • Committing to consistency going forward
    • Creating a ‘rule’
    • Refining your ‘rule’

    We have all been there.   You are in the saddle on your horse, you are riding away – you apply your leg, and … NOTHING.  He is just completely ignoring everything, and you must resort to these huge kicks.  Oh yes, the horse that is dead to the leg.

    It is extremely frustrating, because you know the key to everything is forwardness, but you just cannot get into first gear to get any forwardness happening.  Why does this happen?

    Figuring out why your horse is like this

    There are a couple of reasons, and today I want to touch on the three main ones that I see happening time when dealing with a horse who is dead to the leg.

    1.  Some horses are just more ‘docile’ than others.  They are laid back and not really concerned about how fast they can go or how high they can jump.  They like to take life nice and easy, and take you the rider with them!  Of the three we are going to talk about today, this is probably the smallest group of horses.
    2. Lack of Consistency.  By this I mean the lack of consistency as a rider.  One day the rider is in the saddle and focused on schooling and responsiveness.  They have expectations of their horse based on what they are doing that day.   The ‘lack’ comes in when the next day, they just take it easy and let the horse do whatever they want.  Not really caring what is going on with the legs or any other aid.  This can lead the horse to become a little confused, or rather he thinks the rider is confused!  He then just decides to ignore all further directions coming from the legs of the rider in the saddle.  This is how a lack of consistency can cause a horse to be dead to the leg.
    3. Consistently doing the ‘wrong things’ in the saddle.   I am referring to a rider who is consistently banging and moving about in the saddle.  Many riders are up there and have no control over their body.  They are slapping their legs, and moving and wiggling and shaking…  The horse just never knows if that was a speed wobble from the rider, or if it was an actual aid.  So again, the horse decides to do nothing.  I personally think that this is the most common cause of horses to become dead to the leg.   It is also worth keep in mind that it may not have been you that has trained the horse this way.  This potentially happened long before you met or rode your horse, when somebody else was riding your horse.

    The third point is seen a lot in riding school ponies – bless their souls!  Because there is that consistent nagging (slap slap, bang bang, slap slap) going on from rider’s legs on their sides, which they have learned to ignore.

    However, when you get a rider who wants to communicate, well, they ignore it as well unless the rider makes it quite clear that they are open to having a real conversation, rather than just banging and shouting at the horse.

    This not only happens with riding school ponies, but you also get all sorts of horses that just over time have been exposed to riding in that way, and therefore their default method of ‘staying sane’, is to ignore the rider.

    Whatever the reason is – and I think it is important to understand what the reason is with your horse – we now must start looking at how we can turn things around.

    Committing to consistency going forward

    Firstly, we should commit to consistency going forward, but it must be doing the right kind of things consistently in order for this to work .  What we are looking for here, is that every time you are on your horse, you are consistent in how you are ask or communicate.

    Gone are the days where one day you are so strict and you want everything to be so refined and perfect, and then the next day you just let your horse do whatever he wants.  There must be a consistency from you the rider, to improve your horses responsiveness. This is particularly true when to reschool a horse to listen and respond to the leg aids again.

    Creating a ‘rule’

    In order for you and your horse to know where you stand with each other, you need ‘rules’.  The way I would go about creating a rule in this situation, is using a schooling whip.  I prefer a schooling whip over perhaps a jumping crop or a shorter whip, so that when you apply the aid, your hands do not have to come off the reins and break the contact.

    The reason we would use our stick is to remind our horse that, “Yes, I just used my leg, and that means please respect my leg and respond”. 

    How I would use this is that when you put your leg on and your horse ignores it, immediately give just a tap behind your leg.  The timing is everything here, it must be immediate so your horse begins to see the connection.

    The schooling while is almost like the way a teacher would use a pointer in the classroom, to point something out on the board. Or bring the classes attention to something specific.

    You are going to use the stick to tap behind your leg.  This is key.  Not the shoulder, not the hindquarters, not behind your thigh, it must be behind your lower leg where you are applying the aid that he has just ignored.

    It is also important that you always give the option of the leg first, otherwise it does become like ‘beating’ the horse.  By doing this you are saying to your horse, “Excuse me, I just said something and you ignored me – can you please answer me”.

    In my experience, it usually takes no more than three to four times before the horse starts to listen to the leg.  He realises there is a consequence.  A direct reaction to their inaction.  This is where the consistency on your part comes in.

    You say leg, he doesn’t respond, you respond straight away with the tap with the schooling stick.  That is how you create the rule.

    Refining Your ‘Rule’

    Over time, you will obviously need to start refining the rule.  It is not practical to have a schooling whip with you all the time, reminding, reminding, reminding!

    How you will begin doing this is by again applying the leg but initially asking with a slightly stronger leg aid than what you would normally do.  This could be applying more pressure, or it could be an actual kick with your leg.

    Over time as you are refining it, you are more using the muscles in your leg, and it becomes about varying amounts of pressure.  More of where you want it to be.  The secret conversation, as opposed to Pony Club.

    Remember, as you are refining it, it is going to become softer and gentler.

    Allowing Your Horse To Respond

    The final piece when reschooling a horse who is dead to your leg, is that when you ask your horse to go forward, you must allow your horse to then go forward.  So many people will ask for forward, and as soon as the horse goes forward, they then shut the whole thing down.

    This could be a conscious (I don’t want him to ‘run’) or a subconscious (I don’t want to be run away with) reaction.  Whatever the reason, if you keep asking and then changing your mind, your horse will begin ignoring you again.

    Because we are reschooling here, and he must respect what you are saying, you must then follow through with allowing him to complete whatever task you asked him to do.  This comes into not only forwardness, but if you are asking for lateral work or whatever else you may be asking.

    You must allow and facilitate that happening underneath your saddle, for it to become a new, and better way of you and your horse talking to each other.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Links mentioned in the episode:-