a ex race horse is a hand full to ride

Question
my neighbor has a horse that is a big hand full we have tried every thing and this horse wont budge it runs to fast even though we try to slow him down him down he goes faster any advice.

Answer
How old is he? How long has he been off the track? What are you feeding him?

A race horse needs the same amount of time as it took him to be a race horse, if not more, to train for his new career. That horse was trained from a yearling through it's racing career to be fast, so he is only doing what he is trained to do. Some race horses never really lose that edge, but many have been successfully made into trail horses, show horses, hunt horses or even cart horses.

Each horse needs to be approached based on his individual experience. I usually suggest at least a year out in the pasture before teaching him new tricks. Make sure he is on little or no grain and free choice hay/grass at all times. This will get his energy down. Practice riding him in a small paddock. Make him relax and walk. Do this for a while until you feel he is responding to you. You will need to train this horse everyday if possible to make him learn new habits. Bringing the horse out once in a while, will not get you anywhere. He needs a routine of walking and walking. It's really hard to tell what this horse really needs without getting on him myself, but I hope this gives you some help.


Christopher Crocker

Crocker Racing Stable Inc.
and <a href="http://CrockerRacingStable.com">Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships</a>