How to Train Your Thoroughbred Horse

When their racing careers are over, most Thoroughbreds can be trained as sporthorses.

Thoroughbred horses are bred to race, but many of their racing careers are over by the time they are two or three years old. With many years ahead of them, it is common for equestrians from other disciplines to retrain these horses to excel away from the race track. Because they are extremely athletic, with the proper training, Thoroughbreds are often well suited for sporthorse disciplines such as dressage, eventing or jumpers.

Things You'll Need

• Horse
• Round pen
• Lunge line
• Surcingle
• Side reins
• Protective leg wraps or boots
• Thick saddle pad
• Girth with elastic on both ends
• Saddle
• Bridle
• Arena

Instructions

1. Give your horse a break. Many Thoroughbreds undergo physical and mental strain on the race track. Before exploring a new career, it is important to give them a 45-60 day break to allow them to adjust to life away from the track. Use this time to flush any drugs from their system, assess their health and adjust their nutrition plan.

2. Teach the horse ground manners. Most Thoroughbreds were not taught the basics of grooming, standing in cross ties or walking calmly on a lead line. These skills are essential for a successful transition into a new career. Remain calm and assert your space when working on ground manners. Take your time with this step, as it sets the foundation of all future training. It could takes weeks before your Thoroughbred demonstrates proper ground manners.

3. Work in the round pen. Many Thoroughbreds are one-sided, meaning they are more comfortable working in one direction. Round pen work will teach them to use neglected back and neck muscles and bend in both directions. Protect their legs with splint boots or polo wraps and use a surcingle with side reins loosely attached. Attach the lunge line and stand quietly in the center of the pen. Do plenty of work at the walk and trot, which are often unfamiliar working gaits for Thoroughbreds. Do not move on until the horse properly demonstrates her ability to move forward and stretch down.

4. Introduce your tack. Most Thoroughbreds are accustomed to extremely light racing saddles so you need to gently transition to a heavier English saddle. Use a thick saddle pad and a girth with elastic on both ends to ease the transition. Allow your horse to adjust to this new saddle and bridle on the lunge line before working under saddle.

5. Work your horse under saddle. Thoroughbreds are often not accustomed to a rider mounting while they stand still. Have someone hold your horse as you mount from a mounting block. Gradually work up to mounting without help, but be sure your horse stands still. Feeling a rider's leg on both sides will be a new sensation for your horse. Allow him time to understand this new aid. Keep his attention by working on circles, serpentines and halt transitions.

6. Introduce cavaletti. Regardless of the discipline you are moving the Thoroughbred into, cavaletti work will help develop their topline muscles and maintain their attention while they work under saddle. Cavaletti work will also help the rider assess the horse's aptitude for a particular discipline, her mindset and work ethic.

7. Assess the horse's strengths and choose a discipline. At this point, you will be aware of your Thoroughbred's trainability, mind set and aptitude for the English disciplines. If your horse demonstrates natural suspension, consider dressage. If your horse is fearless and able to perform with endurance, perhaps eventing or the jumper ring is the best discipline. If your horse moves with straight legs and has an easy going attitude, maybe he is suited for the hunter ring. Whichever way you go, the foundational training remains the same.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to have a vet access the horse's health prior to moving him into a new career.

• Take the time to improve your horse's hoof health prior to working in the round pen, as many Thoroughbreds are sore after racing.

• If you have not trained a Thoroughbred before, seek the assistance of an educated and experienced trainer.

• Always exercise patience with your Thoroughbred. It may take quite a while to train them in a new discipline.

• Many Thoroughbreds will have hormones or steroids in their system when they come off the track. They may exhibit dangerous or skittish behavior while these substances are purged. Always be on guard, but remain calm while working with your horse during the detox process.

References

• Tranqulity Farms Thoroughbreds: Retraining a former racehorse