From Race Track to Western Pleasure

Question
QUESTION: I was given a 2 year old never handled, never broken, newly gelded, Thoroughbred, that against my better judgement but out of my hands, was sent to the race track for only 2 months of "Race Training", and was then pulled off the track. I was able to move him to a barn near me where he is training to be a Western Pleasure riding horse which is what I wanted from the beginning. Although I have ridden many horses in my life, I would not consider myself an expert and I will admit that at times I am scared and this is the first time I have ever owned a horse. I do have a trainer and he is helpful. It's hard to know what question to start with. My horse is barely 3 1/2 now I have had him at this barn now for just over a year.I have done lots of ground work but still he is so easily spooked and does not like the bridle either. I am using a hackamore because he was mistreated with the bit while at the track. Please help me try to read this horse.

ANSWER: Hi Shirl!

This is not how you start a colt.  Just because he was raced, or they tried to race him does not mean he has had a good start.  Never try and go through something bad and come out good, stop and start over.

You have to go back to the beginning with this colt.  At 3 1/2, this is when I am just starting them.  Where is the "trainer" in all of this????  This just makes me crazy.  What are you doing to start this colt.  You can't just pile on a horse and expect that he knows what to do!  He has never been taught WHAT to do and how to do it.  Your ground work is not meaningful to this horse.  What are you calling "ground work"?  I hear things like he has been at the same barn for a year and is still easily spooked, doesn't like the bridle...YIKES!!!  Here goes my blood pressure again!  

This poor horse is all alone.  He doesn't have a leader he can trust and no one is showing him the way.  Sad.   Shirl, you will have to make some big changes here because this is NOT the horses problem.  I hope you have read some of my past answers, because I'm not going to sugar coat this for you.  Your "trainer" is no kind of horseman at all.  Fire him or her.  He is clueless about the horse, period.  If this is your horse, it is up to you to educate yourself and find the quality answers.  I'll help you if you are willing and you can put you ego aside.  This is a human problem.   I have owned and handled ex-race horses and yes, they can come with some baggage.  The track is the most abusive place a horse can EVER go.  I would love to see a complete end to the whole industry.  However, you can get past this stuff.  Your horse spooks because the humans in his life do not offer him any security, direction or support.  

The horse has a need for self-preservation in mind, body and spirit.  This is the essential nature of the horse, the nature that the horseman tries to use and not fight.  Shirl, you have to educate yourself in order to help your horse.  You are not getting any of the correct help from the "trainer".  He is lost and so are you.  Lets get you the help you need.  Here is how:  I want you to watch the "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman and read the little "Ground Work" book by Buck as well.  This will show you the basics of the Buckaroo/Vaquero style of horsemanship, what the "Natural Horsemanship" was based on.  This is what you must learn yourself and teach your horse.  THERE is NO easy answer to starting a colt.  Did you read my past answers on colt starting?  I have written quite a little bit on the subject.  If you have some sort of basic knowledge of the ground work and colt starting, I can help you through and refine some things, but you have to invest in learning the basics first.  There is just too much to learn for me to start trying to write it all for you here.  It is the same as asking me to tell you how to build a house from the ground up.  You need to do some research, and that is why I want you to watch Buck's DVD and read the book.  Doing this puts us on the same page, but you gotta start with something!!!

Watch the DVD, it is about 2 hours long and Buck starts a colt and goes from haltering to saddling.  I think you also need to attend a colt starting clinic.  In four days with one of my teachers you will be riding this colt with quality.  Have you ever worked with a flag/tarp/slicker?   Using a flag correctly, is the best thing to help the horse build confidence.  However, you have to know how to help this colt and that depends on your feel, timing and balance.  When you watch the DVD you will SEE how MUCH there is to starting a colt with quality.  The best thing for you is to find a clinic with Buck or Ricky Quinn.  Ricky will still ride colts on the road and from the sounds of it, this may be just the thing for you.  

In the mean time, get yourself a good rope halter with a 12' tree line lead, I like double diamond and you can find them on the web.  Now, stay OFF this horse until you teach him how to yield his hind quarters, get his front quarters to come through, he can walk a 10 meter circle around you with all four feet operating evenly, you can back straight and soft, back circles with the front foot reaching out and back, use your flag on your horse with confidence while he is standing still and walking and with him OFFERING to stand still and NOT being MADE to stand still,  you can lead him by on the fence and flag him from above, you can lead him by the front feet and stop him off the hind foot, he can pack a lass rope on his belly and flanks, and THIS is just for starters!  When you can do these little things, your horses mind will change and really YOU Shirl will change.  You will start developing into a leader your horse can trust.

So, you have some homework to do.  Attending a clinic and getting some first hand help would be ideal and even if that happens, I still want you to watch the DVD and read the ground work book, it is tiny and only the important information is in it, no fluff.  Then, go to my website and start working your way through the resource list I have posted there.  Really, this is where it starts for all of us.  I had to walk a long and lonely road when I was just learning all of this.  I glad I am here to give you a helping hand and point you in the right direction.  You can do this!

You care about your horse.  After all you are his only voice, his only advocate.  If you learn how to be a great horsewoman, he will be a great horse.  You are in this together!  Do your homework and then give me a shout and we will work through some of the specific issues that you are having.  This is a wonderful journey, enjoy it.  I'm here to help.

Smiles, Denise

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am having a hard time locating the Buck Brannaman Ground Work book & DVD that you suggested I read and watch. HELP!! Need acurate website for computer inliterate person but trying.In going to what I thought was his website it showed two other books but nothing of this particular one. I am wanting to do my homework as suggested. Also, I am making much better progress because of one thing that you suggested and that is the basic - I'm the leader and he is the horse. I repeat this everyday and I do not treat him like my pet but a "horse". Thanks for that info as that in itself has allowed me the willpower to make improvements elsewhere with my soon to be 4 yr old gelding and in my relationship with our trainer. shirl

Answer
Hi Shirl!

BRAVO for YOU!!!  I'm so pleased that you are looking and hunting for the quality answers.  It shows a lot of guts and a lot of try.  

Go to www.lostbuckaroo.com they will carry Bucks DVD as well as the "Turning Loose" DVD by Ray Hunt.  You can also go to www.houlihanhorsegear.com  This is Mary Brannaman's site and the online store for all of Buck's gear.  You can also go to Eclectic Horseman Magazine, a wonderful publication and very helpful, at www.eclictic-horseman.com and check out their online store.  They carry most all of the really good, quality DVD's by the best horsemen out there.  I have links to most of these places from my website at www.laurelmountainfarms.com  look on the "favorites" page.

How are things going with your horse?  I know I was hoping that you could watch the "Ground Work" DVD and we could start stepping through the process of getting a good start on this colt.  Going to a colt starting clinic with Buck or Ricky would also be a great idea for you.  Check out Buck's schedule at www.brannaman.com  and Ricky's schedule at www.rickyquinnclinics.com  Ricky is one of the only guys traveling now that will actually ride your horse for you.  It is such a gift and a huge risk for him to still do this.  I would take advantage of the opportunity before he quits riding horses on the road.  All of the good clinicians eventually stop.  It is just too dangerous.  They all do it at the beginning of their careers, at least the good ones do.  It allows them to learn, teach, share with everyone watching and you have to go out on a limb and ride hundreds of horses to really hone your skill. It is, sadly, a short lived process.  Getting a horse good in 4 days is really a huge accomplishment.  For where you are in your skills, and where this horse has been, this may be a really great option for you.

Keep me posted Shirl!  Let me know if you need more help finding  the information.  I really want this in you hands and in your BRAIN!  I want you really working at getting this horse to hook on, yield hind quarters, be comfortable with a flag/tarp/slicker, and a lass rope.  Keep asking questions, that is what I'm here for!

Smiles!

Denise