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WIWe’ve heard more than once, from people who have purchased a horse directly off the track, how frustrated they feel in those early days 😔
“My horse doesn’t stand at the mounting block” 😡
“My horse leans into any pressure” 😭
“My horse is NOT desensitized to ANYTHING like I though he’d be” 😬
“This horse doesn’t know anything!” 😡
And while this is part of the reason we advocate so much for the importance of aftercare (you’d be surprised the difference in handleability comparing a direct off track and one’s that been being handled for months post racing!). And, even still, they require a home committed to many more months and years of honed training.
But something that’s important to remember (across the board), regardless of how you and your OTTB came to be, is this…
Much of what you want is the OPPOSITE of what they’ve learned. They are often mounted at the walk, not asked to patiently wait calmly for you, as an example before we’ve even started under saddle.
It’s not that they “don’t know anything” (which would entail a blank canvas)… it’s one step further than that… you are asking them to do, in some cases, the polar opposite of what was required of them at the track, and in their track training.
Imagine training for a job, feeling like you’re getting the hang of it, and then, rather abruptly, under new supervision, everything you’re doing is now, suddenly, “wrong”.
✔️Look for the good.
✔️Reward the tries.
✔️Positively enforce OFTEN.
Thoroughbreds are highly intelligent and incredibly capable and versatile… but they REQUIRE an understanding partner… a gentle leader… an thoughtful guide.
#ottbsofinstagram #ottbofinstagram #horsegirl #ottb #ottbs #ottblove #ottbdressage #ottbsrock #ottbsdoitbetter #ottbtraining #adoptahorse #positivereinforcementhorsetraining #positivereinforcement #ethicalhorsemanship #positivehorsemanship
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![#Ottb Training Reel by @todaywithgus - it's not an act of love if you make [them]
#todaywithgus #ottb #blackbeauty #thoroughbred #horsetraining #horsemanship #beautifulhorse #horsestagram](https://image.pictame.com/img/475455380_3420890568044484_7970066248716749393_n.jpg?hash=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)
