| Dressage is an equestrian sport and art that involves a | | | | sensitivity will pick up on a rider's inconsistencies. Each |
| series of movements to create a balanced and | | | | horse learns differently, and it is important to discover |
| ride-able horse. The first writings of dressage date | | | | how your individual horse learns best. One OTTB we |
| back to Xenophon around 400 BC. Dressage today | | | | retrained could not figure out how to trot. We began |
| has evolved into a highly competitive sport with | | | | trotting him out with another horse, and he readily |
| expensive, well bred horses competing for titles | | | | picked it up. Thoroughbreds on the track often work |
| worldwide. When most people consider a suitable | | | | with another horse, and this method proved useful for |
| dressage mount, a warmblood or warmblood cross is | | | | this horse. We have worked with others that did not |
| the first choice. However, off track Thoroughbreds | | | | like the distraction of another horse close to them. It is |
| (OTTBs) make willing, suitable dressage partners. We | | | | important to help the horse transition the work on the |
| will look at some of the considerations necessary in | | | | longe to work under saddle. Kicking a horse in the ribs |
| retraining an OTTB for dressage sport. | | | | is not the universal horse code for "go". It is a learned |
| Every year, the racing industry has tens of thousands | | | | response. Because OTTBs are not ever ridden with |
| of off track Thoroughbreds looking for new homes | | | | leg aids, they must learn how to react to the leg and |
| when their racing careers were not lucrative. With the | | | | seat. They do, however, have a sensitivity to weight |
| broad availability of off track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), | | | | aids, as that is the main aid a jockey uses to |
| their inexpensive purchase price, and their proven | | | | communicate with them. |
| athleticism, these off track Thoroughbreds can be | | | | We have found that you may spend as much as a |
| retrained for second careers in many sports, including | | | | year or two in getting your horse to comfortably adapt |
| dressage. Retraining these Thoroughbreds takes time, | | | | to his new life. The first year, groundwork, general |
| patience, and understanding. | | | | handling, and basic under saddle work are the focus of |
| Career Thoroughbreds have lived a relatively narrow | | | | training. In the second year, outings to schooling |
| existence on the racetrack. Their days are very | | | | horseshows are an excellent way to judge how your |
| repetitive and they do not have opportunity to spend | | | | horse will handle a show scenario. Some horses |
| much time just "being a horse". When you first start | | | | develop much faster than this guideline. That is a |
| working with an OTTB, it is important to give them | | | | bonus! As the trainer, it is important to train at the |
| several months of let-down time so they can | | | | horse's rate of learning to avoid stress that might |
| reacquire some of their natural activities, such as | | | | trigger his flight tendency. Thoroughbreds are resilient |
| grazing with pasture mates. Many Thoroughbreds | | | | horses, and have useful competitive careers well into |
| have various drugs or hormones in their system, and it | | | | their teens. Many are not in their prime until their early |
| is important for their body to flush these out before | | | | teens. It is not generally a problem if you have one that |
| serious training can begin. | | | | is slow to bloom due to their long, useful life. |
| As with any green horse, building a solid foundation | | | | Off Track Thoroughbreds make suitable dressage |
| from the basics is critical. We do most of the initial | | | | mounts for adult amatures and even some youth. |
| work from the longe. This allows the trainer to develop | | | | However, it is very important to have a trainer that |
| herd dominance over the horse and allows the horse | | | | you work with regularly that understands |
| to begin learning his new balance without the weight of | | | | Thoroughbreds. Their intelligence and sensitivity create |
| a rider. Thoroughbreds are bred to run, and generally | | | | a partner that is willing, but intolerant of rough handling. |
| this is their first inclination when faced with conflict or | | | | You must be firm but fair. |
| stress. For this reason, it is best to begin your longe | | | | Lateral work comes easily for most OTTBs with |
| work in an enclosed area such as a round pen. An | | | | which we have worked. Longitudinal ("roundness") and |
| enclosure will help prevent injury for the trainer or the | | | | lateral ("bending") suppleness does not. The schooling |
| horse. | | | | figures of dressage are very beneficial to the athletic |
| Thoroughbreds on the track only have to possess a | | | | development and suppleness of these OTTBs. With |
| few physical skills: break from the gate fast, run fast | | | | the development of longitudinal flexibility in the horse, it |
| and straight, come to a slow stop eventually. In | | | | is important to start flexibility within the gaits early on. A |
| contrast, the sport of dressage requires much more in | | | | dressage horse must have three or four balances |
| the way of longitudinal and lateral flexibility, | | | | within each gait: working, collected, medium, extended. |
| concentration, and obedience. Most Thoroughbreds on | | | | Asking for these transitions within gaits early on helps |
| the track spend little time trotting, and this gait will need | | | | develop flexibility. You do not have to master every |
| development in your dressage partner. The | | | | requirement at Training Level before you begin |
| Thoroughbred's naturally balanced canter is an asset, | | | | schooling First Level. Instead, you should employ the |
| and the trot is the easiest gait to improve. | | | | dressage exercises that will improve the horse. |
| Initial work under saddle should consist of the same | | | | Training an off track Thoroughbred for dressage is not |
| activities any green horse would need. Because | | | | much different than training other breeds for dressage. |
| Thoroughbreds tend to be very sensitive, and at times, | | | | The first year or two is the biggest difference |
| high strung, it is important to keep work sessions low | | | | because it is necessary to recondition the horse to a |
| key and without tension. Thoroughbreds learn rapidly | | | | life off the track. With care and concern for the horse, |
| and retain lessons well, but they stop thinking clearly | | | | and a sympathetic trainer that understands |
| when stressed. They begin looking for a flight path. It is | | | | Thoroughbreds, you can achieve many goals with an |
| important to switch off exercises when this tension | | | | OTTB in dressage competition. |
| builds. Be sure your aids are not conflicting, as their | | | | |