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Tag: retraining racehorses

An Elastic Connection

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on March 14, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

I’m working to entice Stevie to reach to an elastic contact.  This is the beginning of developing a new connection between Stevie and the rider.  When he does reach and make contact with the bit, because I am soft and elastic, there is room for him to continue moving his body to walk or trot. …

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The First Signs of Self Carriage

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on March 2, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

Stevie begins more serious work in the arena.  I want him to stretch, but in order for him to stretch over his top line, he must find balance.  Notice his hocks are coming under now instead of trailing out behind him.  Although his pace is slow, it’s as fast as he can go at this …

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Learning to deal with Challenges

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on February 6, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

It’s windy and cold and he thinks he knows how to do this because he learned some things yesterday.  Stevie is a people pleaser and very generous.  He gives me his all when I just want 5% of his effort but that’s a Thoroughbred for you! He’s ready to go from the start and I …

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First Trot on the Lunge Line

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on February 5, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

We begin the trot on the lunge line.  I could ride him at the trot initially and help him find balance on a circles but this would add the burden of my weight making it physically more difficult for him.  It would also make him dependent on me for balance. I want Stevie to learn …

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Days 6 and 7 riding Stevis Man

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on January 11, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

1/10/2023 – Our Sixth Ride – This is the first time I do not prep him with lunge at the walk before riding him.   I work the poles on the ground to present a small challenge that I believe he can handle. Applying a little pressure and seeing how he handles it will prep …

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Days 4 and 5, riding Stevis Man

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on January 5, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

01/05/2023 – Our Fourth Ride. – In the beginning of the ride I begin gentle neck suppling. Racehorses are almost always very tight in their neck and their poll as Stevie is. Throughout the ride, I do not care where he puts his head. I don’t want to restrict his movement or his body. I …

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And the Riding Begins for Stevis Man

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on January 2, 2023March 14, 2023No Comments

01/02/2023 – The video below is Stevis Man/Stevie’s and my first ride. It’s the entire ride except for mounting him. I always have someone stand in front of them and feed them a peppermint at the mounting block because I know they are used to having a leg up. It helps keep them calm. The …

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Overview of the first few weeks

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on December 15, 2022March 20, 2023No Comments

Each horse is different, and we act accordingly, but there are some basics we tend to follow with each one of them. The first thing we do when a horse arrives from racing is to allow him to settle into the new routine. The more the horse can count on a schedule or routine, the …

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The One and Only Stevis Man

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on November 25, 2022March 20, 2023No Comments

Stevis Man retired sound and healthy from an impressive flat racing career in October 2022. He made $437,208, making 74 starts and winning 26 races, finishing second in 8 and third in 8 races. You can find his racing record here. He retired sound, happy and healthy. Stevie, as he is now being called, began …

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Introduction to Cross Country

by kclark@goodhorse.orgPosted on September 20, 2022October 7, 2022No Comments

My horse Z has been jumping for years. He’s got a wonderful flatwork foundation that makes him very rideable and confident. But Z is a true skeptic about everything.  He’s open to reason, but he begins with being skeptical of the latest human plans for him.  Probably a good way for a horse to survive …

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