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OTTB gets REALLY excited to trot lol

Foxi *~*Project Hemlock*~* March 30th, 2013 7:28:27pm 115 Posts

I'm currently leasing a 5 year old ottb mare, and hopefully buying her after my wedding in June this year! She's super green, but pretty level headed. She's great at a walk, but when it comes time for the trot transition she gets really excited, we get a few side steps, a tiny crow hop, a few canter strides and then she settles into a gorgeous slow trot. I think part of it comes from her being unbalanced (we're working on that!) so I just keep my rising trot and her over excitement lasts only a few seconds, and I think its just her being green and excited to move forward. Has anyone else experienced this with their greenies? I think a small part of it is also my lower leg, I'm just getting back into serious riding and I'm working very hard to strengthen it so that its more steady! What are some of your favorite exercises to strengthen your lower leg?

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Freespin[Hiatus] & Sherlock[on]- Greyhounds March 31st, 2013 9:58:26pm 4 Posts

Would be worth checking (just to rule out) that she isnt sore anywhere, could cause issues during transitions. Just sounds a bit odd that its all over as quickly as it started. Check saddle fit, teeth, maybe get a physio/chiro out to make sure she isnt sore anywhere? Does she lunge? Might help he build up the muscle and balance herself without a rider doing lots of transitions on the lunge.

Foxi *~*Project Hemlock*~* April 1st, 2013 2:15:01am 115 Posts

She never raced, but spent 6 months on stall rest after bowing a tendon while in race training. She's had a year off from being ridden, before I started leasing her in March she'd only been ridden once every few weeks and only walking around for the most part. Yup, her current owner has had her vet checked and the saddle fits well. I think it's just a combo of her being green and lack of muscle for the most part. She hasn't really had any formal training outside the track and is super sensitive to any change in my position. She does it a lot less than she used to, maybe because my leg is quieter than when we first started? The more I ride her, the more it seems to be a case of her thinking that any time I ask for an increase of pace, it means run. Once she realizes what gait I want she settles in to it pretty quick. She really wants to please, but just doesn't have a clue yet. I agree lunge work could help, and am definitely going to train her to lunge as well SO I can help her gain that muscle.Thanks for your suggestions:)

utakata - 🌟 -{main; dwbs}- -stars are better off without us April 1st, 2013 5:38:58pm 1,486 Posts

I'd agree that lunging would help. Only a little to begin with as she is, from your description, lacking in muscle, experience, and balance, so too much would be difficult, causing her to run more. But done correctly it'll really help her to learn to listen to you and to take cues from you and your body language. Once she's used to it, lunging over poles and eventually raised poles can be a great way to help to build up some muscling. However, this is a much more gymnastic activity and requires a greater degree of correct muscling and balance. Whilst ridden, what are you doing during the transition? Does your position change? Are you breathing through the transition or do you hold your breath? What hints do you give her that you're going to ride an upwards transition to trot- ie, shorten reins/tense/tighten? Just really pay attention to what's happening in your body. Thoroughbreds tend to be incredibly sensitive and in tune to their rider (as you mention that she is), sensing things that we're not even aware of until we look. I'd suggest doing a heck of a lot of transitions, starting off with just basic walk-halt/halt-walk, maintaining the balance, contact (without asking her to work in a frame specifically, as she won't be capable of doing so yet), etcetera. Then move on to walk-trot/trot-walk but incorporate a lot of halt transitions as well, and transitions from trot-halt/halt-trot, so that she doesn't begin to anticipate. Thoroughbreds are, in my experience, very, very quick to learn and generally intelligent (in the equine way of being so). This has both its advantages and disadvantages, but you have to be both constantly relaxed and chilled, whilst simultaneously being on your toes and one step ahead of them, so lots of loops/circles/transitions... just keep it interesting.Yeah, TBs are awesome. You're going to have fun. xD

Foxi *~*Project Hemlock*~* April 1st, 2013 10:05:47pm 115 Posts

Thanks! I've ridden a lot of ottb's and greenies but she's basically a blank slate- its awesome! She's getting better with every ride:) Now that the weather is better I'm hoping to start working her out in a field and incorporate some hill work too. I've been really concentrating on keeping my leg quiet and my hands soft through the transitions and its really helped. She saw her first trot pole last week and didn't bat an eye! She's honestly the most level headed tb I've ridden lol. on a side note we cantered the other day and it was fantastic!:)Thanks for the tips:)

Narcosis August 30th, 2013 6:33:50pm 4 Posts

I third the lunging... but also you mentioned she is extremely sensitive and it sounds like because you are a light legged/handed rider, that it is helping. TBs are a sensitive breed as it is, which is of course what makes them so awesome. :)My advice is desensitizing. Ground work is the most important thing you can work on with a young horse regardless of their background. Work your way up to the plastic bag on the end of a stick. Put things on her, take them off. Crack a whip next to her where she can see it, but not behind her hindquarters where it means 'go'. Make sure she stands quietly. Start very small and with not so scary of things. This will build her trust in you. I could go on and in more detail if you'd like... but this is the training I did when breaking my 2 year old QH (I no longer have her now). This is also what we did with our OTTB, Venus, we used to have. Just keep consistent, and it sounds like she is already improving. Remember: As gentle as possible, but as much as necessary. :D Breeding Dutch Warmbloods **Soon to add Westphalians to the program**

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