Posts Tagged ‘First Ride’
First Ride on an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred
First Ride on OTTB Antioch
Attached are two pictures of Molly and Antioch’s first ride. He is very responsive on the ground and not very spooky. I do think Molly has some re -training of her riding skills to work on. Unfortunately since riding our challenging Arab she has learned to be a little more direct in her riding requests with her legs and hands and she ended up cantering around the round pen for a few minutes before figuring out how to slow him down. The sponging of her hands and sitting back worked, but she was taken a bit by surprise. After that she spent time walking, halting, walking, halting, and then she got him to trot then walk then halt three times successfully. (I am glad no one else was around to see it!) This might be a trial by fire type of learning for them! We are going to try again tomorrow with a lot more walking, halting, small circles, serpentines etc…. any other advice would be great!
First Ride on OTTB Antioch
Most people, when they get nervous or scared, make the mistake of grabbing the reins and leaning forward. This is the ‘GO’ command for an ex-race horse. Instead, sit tall and quiet and ’sponge’ the reins in your hands – first one hand and then the other. Have a light to medium contact and open and close your fingers on the reins like you are squeezing a sponge. The horse will relax on the bit and usually drop his head. Race horses are taught to lean into two solid hands and balance on them. When the jockey crosses the finish line, he sits up and lets go of the reins and the horse slows down. Don’t give the ‘GO’ command by grabbing your horse with two ungiving hands and leaning forward. Instead sponge the reins by alternating the movement from one hand to the other. Keep your elbows bent and your shoulders and elbows relaxed and following the movement of the horse’s head. Move your arm and not your wrist to give and take with the contact. You will be rewarded with a quiet happy horse.
My First Ride on Monarch’s Reign
My first ride on MY ex-race horse!
I still can’t believe how easy my first ride on Monarch was. I had read lots of other folks’ Thoroughbred Success Stories on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site, as well as the article “Riding your OTTB for the first time.” I took special note of the line that said, “This is not your horse’s first ride, and it won’t be a rodeo,” but I think I still expected it to be at least a bit challenging. After all, the last time I was on a horse was more than two years ago, so I’m not exactly an expert rider these days!
Plus – and I almost hate to add this, because in retrospect it seems so silly – Monarch’s racing history gave me some reason to doubt my first ride would be a smooth one. After all, he had raced twice in his short career, and he’d lost his jockey BOTH TIMES! Read the rest of this entry »
Riding Triple Lindy in the Single Digits
Hello Elizabeth,
I’m guessing you all are as cold as we are. My thermometer says 11 right now, brrrr. We are out of school for the second day due to inclement weather. There is some snow on the already frozen ground and it is just cold. I’ve been carrying water in buckets and trashcans from the house. The single digits increases the work load but the horses seem to appreciate the efforts.
Yesterday, while my children were taking a nap, I went for my first ride 
Triple Lindy was really good. We just walked around for about 20 minutes. I couldn’t stand it any longer, I just had to get on. Susan, her former owner had told me to be careful getting on from the ground. I used my mounting block and there wasn’t a problem. I haven’t ridden but twice in the past three years other than to sit bareback while a little horse I have, who is sweet, eats. It was nice to be able to sit in a saddle and hold the reins and just enjoy the ride and the view from above! I’m looking forward to warmer days when I will be able to do more than walk. the ground is so frozen I dare not. I plan to get on again today while the kids take a nap and hopefully tomorrow and Sunday before the work grind begins again. Lindy seemed happy in my hollow mouth ring snaffle I’ll keep you posted.
Anne
“Marvin” Takes Care of Dad Too! Learning to Jump as Well
Me Tru aka "Marvin" at the race track.
Dear Elizabeth,
I still haven’t purchased a digital camera. However, you can be sure that I wrote it on my Christmas wish list!
Me Tru, aka Marvin, is doing fantastically well. He has gained weight, and has a nice thick winter coat that is shiny and sleek. He comes to the gate for attention and still has a beautiful, kind eye.
Marvin is learning to jump. He loves it! He doesn’t rush the jump or get hot, he just moves like he’s having fun and is ready for more. He’s careful, but not to the point that he over-jumps. When I make a mistake, he is very forgiving. However, because he is smart, I have to be careful that my mistakes don’t teach him bad habits.
Marvin quickly learned voice commands while longeing. He also learned to keep his feet in place for carrot stretches. His muscles feel pretty tight, so I’ve introduced him to massage. At first, he was impatient in the cross-ties, but he’s learned to relax, especially for the brachiocephalicus, and hamstring groups. He’ll make funny faces when I find a tight spot, and will occasionally nicker when it feels really good.
My husband rode Marvin the other day. Marvin took great care of him – it was the first time my husband has ever been in a saddle. My trainer frequently comments about Marvin’s gentle disposition and willingness to try to understand what he is being asked to do. We got a big laugh when my husband waved to the video camera instead of signaling to turn, and Marvin marched straight to the top of the shaving pile.
Thank you for making this possible!
Fondly,
Kathryn
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Me Tru aka "Marvin" | 
Tags: First Ride, Jumping, Lunging, Prospect Horse
Show and Tell with the Bank President
Amy Atkins first ride on her OTTB Bank President.
So its been a busy couple of weeks out on the farm. My TB mare finished her last show of the season with “flying colors”. Banker and I have had our first ride which was fun and interesting. It feels like a long way up when you sit on him, thankfully I stayed up there = ). He took the first few minutes to show me what a “feel good” horse he is and I showed him that its not my first time. After the “show and tell” time we settled into a nice trotting circle. That is pretty much all we’ve been able to do as he is still recovering and I don’t want to push it with him. Its a very nice trot though. He is doing well with the other horses and they are finally all out together which is nice. He has continued to get massages (lucky) and lots of R & R. More to come soon when we are able to canter!
Thanks
Amy
My First Ride on Brat Maverick!
Jodi Penn meets Brat Maverick
Maverick arrived at the farm late on a Sunday afternoon. I took a day off from work that Monday so that I could meet him. I was excited and nervous and poor Maverick was adjusting to a whole new place to live and new horses, people and routines. We didn’t ride that day but we did at least meet for the first time. It was just wonderful to see him in person. I wasn’t sure when I would feel confident enough to ride him but it didn’t matter. He was my horse and I would wait as long as I needed to wait.
Elizabeth rode Maverick to show me how beautiful he is.
Elizabeth rode him a couple of days later and in the pictures she sent me, he looked so beautiful and so calm that I knew I would ride him sooner rather than later. Sure enough I rode him less than a week after he arrived at the farm. I watched Elizabeth get on him first and even though I had read other Success Stories, I could not believe how calm he was. It gave me the confidence to say, I can do that. Elizabeth asked if I was ready and I knew it was time.
Jodi's first ride on Brat Maverick!
Although he is an OTTB, when I first got on him, all I could think about was that I was sitting on my very own horse. We hadn’t even moved yet, but I felt like I was on top of the world. We took it very slow, with a lunge line on Maverick and me sitting while he quietly walked around. It was enough. He was so calm and so comfortable that while I remained both nervous and excited he was a true gentleman. Read the rest of this entry »
“Marvin’s” First Ride – Me Tru(ly) Wonderful
Me Tru aka "Marvin" and Kathryn Cole.
I am totally, completely, crazily in love with Me Tru (aka Marvin). He is everything that Becky said he was…and so much more.
I keep wearing my “crash vest” waiting to discover the hole in Me Tru’s halo, but so far he has acted like a seasoned schoolmaster. We can walk/trot/canter in the ring or out in the fields, with or without other horses. He takes everything in stride. He really likes to explore new territory and learn new things – like hill-work and cavaletti.
I have attached photos of his first day and of our first ride.
Thanks for making this happen. I can’t believe that I could be so lucky!
Fondly,
Kathryn
Read more of Me Tru’s Success Stories.
UPDATE: November 10, 2009 Marvin’s FULL brother Tru Native is FOR SALE on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site! If you missed Marvin hurry and call.
“Marvin” aka Me Tru Checks In
"Marvin's" mom rides him for the first time after he finished racing.
Dear Elizabeth,
Just a quick update on Marvin (Me Tru):
Marvin has settled in amazingly quickly. He acts like a seasoned traveler.He was quiet exiting the trailer, and has had great manners from that moment on.
My farrier couldn’t believe that I bought an OTTB sight unseen, accusing me of “gambling at the highest level”. But he agreed that Marvin is nice – “quiet, seems sound and has good feet”. Impressively, his back isn’t sore either.
I’d planned on letting him down, but Becky, Marvin’s exercise rider from the track, encouraged me to ride him a little. So, on his 3rd day, I tacked him up. He marched to the ring with a sense of purpose and I hopped on. I didn’t even lunge him first. I kept it very short and simple-walk/trot/canter in both directions. He has a lot to learn, but I can’t remember meeting such a young horse that is so trustworthy. At the end of our 10 minute ride, we walked up to a small cross-rail in the arena. I was told he’d never seen jumps before. It only took a little leg pressure and he stepped over it quietly….too perfect for words.
I’m having the chiropractor come out this week. Marvin doesn’t show any signs of discomfort, but I want to be sure.
Thanks to Becky, Michelle, and Cara for arranging several days of turn-out away from the track while waiting for the shipper.
Elizabeth and Becky, thank you for all of your advice and encouragement. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Happy in NC,
Kathryn Cole and “Marvin”
Chipawild Does Well in “Traffic”
Chipawild has gone to college with her new mom. They are both learning new life/career skills.
I sent you some photos from the Walmart website that Courtney’s trainer took of her two first rides on Chipawild. She is doing great! Walk, trot and canter on the lunge and walking and trotting under saddle. She is getting used to having “traffic” in the ring with her. Courtney gave her a bath the other day and she was well behaved which is good because like most grey horses she loves to sleep using her manure as a pillow!
I hope all is well with you,
Sara O’Connell
Forgot to mention – Courtney has to PUSH! I just talked to her trainer and Courtney has cantered her and she has to push the whole time to keep her going. I guess you never can tell…
Sara O’Connell
First Ride for Cortableau
Hey E,
I rode “Cor” (obviously short for Cortableau and also means “heart” in Latin) yesterday. He was so good. We just walked and trotted in the round pen. I didn’t get pictures because I was by myself and my camera set itself to blur mode when I turned it on, so I have to figure that out. I’ll try again later today. He’s a gem!
