Baby Greenie Support Group now open: Share Your Pain!

I had 2 horses “sold” and they are both lame. One I actually delivered and he came home the next day (I trust these people and know that they did not even ride him the first day – they called at 8:30 AM on day 2 and were almost in tears…)

The other is sold – pending vet check. Fortunately the buyers are out of town at Trader’s Point this week because he has come up lame and I have only until Monday to figure it out before the vet check.

I just know that they hear the “S” word and start limping…

After religiously working both babies (one is 3 in April and one is 3 in May)in the round pen, I have graduated to climbing aboard both. With lead ropes attached to the halter, we have now travesed the indoor without incident (so far.)

I look forward to obtaining (and maybe delivering) valuable information as time goes on.

But it’s a reeeeaaaaally cute baby!! And don’t you need a “project” between the yearling and the three-year-old?? I think a 2-year-old would fit in quite nicely, myself.

Bulletin Board Goddess

Thanks for all the kind words and support.

When I broke the news to Mr. Beezer, his response was, “Well, he can still be happy out in a field with an apple tree, right?” Still smarting from the vet report, I snapped back: “I don’t know what YOU see when you look out in our backyard, but I sure as he$$ don’t see a field or an apple tree!” To which he responded, with a hug: “Then we’ll have to work on getting that, won’t we?” Sometimes, I think he just might actually understand.

I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself … what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." – Louie Armstrong.

By all means Merry!!! hehe

I quite enjoy my monthly ritual now of marching into the Gift Horse, whipping the newest issue of Horse Illustrated off the stand and showing them my BB friend Merry!! haha

The first comment from the “girls” is always about the Rust Breeches!!!

Erin B I did the same for your articles in the Equine Journal

Thanks for the support, guys!

I’m not sure how brave I was, more like desperate, or determined. Perhaps slightly addle-brained. Plus, I should mention that I had–and still have–the help of an excellent trainer. The first year I had Tess, we did five lessons a week. If I was on, and in the ring, I had supervision. (Trail riding was another adventure entirely.) So it’s not as if I did it all alone.

The reason, I think, that I wrote such a long reply above is that my experience is probably similar to others on this thread. We are, many of us, older (well not young ) women, pushing ourselves to achieve something special. And I really value all the input I get here.

You might want to try a square oxer with canter poles on both sides. That way you can let him gallop right up to it and have to work things out by himself. After you do just the oxer, try incorporating it into a line. The best part about this excercise is you don’t have to use a fence any bigger than the height you are showing over, just make it really wide.

I feel it is my duty as a fellow greenie rider to point out that while this excercise works wonders for backing off some horses, it has been known to make some TBs tense. Never fear, you will know immediately which way it will go!

Yesterday it was a little chilly here, but the sun was shining. I decided to take advantage of the weather and ride outside on the huntfield. Justice decided to take advantage of the weather and try to give me a heart attack. Ah, the joy!

I did not know you had been sick. Am I the only one on this thread who did not know? Apologies and virtual flowers are on their way.

Are we representative of the older members of this BB as a whole, or is it the masochist in us that make us ride greenies when sick? Hope you are all better now.

Yur sis,

Pam

DMK, RV (love that name ) is adorable! Is that you riding? He looks so sweet and careful. I love the way babies make such a big deal out of such little jumps.

Lucky Me,

I have probably lost a few too many brain cells to be scared with training most greenies – even thinking of a future with Sophie Moose when she has never been backed and I am too weak from a mystery illness to even post right now…

But, that being said: If you are nervous, they know it (as you know) and no good will come of it. Hie thee to a trainer – one who specializes in starting young/problem horses. Give him/her a bit of time with your baby and then go watch as many session as you can. See what he/she is doing. Ask a ton af questions and then, under their supervision, start at the point where you are right now and work together under guidance once your baby has manners.

Only when you realize that you have the ability to control your greenie should you bring her home again. But be prepared to go back for a check up if thing start to go awry.

“Fearless” as I am, Mikey scared me when I first got him as a 2 year old and I shipped him off for respect training. I went to watch every session and when he respected someone with more authority, I began to handle him, under her guidance. He is now a pussy cat, a veritable “old shep” at the age of 4. A kid could crawl under his belly and tickle it and he would not move. But it took someone with knowledge of handling such a problem horse to get him over his attitude problem. (This happened to be a person trained in the John Lyons methods). And it only took 10 days.

Good Luck

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2Dogs:
So, I have read through these posts and just want to know - am I crazy looking for a greenie TB…off the track…??? Have I lost my marbles??? What one quality do I want to make sure they DON’T have???
should I just have a cocktail and forget the whole thing???<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

A cocktail isn’t a bad idea, 2dogs!

I love, love, love, repeat LOVE OTTBs (and question my sanity in this regard), but I always recommend that one has a clue about them before tackling them. I remember LordHelpus did a great summary post about them a while back - had a ton of good points, but here are a few key points…

Racing TBs are trained,and trained very well (if they are with a good trainer, obviously!). They are trained to run faster on more contact, they are trained to set into the hands and make a good bow for the rider to balance against. Our style of riding confuses them.

They have stable manners, but they are shedrow manners. Meaning someone only gets on them as they are being led, and the rider is being legged up. They are groomed on a stall chain, not cross ties, and when they are bathed, it is generally with a bucket of warm soapy water and warm rinse water, and someone holds them. Most of them have pretty stellar manners for these things. Our world confuses them (cross ties, mounting blocks, hoses, standing still, etc.).

When you look at a horse on (or just off) the track, they are usually pretty muscle sore and they haven’t a clue how to trot or canter like WE like. They know how to canter sideways and totally supported by the hand. They also have a tight jarring trot (without actually using thehip or shouulder) down pat. They are very well educated to galloping though!

So when I look at an OTTB, I look for a willingness to accept what I want (not to succeed, just to accept) - a consistant gait, or an attempt to do so. A quiet eye, and a willingness to walk on a loose rein (I also evaluate the walk big time, since in many cases it’s hard to see the “real” trot and canter. I also like seeing how they respond to lungeing, since very few have done it before. It gives me an idea of how they respond to VERY new things without putting my life on the line.

Also, any indication of not being on the forehand is a big plus, since that indicates a natural balance, that has managed to survive being onthe track But being on the forehand is probably to be expected.

So that was kind of a long few points, but c’est la vie!

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me, and also, here is an OTTB hall of infamy. Pretty much everything (except the pony and obvious WB pic) came off the track.

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Are you at the Oaks? Congratulations!

Mallory gets a lesson a week on Elliot.

They have started jumping, and Mallory likes to have her mom watch her lessons.

I have been so surprised at the lessons in that even though Mallory was never taught to ride by myself she rides with some of the same faults that I have.

Last night during her lesson, I finally saw what our trainer means by forward impulsion to the jump.
I was internally urging the two of them on after a corner to the lone oxer, seeing that he was stringing out and going sooo slowwwwwwww.

Yes Elliot would take the jump, but without any impulsion and a bit too far back.
This was better than watching a video tape of myself doing the same thing last Sunday!!!

What feels fast is not fast.
What feels nice and comfy is so slow.

I cannot wait to see if I can correct this in my next lesson.

I had THE most awesome day. Lio jumped around a course . executing flying lead changes, doing the step at a lope & finding his own distances!!! The aforementioned longe whip carrying horse chaser could not believe it!! Nor could I. This was AFTER a newby came to the barn for an evaluation & after trying to wave to the crowds and sunfish while ANOTHER newby raced around the paddock (he was promptly brought in)proceeded to go STRAIGHT to work & jump a course , with perfect changes!! I come to find out while jumping the last line, oh, BTW, she has never jumped a course & has only done simple changes!! Well- I now want a customer who needs a drop dead gorgeous mare , who moves great & jumps great! Of course I am looking for ponies now- not horses- go figure.
Anyway- sorry for the bragging, but I wanted others to know that there IS hope & we CAN overcome!!

I swear Will and I used to “Rack On” during his fresh days!! My elbow/hand would stay in a straight line with his mouth, alright!!! Watch out “Good Hands” riders! Then I would make him trot as fast and as I could make him!

Unfortunately, it would only take Gramento a few strides of any extended gait to get around the arena, as compared to poor QH Will’s trot!

This is strange all this lameness, I took Count to the show on Thurs. He schooled like a champ. Fri. before his classes I go to lunge him and he is trotting around fine, I look down at my watch and when I look up he is lame! We scratch him and put him away. We can’t find anywhere he is sore on his feet or legs. We got him out on Sat. and he is a little stiff but much better. By Sunday he is his normal fiesty self again. We suspect he twisted his ankle. Which stunk for the show but I am glad he is better.

What? End the thread at 56 pages? Oh no. We can do way better than that!

I was so not into riding a greenie today, so Hambolarama just got bitted up and lunged in the chambon. He dearly loves that torture session.

“Friends don’t let friends eat fish tacos.”

I am very proud of you both…and Mallory too, of course!

Bet you can’t wait until Monroe now!!

Well I think the wonkies all moved to Maryland with me today. Why is it that when TBs lose their brains, boy, they really lose 'em. We were going to take Ash and another TB, Beako, up to my trainer’s trainer today for a lesson and look-see (she is probably going to show him this summer and wants her trainer’s input on what we’re doing with him. Works for me – more free training!). Ash had eaten his breakfast and been turned out, so she brought him back in to do his mane, spiff him up, etc. when her trainer called to postpone.
Since she had to deal with the vet for a pre-purchase she left Ash in his stall with some hay. He wasn’t alone – Beako was also in his stall across the way – but he was back in and his buddies were out and he was kind of upset about having his mane pulled and being made to stand
still.

Well. After the vet was done she called me to tell me we’re postponed and to ask if I’m coming to ride, because Ash was “not really good” in his stall. So I popped right over instead of waiting. “Not really good” did not describe it! He wanted to go PLAY and he was PISSED. It took me 15 minutes to tack him up he was dancing so badly! This is not like this horse at all usually, so I knew our ride would be an adventure.

It was. He was a nut. NO attention span, no focus, totally tense, wanting to look out the door and go run with the other horses. I had to warn the people in the indoor (one other horse and his hapless owner) to basically watch out. Sure
enough, he took 3 steps of trot then blew into the canter, bucking and playing in each corner. I just let him go, then finally got a very forward trot. He was getting better, then he heard a horse outside, screamed (loooove the way the whole body vibrates when they do that, oh yeah) and took off again.

This went on for a while – a bit more focus, them blammo. I was REALLY glad we have a nice, tiny indoor so he couldn’t really let go and totally blow out. We finally set some poles and although he was still not really focused he went through them and I was able to get an actual canter each way, not a buckngallop. So I just gave up and quit there.

He was STILL a nut when I got back to the barn, though – I actually had to have help to untack since I literally could not hold him. His training held and he was polite about being turned out but as soon as I released his head he went full gallop down to rear and strike at his playmates. sigh I THOUGHT he was a nice, quiet boy!

I don’t even feel bad for him anymore that my trainer did order him a hood to try to minimize the bit marks on his neck from playing so hard (she wants him purty if they do show). One of the full over the face jobs, too. Serves him right. She didn’t get the nice leopard print one, though – she went tasteful. I think it will be either navy or hunter green with burgundy trim – it’ll match his other tasteful stuff but I personally think a bit of horsie humiliation wouldn’t hurt.

I can hardly wait to see how “wonderful” he is for our lesson tomorrow. Oh boy…

Even tho I haven’t been able to ride since April due to broken bones? I’m 45 & have a BARNFULL of greenies ranging in age from 8 mos., 18 mos., 8 yrs., 9 years, & 10 yrs. (including 2 OTTB’s). Talk about determination & perseverance (which is about ALL I’ve got at this point!) By the time I’ve healed they’ll be even “greener”! Do greenies regress?? Full report in a few months (hopefully).