<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.
Album