Exercise Riding advice (any stories?)

[GML001]

Hello!

I am about to start working as an exercise rider in about two months (and I guess helping break and train- the man I’m working for wants to get me involved in all the facets of the training process from the ground up) and this is definitely not a job I’ve ever really done before!

About the only experience I’ve had with a racehorse in training was last summer on an almost 3 year old colt who was as sickle hocked as the day is long. I basically helped condition him in a pasture with another colt- and he was nowhere near a challenging ride. I’d honestly have put a nine year old on him. And yet here I am, a year later, throwing myself into it head first. (It also makes the most sense for me as a college student, which my new boss completely gets. I can get a full time job in and done before my classes)

I’ve landed what I’m thinking/hoping is a pretty amazing job at an absolutely stunning private track and training center. The man I’m working for is finishing up his big sale run in Saratoga this week (he’s also had Derby runners which is… insane to me for some reason.)

He’s fine with my inexperience with racehorses- on the track, at least (he wants me to ride and work the way he wants me to ride and work- and I’m really relieved about that) and, apparently, takes more care with his girls than his guys. Because girls land like a sack of potatoes, while boys bounce. And… I can at least confirm that on my end! I’ve always said I land like a sack of potatoes. And every boy I’ve ever seen has actually bounced.

He has a head rider who has worked for him for I think 10 years who will be riding with me until I can go on my own (if this all works out!)- so I’ll have someone there to explain things to me in the saddle, and help me when something goes wrong- either tell me what I need to do, or grab my ride. Probably both!

I’m trying to be as prepared as I possibly can. I know most, if not all, of what I’m really going to be learning and what my boss will really want me to know will be learned hands on, in person, but I figured I’d ask for some general advice (and maybe for stories! I’m really interested in what first gallops were like. I’ve had two take offs- one on the colt, and then my second on my own OTTB a month later, ironically- came off both times due to sudden stops, but I think I did pretty well if I do say so myself… Lots of really calm "ohhhh shit oh shit ooooooh man this is a little too fast and too furious ohhh shit"s… Humored myself in a moment of what felt like total chaos lol)

[babybritain]

So I’m definitely not the most experienced person to be giving advice, but your story sounds just like mine!

I’d ridden my whole life, mostly eventing, but landed a galloping job at a training farm in college. I fell in love. To this day it is the only job I’ve ever truly loved. Did it for about a year and then school took priority. Now, after 5 years in my career field, I’m going back to racehorses to see if I can find some happiness in my work life again.

I’m sure many more experienced people will chime in, but let me tell you that you will be sore! My first day was just jogging and oh my god I was sore the next day. It is hard work! I got fit for the work pretty quickly but it is not easy. I was in the best shape of my life.

My first gallops were fine. They put me on the easier horses when I was just starting. But my first breeze was a truly incredible experience. I felt so exhilarated and so terrified at the same time. There is nothing else like it. I had already been galloping for a few months before they let me breeze, though, so I was ready for it.

Sorry I don’t have more advice! But have fun and be safe! Don’t put yourself in a position where you feel uncomfortable.

[_Bounce]

I galloped for years - and my best advice is to listen to what others tell you! We had so many green riders that came in and pretended to know everything just because they had ridden other disciplines. It’s not the case - you have to throw out a lot of what you already know.

My second best piece of advice - is that if you are ever getting run off with, or feel like you are, drop the reins. Let go of their mouths. I know everyone’s first instinct is to pull - but that just tells a race horse to go faster. Eventually they all get tired

Good luck! Have fun! And enjoy It’s a fun experience!

[Palm_Beach]

You’ll find you either have a knack for it or you don’t. If you can get the horse to find a relaxed gallop and not get into a fight with him, you’ll be fine. You want him to get comfortable and find a rhythm and relax, and you’ll be able to go all day. Your quads will hurt like crazy, so don’t jack your irons up right away. You want to do it one hole at a time. You’ll probably start off with 2 yos and easy horses until you get fit to gallop, then they might challenge you with tougher rides. Good luck, sounds like a nice outfit, and if it is, you’ll really have fun!!

[gumtree]

@*Bounce*

I galloped for years - and my best advice is to listen to what others tell you! We had so many green riders that came in and pretended to know everything just because they had ridden other disciplines. It’s not the case - you have to throw out a lot of what you already know.

My second best piece of advice - is that if you are ever getting run off with, or feel like you are, drop the reins. Let go of their mouths. I know everyone’s first instinct is to pull - but that just tells a race horse to go faster. Eventually they all get tired

Good luck! Have fun! And enjoy It’s a fun experience!

And “stand up”. If they were trained property as youngsters Most should know this signals the end of their “work”. Sitting back in the saddle is where the breaks can be found also. Survival instinct for newbies tends to make them get low, lean forward and take hold for better balance. But as you said, this is the “go fast-faster” signal, lol.

In the end keep presence of mind rules the day. Ride it out and or hope an outrider sees what’s going on and picks up the horse for you.

[danacat]

@GML001

Hello!

I’ve landed what I’m thinking/hoping is a pretty amazing job at an absolutely stunning private track and training center.

Riding/galloping at a private training center is a lot different than doing same at an actual racetrack You won’t have to contend with all the ‘goings on’ that happen at a racing racetrack in the morning – a big plus when you’re learning the ropes.

In my experience (having galloped at all types of tracks; 30 year career + owned my own private training center) training facilities lean towards young horses (starting babies) and rehabbing lay-ups. Rarely are older race horses (ones that are regularly entered to run or are getting ready to run) stabled at a training track – so, you probably won’t be riding any super fit racing racehorses – another plus because they are hard to learn on; they know more than you do + some can be tough and/or quirky + usually require more experienced riders who know how to gallop/breeze, do a 2 min. lick, won’t get runoff with etc. etc.

Obviously I don’t know your exact situation at this particular facility or what this trainer has in mind for you insofar as learning to gallop, but I can’t imagine you’d be put on just any old horse in the barn. Trainers know their horses, they know what kind of a gallop they are and it would be remiss of any trainer to ‘over horse’ a novice – risk to the horse and risk to the rider. Your confidence can be shattered pretty quickly by a series of run-offs or other catastrophes. Hopefully you’ll be starting babies, and if so you can learn right along with them by going out in a ‘set’ with experienced riders who can teach you.

The only immediate advice I can offer is: The longer you ride (stirrup length), the longer you ride. Don’t be quick to jack up your stirrups. You don’t need to ride short to be a good exercise rider. At this stage of the game focus on learning your holds (fullcross/half cross) and changing these holds as the babies you’re riding progress to becomming racehores.

Also, it’s a good idea to loop a finger or two through the yoke (martingale) as a safety measure – invaluable when a horse spooks (helps you stay on) + helps keep your hands quiet; prevents you from laying on or jabbing a horse in the mouth. Back in the day every experienced rider I knew had a hold on that yoke – especially going to and from the barn to the track.

Good luck! Sound like you’ve landed a fabulous job!