Green horse and "progress"

[Horse_ghost92]

I’ve read a lot of posts about green horses and being frustrated with their progress. And a lot of people say to not have a timeline, or really any expectations with green horses, especially OTTBs.

But when do you know if progress is lacking because of the training? Is it normal for a green horse to take 2 steps forward and then 5 steps back? Even a year or two years into training?

For reference I have an ottb that is almost 1 year off the track, but in training for 9 or 10 months. And I just need someone to make me feel better that we can go to magical fairy rides to zero brain cells in a month.

[endlessclimb]

Totally normal. Especially nearing spring.

I’ve had to deal with multiple aerial attempts per ride for the last few weeks. For reference, mine is just about to turn 5, and I’ve had her for a year and half.

[Scribbler]

@Horse_ghost92

I’ve read a lot of posts about green horses and being frustrated with their progress. And a lot of people say to not have a timeline, or really any expectations with green horses, especially OTTBs.

But when do you know if progress is lacking because of the training? Is it normal for a green horse to take 2 steps forward and then 5 steps back? Even a year or two years into training?

For reference I have an ottb that is almost 1 year off the track, but in training for 9 or 10 months. And I just need someone to make me feel better that we can go to magical fairy rides to zero brain cells in a month.

There are two aspects to training. One is what the horse knows how to do. The other is the emotional consistency of the horse, energy level, etc. Hot horses can learn skills fast but their emotional levels can go all over the place.

If your TB has the spring zoomies then you need to work on getting the energy level down. More turnout, more free longeing, etc.

It’s not training per se it’s management.

Think about a child having a silly high energy day or even a temper tantrum. They don’t forget how to read and write and tie their shoelaces. They just lose their minds because of some interaction or emotion or the influence of their friends, etc.

[173north]

My green horse just really regressed/plateaued for a month or so, I was tearing my hair out. Now he’s back to being himself but seems to have leveled up in mental maturity a bit. It was humbling, you are not alone!

It’s also always worth doing a double check of your basics when stuff like this comes up… does your saddle still fit, does he need more turnout, a nutrition tweak, etc.

[OnDeck]

Do you work with a trainer? Lessons are super helpful for a green horse

[Arelle]

My five year old has recently been relegated back to the round pen because she was snorting at and leaping over her own shadow.

That she’s had.

Her entire life.

That said; I do think there are some arguably terrible “trainers”. It’s all about knowing your horse well enough to figure out if it’s reasonable - for example, mine has always been a little stupid - or if it’s unreasonable and being made harder due to care, lack thereof, or lack of knowledge to bring along a green horse.

[173north]

@Arelle

I do think there are some arguably terrible “trainers”.

All trainers also have strengths and weaknesses, and aspects of training/riding they prefer to focus on. The trainer who can really polish your ride for the show ring on a made horse isn’t always the best person to help you through a rough patch with a 4 year old, and vice versa.

[Jealoushe]

I think if you haven’t made progress in 2 years its time to reassess everything. Is your horse sound, happy? Teeth and TMJ comfy? Saddle fit? Then ask yourself, is your riding at the level required to train a horse? Do you understand the concepts of training? Is my trainer helping or do I need a new trainer or maybe a trainer if I dont have one?

What are your goals? Realistically how close am I to them? What do I need to get there?

There should be progress, and while progress is not quick and not linear it should be present. Just how much progress depends on your goals, the time invested and how educated you are and willing your horse may be.

[Arelle]

All trainers also have strengths and weaknesses, and aspects of training/riding they prefer to focus on. The trainer who can really polish your ride for the show ring on a made horse isn’t always the best person to help you through a rough patch with a 4 year old, and vice versa.

Right; and then there are some “trainers” who are terrible and kill enthusiasm for riders and horses alike and probably should’ve been sued years ago but because we’re a weird community, they just keep going out and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Have no idea which one the OP has. Great, good, or awful.

[SuzieQNutter]

If you interact with him 7 days a week - Interact means anything like feeding, rugging or riding - then every time you interact he is a little bit better or a little bit worse. He is not a motorbike, he does not stay the same.

If he is a little bit better each time, then on Monday you have a different horse to past Monday.

The next Monday a different horse. The next Monday a better again horse. You can see that each Monday the horse is getting better and it happens so quickly.

You can see how downhill everything goes if each time you interact he is a little bit worse. Don’t wait until the next Monday to get help.

If he is plateauing and the same each Monday then you also need help as you want a bit better each day.

All you ever want is a little bit better than the day before. If they have a 2 step back day then the next day is really easy to be a little bit better day.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

My perpetually “green” horse just won Zone Ch second year in a row, and before that won adult hunter zone ch… But some days he decides the jumps want to bite him or he doesnt want to hold the canter or even jump, for that matter. So I get it. I love him and I have been there done that so my ego is not an issue- however my future is always “iffy” with this guy. I just try to work with him the best I can and keep up his maintenance ( doxy for lyme twice a year, hocks done once but getting done again this week, etc)- And when I feel particularly frustrated or disheartened, I ride my other horse who is perfect. Just keep plugging away and try to find enjoyment in the little things, is my advice.

[Libby2563]

If you compare recent rides to a year ago, is the horse better on average now than then? What about a month ago? I know sometimes I need to stop and force myself to have that long perspective because if I’m just comparing day-to-day, there can be stagnation or small ups and downs.

If the answer is no, perhaps you do need to reevaluate something about the program, whether that’s the trainer, your own riding, horsekeeping environment, health of the horse, etc.

[RedHorses]

Think about what you are comparing the forward/backwards steps to. Think about what the specific issues you’re dealing with now compared with the issues you were dealing with last summer.

If they are the same issues at the same level there’s a problem. Usually an honest assessment makes us realize that we have really improved over last year and have new things to deal with. It’s easy to fall into the feeling that “there’s always something with this horse - ugh!” when it’s new somethings.

Practice recognizing, in the moment if possible, the things that were tough last year that are getting pretty good now. If you can’t do while riding, think about it afterwards. Consciously recognizing the good things and improvements helps reduce the significance of the current issues. It’s better for the horse too as you will find more things to praise.

[Jealoushe]

A horse who has won multiple zone champs over several years, isn’t exactly green.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

Well- I bought him as a 4yo, he is over 18hh, I am a 63 yo ammy- horse lives with me, and I have been his only rider- This is one of many horses I have developed over the years and believe me, he can still be green. I was trying to offer encouragement here ?

[Jealoushe]

I just didn’t want the OP or others thinking they should be worried by their progress. Your horse clearly has wonderful training to be so successful and not what would be typically considered green. No harm meant

[Fiesta01]

@Atlas_Shrugged

believe me, he can still be green.

Green or occasionally naughty? No offense intended, just decades of naughty OTTBs.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

More like “dumb-blooded” - Like “when did they add flowers to jumps- in the next ring?”

[JenEM]

What does “in training” mean–on training board in a program with someone that knows OTTBs? A regular weekly lesson? Retraining yourself? Getting pro rides?

I’d absolutely expect forward and backward progress with a horse that’s only a year off the track, just like I would with any green horse. Mine is 5 and two years out of race training, and she still has days where the left lead is questionable, and found “jumping” a couple small logs out in the field very exciting yesterday. But she is also quite capable of going and putting in a solid Intro/Training dressage test and trots over Xs in the ring like a twenty-year-old schoolie. Bringing a green one along–especially from scratch–can definitely be a roller coaster, but it can also be so incredibly rewarding when you feel them get it.

[PNWSunnyDay]

@Horse_ghost92 What specific things are you experiencing that prompted you to start this thread? Your horse is learning a brand new job. Maybe 10 months later he’s starting to get stronger physically and can show his opinions in a more ‘spirited’ way? Maybe you’re starting to ask harder questions?