OTTB dressage prospect - short strides

[Gwyneth]

I’m looking for my next dressage prospect, and because of my limited budget, I’m looking into getting an OTTB (I have some experience with OTTBs and a lot of experience with non-race thoroughbreds). The common trait I’ve noticed though with horses just of the track/ a year or so off the track is that their strides (particularly in the trot) are short and quick. The more nicely conformed horses have better gaits, but that lack of a swinging back and overall choppiness is still there.

I know an OTTB will never move like a warmblood, but I’m wondering how much (generally speaking) can they be encouraged to relax and step out more? How do you tell whether the “choppiness” in the horse you’re looking at is fixable, or whether it’s just the way they move? Are there any exercises I could do (trot poles?) during the trial rides that could give me a better sense of the horse’s potential movement?

If anyone has any pictures or videos of your own horse’s transformation, that would be appreciated :yes:

[GraceLikeRain]

I’d be careful with the “an OTTB will never move like a warmblood”. Comments like that will derail a thread in a hot second.

Are you watching U/S videos, in hand, at liberty, or all three? Jessica Redman is a great person to follow on Facebook. She sources phenomenal TBs and puts together quality videos. She’s also a very honest seller and will do things like post Video 1 noting that the horse is a bit tight or short strided and a few days/week later may post a follow up video showing how much change has occurred with some let down time and a few extra rides.

Slowing down a video can also help you see where the shortness or tension is originating. Also looking at the first few strides before and after a transition can give insight into future capabilities.

Trot poles aren’t terribly helpful and a lot of sellers may not feel comfortable letting a very fresh off the track horse be introduced to pole work by a prospective buyer who could inadvertently set a horse up for a less than ideal first experience. Some horses have good natural balance and can demonstrate notable lengthening through trot poles but may be months/years/forever away from being able to maintain that degree of loft and length with the average AA rider.

[fordtraktor]

I have one of Jessica’s horses. Last weekend a GP dressage trainer was here at the farm for two days of lessons and she said both days that “she couldn’t believe he is a TB” and “looks like a WB.”

Most any horses will get shorter as they are learning new things like harder lateral work, but they open up again as the work becomes easier and they learn how to move forward into the movements. there is no reason a TB can’t move very well when relaxed. Just buy one with good natural/free movement and a good brain.

Look at the horse free. If it can move beautifully free, with good training and riding it can do the same under saddle eventually.

I have a really nice Dutch filly too and honestly she is way easier to sit than the TB. He has a ton of natural swing in the back. You need to have a strong independent seat to sit his trot for sure. Not sure I have a favorite!

[Bogie]

My OTTB moved like a sewing machine when he first came off the track. He had no idea how to use his body in such a different way. Given some time to develop new muscles and relax through is back and he looked like a different horse. Best is to buy from someone who restarts OTTBs or to bring along a trainer who has experience with it as they can help you see the potential.

[WildLittleWren]

I agree with the others, it can take awhile for the horse to truly use themselves properly under saddle. But, if the horse moves freely forward without a rider and has nice gaits, then typically they will develop even better under saddle. I don’t find the trotting in hand videos (at the track), all that telling. Sure, you can tell if the horse is dead lame, but a lot of times these horses are fit and “up” and very hot, so of course they are going to move shorter and be tense. It’s hard to really tell an OTTB’s true fluid gaits until they have some period of let down from the track. Of course, a thorough PPE will tell you if there are any physical reasons for a short or choppy gait. Perhaps maybe buying through someone who brings along OTTB’s post track (like the woman mentioned above), would be a better place for you to start. Typically these people know everything there is to know about the horse, the good/bad/ugly post track and are usually very honest. You can then assess the horse post track after a let down period and after they have started their reschooling. Good luck OP.

[punchy]

@GraceLikeRain

I’d be careful with the “an OTTB will never move like a warmblood”. Comments like that will derail a thread in a hot second.

Oh my word yes. They often just need to remuscle their backs and relax, which time will take care of. And I’ve been on plenty at the track that would make you cry, they got so much air and hang time. My present one included, which is how he ended up in my backyard. 🤩

[merrygoround]

Assessing the gaits of an OTTB is best done at liberty, second choice is in hand, with a good handler. Most handlers on the track prefer to see three feet on the ground at all times.

That makes them hard to assess. Knowing eye for good angles is helpful though. .

[NotGrandPrixYet]

Some of it has to do with their feet. If they have been pounding them on the track and have a contracted heel and longer toe, you won’t see a great trot until this issue is corrected, and that will take several months.

Additionally, TBs are usually very sensitive and intelligent. If you get an uphill TB, once its feet are corrected, and the horse is more relaxed, a tactful trainer can have the horse looking like a warmblood in no time.

[beowulf]

If they are short-striding, they’re not sound somewhere. Is it possible you’re seeing “tracky” movement?

A big part of seeing potential in a horse that is currently moving “tracky” is simply analyzing the horse’s conformation and seeing how it correlates in the horse’s movement and whether or not any hang-ups are because of a tight back or an injury somewhere - not helpful in your situation, I know – but it also helps if you have a general idea of that horse’s pedigree – the who and what made that horse will also define that horse as they grow… For instance, I know if I see a Big Brown or Not For Love horse, if they’re moving kind of choppy it’s likely they’ll move differently once let down and all their physical complaints are addressed… whereas if I see Polish Numbers or a Tapit horse moving, I’ll probably assume what I see that day is what I get.

Most TBs I see fresh off the track are lame. It’s a rare one that isn’t - so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re analyzing whether that way of movement on that given day is related to being tight or sore somewhere, or, the horse’s natural way of going.

[SuzieQNutter]

You assess the walk and the canter.

The trot changes with training.

[Gwyneth]

Thank you, everyone! There are some helpful points here.

[Wyndwolfe]

As some posters have pointed out, what a TB is capable of can be hard to predict. If you like TB’s (I do), and can find one that you connect with, they can become extremely bonded and willing to try their heart out for you. That work ethic can compensate for a surprising number of what appear to be physical limitations. Bear in mind that track trained TB’s have very limited trot work, and are not encouraged to develop the carrying muscles in their back.

[Jealoushe]

Trying to ignore that comment but I can’t. Many, yes many move like a warmblood, some gasp move even nicer. I’m lucky enough to have 4 TBs like this!

If you can not evaluate a horse at the track yourself for their potential I STRONGLY recommend either getting a horse from someone who has already done the hard work in analyzing and letting the horse down, or take someone with you has the eye that you need.

Picking a good TB is not something everyone can do and it is not something inexperienced people to TBs can do. The biggest thing to look for is that a horse moves with its whole body and not just parts seperately. It should be one flowing motion, that being said when they are in the shedrow and racing fit you aren’t really going to see what their true gait actually is.

[Jealoushe]

@Gwyneth

If anyone has any pictures or videos of your own horse’s transformation, that would be appreciated :yes:

I have lots of videos on my instagram @bossmareeventing of my girls all in various stages of training right now.

[Abbie.S]

I’m riding a very warmblood-like OTTB right now.

This horse has the most impressive uphill canter I’ve ever seen on a TB, and he’s pretty out of shape right now. I can’t wait to see what he’ll be like when he’s fit.

But it’s all about build. This horse is actually built slightly uphill. Many a TB I see are slightly to moderately downhill - being uphill doesn’t tend to correlate with increased speed despite the power that they can access from the hindquarters, and track TB breeding is all about who wins, which means it’s usually related heavily to speed.

So I’d screen your candidates carefully. Look for a horse with a level or slightly uphill balance (all kinds of resources online on how to judge this if you aren’t sure). Downhill doesn’t mean they can’t go nicely in the bridle, but it’s going to be a longer, more difficult endeavor because it doesn’t come as naturally. I also like favor more compact TBs - again, this guy is big but not long, so he can get his hind end underneath himself pretty well all on his own. Stay away from overly straight hind legs - much more difficult to get even flexion in the hock and stifle which means a lot more difficulty sitting behind. Be also critical of feet…unfortunately the aforementioned OTTB has garbage feet and always has so his overall prognosis for comfortable movement is going to be limited by how good his owner can get his feet.

Most gaits can be improved with time, proper conditioning and good attention to posture. Start with a horse with three pretty good gaits and good conformation and you’ll likely be just fine once you’ve let the horse down post-track and start to see what you’ve got.