The Thoroughbred Brain

100% THIS. A 12 yr old OTTB I used to ride had very lite jump experience but if he so much as had a rub he’d try to get back around to that fence as fast as possible to redo it, he’d be so mad. The WB I was riding at the same time would knock a heavy pole that was 4 inches off the ground forward several feet and be like, “oh well, it was in the way”. Baby 2 yr old TB just crossed a wooden bridge for the first time yesterday and only paused for about 2 seconds to watch me stomp on it first. He acted like he’d done it his whole short life. Of course after that he had a tantrum when I said hand grazing was over so we had a discussion on appropriate behavior, kinda ruined the vibe of the earlier success.

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Oh, yes. Lol. They’re cool with everything other.than appaloosas small ponies, & open land. :rofl:

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Or Minis. :dizzy_face:

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I rode an Arab gelding on trails one summer. He disliked the mules in our riding group. He didn’t spook from them but, he would get very cranky (and he was a sweet horse) if one was near him. And don’t even think he’s going to follow a mule on the trail, oh no! “Mule, you get in the back of the line” :smile: He was very opinionated on where their place was in the group. Last!

My ottb at that time didn’t care about any of that. Horse, mule, donkey, mini, or pig did not matter to her. The only thing important to her was if you were slow, get out of her way!

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A great article on thoroughbreds as hunters. I also liked the background on how she started in horses. She’s been involved in the entire training from foal through showing.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/sue-lyman-shines-a-spotlight-on-thoroughbred-hunters-at-upperville/

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The Thoroughbred brain: playful, brave, curious, confident.

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@2bayboys So cute!!! No jump filler is safe :joy:

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What is it that anything attached to a ground line as decor becomes an edible … :roll_eyes: :smile:

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You know, it just occurred to me that the TB rescue I volunteer at is in the process of turning itself into a groundbased hippotherapy program for first responders and veterans. Not all the horses on the property are TBs, but like 95% of them are. And of course, even then a lot of the TBs aren’t going to be suited to a ground based therapy program. But most of the TBs are so used to being handled and so kind that I am pretty sure there will be plenty of horses for the hippotherapy program.

And honestly, I don’t really think about TBs as being therapy horses, but just like any other breed there’s enough variety in temperament and reactiveness that it really shouldn’t be surprising that some TBs can be excellent therapy horses.

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