I foxhunted one OTTB that I got after he raced for 6 yrs. I’d only had him a month, but he was so well mannered (been there, done that!) I took a chance. He was perfect in the field. He had run so many times, he was very “rateable”. Also he was very noticeably over at the knees, but jumped in really good form.
the draw reins…
[QUOTE=NancyM;4617860]
Oh drawreins on galloping racehorses have been quite common in my experience! I agree, quite scarey, chin on chest and no steering, since they don’t use a second rein as well that is attached to the bit. “Too confusing to use two sets of reins”.[/QUOTE]
Seconding this. What little I’ve seen, it’s rarely in what would be considered classically “educated” hands and usually with only the draw rein. Racetracking is new for me, so I try to learn first and form an opinion later, but I almost needed a tongue depressor for this one.
Interesting on the use of draw reins… maybe more of a Canadian thing? I galloped in the Mid-Atlantic for over 25 yrs, probably saw two go in draw reins…one flipped while galloping and planted the rider. He was a very tough horse who tended to get his head up. I think I would rather get run off with than do a face plant! I’ve used German Martingales on a few… experimental on tough horses… sometimes it worked, sometimes not. Traditional gags are not common, but I have used one once, I didnt care for it nor did the horse, but he was controlable.
Anyway, sorry you missed seeing this guy in person, but there are so many others available… you pretty much will have your pick on what your looking for! Good Luck!
I’ve only seen one set of draw reins up here, and when I did see them I did a double take. The trainer/rider was shedrowing in them and continued to do so for several weeks on his young horses. I think they even went to the track a handful of times in them. More common for the “tough” horses up here would be the three ring elevator/gag/barrel/whatever you want to call it leverage bit on the bottom ring, or a poke (kineton) or a combo of the both 
My husband is extremely critical of all these devices, so beyond the rare horton bit or similar, everything in the tack room is a snaffle on a normal bridle with an exercising running martingale (yoke with clip on rings).
Bogie,
Your experience with hunting and ottb’s sounds interesting, and what i would almost think would be ‘typical’ of the track horse. wow…sounds like you have done a good job…!! and now look what you have…a cadillac. way to go.
To help…I am trying to ask about horse that ‘DON’T’ want to race…(: I am also getting to know lines ect…to see which ones tend to have good minds, good bone, good feet…and remember to look at the individual.
I’m not in a huge hurry…my retired foxhunter is being evaluated for a therapeutic riding program…its a 90 day evaluation. Its only been 40 so far…
I am keeping my horse population to 2 on 6acres…per hubby and practical reasons.
Thanks for the interesting input…
