Re-training Abuse/Neglect OTTBs
The fifth step of OTTB ownership is the re-training process. Your OTTB will fall into 1 of 4 categories: abuse/neglect, straight from the track, already re-trained, or retired. If you bought an already re-trained horse, you won’t need to read my entries for a while. But if your horse falls into the other 3 categories, I will be talking separately about them.
First I’ll discuss abuse/neglect OTTBs. These can technically include horses from any of the categories, as this group of horse’s can cross categories, but I feel that abused and neglected OTTBs are their own category. Why? For the simple reason that they will need special consideration, time, and effort in their training. This is the hardest group of OTTBs to work with.
There are some basics that can fit all OTTBs, not just the abuse cases. If they are literally straight off the track, they most likely don’t know how to be horses. They were kept alone in a stall, taken out only to run and be exercised. They will need to be slowly introduced to other horses you may have, and be prepared for dominance fights – they will happen, and there isn’t much you can do except keep an eye on them and separate them if a serious injury occurs; that’s just how horses work, thanks to herd mentality. But OTTBs may be harder to introduce to other horses as they will lack horse social skills. Also, since they were stalled nearly 24/7, pastures and fencing will be foreign to them. Take the time to walk them around the pasture, make sure they take notice of the fence so they won’t run into it later (though if you have electric fencing, be prepared for them to freak out when they inevitably touch it with their nose).
When you start the process of re-training your abused or neglected OTTB, you will have to start slow. It will be a long process. You may have one that was hit in the face, and it will be a challenge just to halter them. Always remember: TAKE IT SLOW. You can’t rush an abused horse – you will just make them even more scared of you. This is the point where a small round pen would be helpful. A round pen will let the horse have it’s freedom while still be confined enough for you to work with it. Spend the time to just build trust; turn the horse loose in the round pen and try just being able to walk up to their head without them turning away or running away. Treats are useful for getting their attention, but be warned that while it is a useful aid, it could build bad manners later on, like treat begging or finger nipping. When you can walk up to them, try slipping the halter on and off, until you get to a point where they don’t jerk their head away or get upset. Remember: these things will not happen fast! While some are smart and quick learners, most may take many weeks or months to trust you. My own OTTB, I quickly discovered after purchase, had issues with being touched on the head. It took a long time before he was okay with it, and now I can do anything I want/need to do to his face, eyes, and ears.
Once a certain level of trust is established, don’t start riding right away. Start with exercising on the lunge line in a round pen. This can also be a trust building experience with your OTTB as they will learn your commands, expectations, and that you have no intention of yelling at them or striking out at them. Lunging will also help condition the OTTB that may be underweight or lack muscling. If that’s true, lunging to build mass and muscle is a must before you even try to ride as riding an underweight horse can put strain on their spine and the little muscling they may have. Once again: take your time, time it slow.
(Click here to watch a video on lunging.)
When it comes time to hop in the saddle, you should be working with a horse that trusts you and has ground and lunging manners (respect for you). If you start the riding re-training portion with your horse in that frame of mind, then the process should be no different then re-training a normal straight off the track OTTB. So…
Next post: re-training an OTTB that is straight off the track.
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