News
"Stay focused and don't get caught up in the myths."- Gary Stevens
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June 18, 2009 Whatever Happened to Horsemanship? Something has been bothering me for quite awhile and I've been meaning to write about it. I have a serious question. "Whatever happened to common sense and horsemanship?" While at competitions I like to observe and listen to the folks around me, and what I've discovered is that many people are lacking simple knowledge of how to care for their horses properly. I could care less about the expensive tack or the custom tailored jackets or the gigantic tractor trailers. That doesn't impress me. Coaches and trainers aren't teaching their clients what to do. Maybe it's because they don't know any better themselves. It chaps my ass of the lack of care and attention to detail. Here is my list: 1) when in the warm up area whether it's preparing for your Dressage test or jumping, be observant to those around you. If you're jumping fences, you need to call it out loudly as to what fence you're preparing to jump. That way people will stay out of the way. The same goes for flat work. Don't ride up behind another horse. Don't have your dressage whip stuck straight out horizontally so that you touch another rider. Call out "inside" or "outside" when approaching another horse. Rule of thumb is left shoulder to left shoulder - but for me, being able to verbally communicate to those around in a polite manner always works. 2) do not over jump your horse in warm up. When you're at a show, that is the time to "warm-up" for your class. It is NOT a time to take a lesson, train or drill a horse and rider. It's too late for that and isn't appropriate. 3) listen to your horse and be observant to it's physical condition. This is especially important during the hot Summer months or the freezing conditions of Winter. Watch for his sweating habits, tempo of his breathing, any physical stress and do something about it. Don't just sit there and ignore a panting horse. 4) when you cross the finish at cross country, GET OFF YOUR HORSE'S BACK and walk your horse back to their stall. After crossing the finish, immediately jump off and loosen the girth and the flash. Take a quick mental note about cuts, scrapes, shoes, breathing and sweating and start on foot back to your stall. 5) understand and learn how to cool a horse out properly. That means quickly untacking the horse, have a prepared bucket with all your supplies ready, and hose off and scrape the horse until the water scrapes off cool to the touch. After hosing comes hand walking to cool the body temperature and slow the breathing. At the track it's called "hot walking". That is done either by hand or by the hot walking machine for at least 10 to 15 minutes. 6) clean your stalls, keep water buckets filled and have hay available at all times. Don't show up at 9:00 am when you're horse has been waiting to be fed since 7:00 am. If you can't get to the stall in time, make arrangements with friends to water and feed your horse for you. 7) clean your equipment and make sure that it fits the horse properly. The same goes for equipment for the rider (helmets). Since I deal with race horses, I think #4 and # 5 bother me the most. Riders aren't tuning in to their horses, they lack the 'science' of cooling hot muscles and have skipped the chapter on horsemanship. The other question is who out there is going to pony-up and make an effort in becoming a better horseman?
May18, 2009 Brother's Reunion at Chattahoochee Hills Championships The Dillion family of South Carolina met up with Benny and I at the Chattahoochee Hills Championships this past weekend. After a busy day, Olivia walked Forrest (Peas 'n Carrots) over to our stalls for a brief visit.
Benny seemed to have recognized his brother Forrest while they sniffed noses. We all laughed at how they behaved as they arched their necks. They resemble each other in the eye and body shape and of course their super personalities. If only I could have an entire barn full of them - I'd be a wealthy woman!
Forrest is a year older and has been competing in Eventing for a year, as Benny has just begun his new career away from the track. It was fun to compare the brothers and to imagine where Benny is going to be with his eventing skills 12 months from now. Olivia purchased Forrest from me a year ago and they have been successfully competing at Novice. Olivia and Forrest will be moving up to Training Level in early Autumn of 2009.
It was great to see the Dillion family and how well Forrest has settled into their lives. I can sleep well at night and never have to worry.
April 23, 2009 A Month Later
It's been a month since the last update on Irish's progress, and I wish all my horses could be as easy as this gentle giant. Aside from a few double barrel bucks (I should be doing the rodeo circuit) and one nip on my leg (quite typical of any 3 year old), Irish has been steady and willing in his progress. His fitness level is getting better as we do our daily walks, and I'm beginning to see the potential as he matures. At this time, I continue to keep on the same routine but have increased the ride time and have started to work with him on being forward from my leg and introducing the trot.
As his training continues, we work on straightness, bending, neck reining and hopefully cantering by the 1st week of May. I've discovered that he is smart and brave - something that will be useful in the hunt field and in the years to come.
March 20, 2009 A Fantastic Prospect
Here at the farm and at the track, we take our time with youngsters when breaking them. The horses will let us know when they're ready to have a rider on their backs, as long as we've done all the proper steps prior to sitting on them.
I first belly the horses and then after a few times, get a leg-up and gently lower myself into their backs. We then turn a few times in the stall to the left and right and give the horses a chance to feel the rein and leg pressure while turning.
As for Irish, his demeanor is gentle and he has put his full trust in me. I think that you've got to have a good relationship from the beginning in order to have a successful end. I fell in love with him the moment we first met and that has allowed for his breaking to flow along quickly and systematically.
Irish was lead around the shed row first without me on his back. The training farm is very busy and there is a lot to look at. Again, I take my time with the young horses and read their body language.
Another leg-up and this time Irish and I are lead around the shed row.
Today's training went really well and it was a positive experience for Irish. He stayed quiet and was very willing to negotiate everything that we asked of him. Tomorrow will be much of the same, but the lead pony will be added to escort us around. Irish is having a super start. It'll be in no time that folks can watch him Hill Topping at the Hunt.
March 10, 2009 Welcome Irish!
Irish comes from Gainesville, Florida to be broke and begin his career as a Fox Hunter. He's a big Irish lad who recently turned 3 years old. For the next 3 months he will be in training, starting from the very basics of learning to wear a bridle, being bellied, wearing a training saddle to finally having a rider on his back.
He has already been quite busy experiencing new things and is taking it all in stride. He has a beautiful personality and is a nice addition to the farm. His rump is so broad that you could sit a tea cup on it and never spill a drop.
Feb. 18, 2009
Training, Lessons and Sales Zeb is back on the road working at a number of farms throughout North Georgia, assisting riders and training horses in a variety of disciplines from Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Horsemanship. With over 25 years experience, she has a proven track record in starting young horses and teaching riders at all levels.
Lessons and training are scheduled by calling Zeb directly at (404) 202-4935. She teaches on Tuesday through Sunday, though not on weekends when she is competing. Lessons start at $50.See the SERVICES page for further information.
Jan. 5, 2009 Reflections of Heathcliff It's tough watching your partner grow old. I've discovered as Heathcliff has changed through the years, that I've been changing right along with him. We've gotten old together.
I was returning back to the shed row when I first noticed him. He was a deep chestnut galloping alone in a pasture against the background of the training track. I kept my eye on him as I rode up the pathway and it was a good thing that I did because from the back of the pasture, the chestnut colt took off at full speed down the side of the fenceline straight for us. The next thing I heard was a high pitch shrill when he spots us and there was no slowing down as he was getting closer to the end of the field. I can remember feeling a pit in my stomach and realizing that this crazy chestnut was going to crash into the fence. I jumped off my horse and yelled for help from the grooms and a handful of stout Irish boys came to the barn's doorway to see what trouble the silly American girl got herself into. I was scared to look in the direction of the colt. There was nothing anyone could do to stop him. He screamed again when he got to the fence, rocked back onto his hind quarters and lifted off the ground giving it everything he had, while clearing the 4'8" fence. We were all silent. We stood there looking at each other, looking at the fence and back at each other. He cleared it. He more than cleared it - he sailed over it. It was beautiful. . .It was poetry. It was the type of jump folks would talk about over a pint at the local pub. The silence broke with a, "Bloody f- - - - - hell! Did you see that?" We soon after found the chestnut colt grazing peacefully outside the broodmare's paddock, with the ladies standing nearby trying to get the colt's attention. That was how it all began. It's been a love affair 20 years since.
To say that Heathcliff was an easy horse to manage through the years would be stretching the truth. He was an extremely competitive horse and got the reputation of being difficult. Early in his racing career during a steeplechase, he once bit a horse that come up on the rail. Putting shoes on him was another story and usually took 3 guys backing him in the corner of the stall and practically tackling him to get the shoes nailed on. All the while, I loved him. To me I thought that he had grit, determination and heart. I felt that he was misunderstood, if only someone would take the time to get to know him. But training on a racing farm with 60 other prospects and finding the time for one-on-one personal attention was difficult. After my rides in the morning I would eat lunch at the colt's stall. I stood with him in his stall and he would let me brush him and stroke his face and blow softly in his nostrils. To this day, our quiet time together is when he lets me hold his head in my arms.
I was given the chance to ride him in our first race together as an Amateur Rider. I have to admit that I went into the race knowing absolutely nothing and in an odd way I think we were better off not knowing too much. It was later confessed to me that the farm didn't think we would ride well and that I would be sent home with my tail between my legs. The odds were against us and if anyone placed money on us, it would be foolish. But for those who did . . . it was SWEEEET!
Heathcliff is a big horse - coming from what I consider to be the old-time pedigree stock of big horses with legs like iron. His bloodlines are a history lesson of famous sires - Pretense, Swaps, Khaled, Hyperion, Flattery, War Admiral. Nowadays I seem to ride small models that are bred between 15.2 and 16 hands. It seems rare when one comes along higher than that. Heathcliff stood at 17.2 hands as 3 year old.
He turned 22 years old this past Jan. 1. We celebrated with a few diced up carrots in his feed bin. He seems to be losing weight, muscle and hair. His forelock use to dangle down over his eyes and now it has gotten thinner and shorter. He creaks when he walks and is stiff in his joints. I've also discovered that his molars are loose, so now he eats a special mix of hot senior feed with corn oil and alfalfa cubes.
I think back of the races and horse trials we did together. I remind him of the crazy stuff we use to do and whisper to him about the fences, picnic tables, wagons and flat beds we would fly over. And I thank him for teaching me so much about horsemanship and still being quite useful as the baby-sitter to the farm's young Event prospects.
I don't know if there will ever be another horse in my barn with the same heart and desire that Heathcliff has. I will always have that picture in my head of him sailing over the pasture's fence. It was beautiful . . . it was pure poetry.
Dec. 2, 2008
Save the Date for the Aiken Event Horse Sale!
On March 2-3, 2009, there will be an exciting 2 days of horse shopping in Aiken, S.C. It's a perfect place to find your next competition horse. Check out www.aikeneventhorsesale.com for more information or direct your inquiries to Sarah or Craig at 803-634-0379.
Nov. 4, 2008 Tinners Way Standing at Key Ranch Farm - Texas
Thoroughbred Sire Tinners Way - http://www.keyranch.com/Tinners_Way.htm Little Kentucky Farm's Artful Way's sire is a Multiple Grade 1 Stakes Winner of $1,847,734. He is a back-to-back Winner of the $1,000,000 Pacific Classic [G1] Tinners Way equaled Track Records in both the Pacific Classic [G1] and the Californian Stakes [G1] He is also from the Final Crop of Triple Crown Winner SECRETARIAT Tinners Way progeny Earnings of over $2.8 Million to date.
2000 foal Artful Way by Tinners Way
September 6, 2008 2nd Place for Olivia Dillion and Peas n' Carrots! It is extremely satisfying to see former LKF horses compete and win at competitions. The Dillion family of South Carolina continue to work and train Peas n' Carrots in a fashion that grows both horse and rider's confidence. Their dedication and commitment to excel is paying off. Congratulations to both horse and rider!
Olivia and Forrest earn a 33% dressage score.
Double clean in Stadium and Cross Country.
July 29, 2008 Mr. Peterman and Kim Mayfield = Dedication and Harmony Former LKF Thoroughbred Mr. Peterman is certainly living up to his new name (Cruz Control)! Kim continues to train and do her homework and the payoff is placing them at the top of their game out West.
The photos of this fine pair proves the quality of Thoroughbred here at Little Kentucky Farm. The young prospects are talented, willing and competitive. Talking to Kim when she was considering buying Cruz, I emphasized what it meant to invest in one of my horses. I was already competing this horse and knew that he had the ability to go at least Intermediate. I wanted someone who was going to be committed and serious in continuing the horse's training and from our conversation, Kim was that woman.
Hi Zeb! Just wanted to say "Hello" and let you know Jack is doing great! I changed his name to Cruz Control aka Cruz. We wrapped up a wonderful season last year in 3rd place at the Novice Championships and moved up to Training level this spring for both our first times.
At our first show, we got several compliments on our stadium round. Cruz ran our first Training cross country like he was a schoolmaster. What a great feeling! We finished 6th out of 15 riders. Our next show, we were 3rd after dressage and ran a good cross country but had his first refusal. There were 15 fences in the water complex and a huge crowd of spectators. I just never got him focused on the fence, but otherwise, it was a great job with several new and hard questions for us. We finished 10th out of 19 starters. Our last show this spring also went well. The cross country ran at the fastest speed yet and we were a couple seconds too slow, but a solid dressage score and 1 of only 2 clean stadium rounds ended us in 6th out of 14 riders. Overall, it was a great start to a new level and I couldn't be more pleased!
Cruz is still a barn favorite. He talks to everyone that goes by and has so much personality. He gets compliments everywhere we go and is turning out to be an excellent trail horse, too! I am so proud to own such an amazing horse!
Hope your season
finds you equally as blessed,
July 24, 2008 Olivia Dillon and Peas n' Carrots Have Their Game Faces On! I can't say how much I enjoy hearing terrific news about former Little Kentucky Farm horses and their new owners successfully training and competing in Eventing. The farm has an emphasis mainly in young prospects who are former race horses. We devote many hours of hands on training for Eventing, that way perspective buyers will have a head start once they have purchased a talented Thoroughbred from Little Kentucky Farm. Forrest was sold in March (2008) of this year to the Dillon family of South Carolina. They are very involved and quite serious in the sport of Eventing and were wanting a 2nd mount for their daughter Olivia. She is doing extremely well and has plans on training and competing in the upper levels. When they came to try Forrest, it was a perfect match and I could tell that I was making a wise decision in working with the Dillon family.
Hello! Well Forrest was
in his first show this past Saturday and of course he was awesome!
He had a dressage score of 38 which I thought was very good and
he had a clear stadium round. Then on Sunday we went cross-country
schooling. We schooled a lot of the beginner novice and novice
jumps along with the banks and water! He was sooooo great! I could
not have asked him to be better!
July 21, 2008 You've Got to Practice the Bogie Fences! My arm has been healed for some time now, but not without this funny dark patch of skin that reminds me of what went wrong during the 2nd water obstacle at Poplar earlier this Spring. It's my bogie fence. Ray and I were on the Prelim course and going at a good clip. Came out of the woods to the 2nd water where you gallop downhill to a very large log oxer, kick into a short 1 stride over a tipped over canoe, and then drop down into the water. Ray was so pumped that instead of simply dropping into the water, he flew like Superman over the canoe and about 25' out into the water. This horse had wings! I didn't stick the landing and hung onto his neck as he continued to gallop. I tried to lift myself back up into the saddle, but after an unsuccessful attempt to run on water, I gave up and did a face plant into the murky tad pole hatchery. Meanwhile, Ray took off as happy as can be and was later caught. Me? Well my pride and arm got extremely bruised and and I've replayed what I should have done over and over again in my head. I decided to take this Summer to train heavily on how to gallop properly to fences, to get my leg to compact the horse together and get his hind legs under himself and to gain back the confidence over the water at Poplar.
Werner Gevens is the resident trainer at Poplar Place Farm in Columbus, GA. He rides for his homeland of Netherlands and jumping is his specialty. He was at the water when I fell from Ray so he had a great perspective of what should have been done. He said that we looked like we jumped The Head of The Lake at Rolex. The goal is to keep the horse put 'together' at the approach to the fence, engage the hind end from my legs to my hands and then keep a light feel as the reins slip at take off. A problem I was experiencing was the galloping to a fence, where Ray would come too fast, flatten out and not listen to my half halts. A great exercise Werner had us do 3 times (the 3rd time was perfect - Ray caught on fast) was to come galloping to the fence and then well in front of it, close my leg and draw my hands firmly back and bring him to a halt in front of the fence. The hard part was keeping Ray's entire body straight, firmly closing my legs first then to a steady hand second, and finally getting his hind end under himself. Once Ray was reminded to 'keep it together', everything flowed easily.
I've also discovered that Ray is a very honest jumper. You can point him to anything and he is going to take you over it. We worked on keeping our line correct over the fence. That meant that as long as I had my eyes up and focused to where we were going, then it was going to be a good fence. We worked on straight approaches and diagonal approaches from the left or from the right. We also learned some secrets to shave off a lot of time on course.
The prelim log is actually quite a large fence that sits on a downward angle. To approach, the rider has to make a right turn towards it. The obstacle will back the horse off and this is where the rider needs to be timely with their legs and slip the reins.
Because I could feel Ray setting himself up to the first part of the fence, I started to slip the rein and added more leg. When we landed after the log, I kept on kicking to the canoe and pressed us over it and down into the water. Because of my tempo and my balanced connection, I was better able to control the type of jump we had into the water. Ray never lurched into the water but rather slipped himself down into a soft landing. Riding correctly has also improved Rays form and ability over the fences. He has gotten tighter with his legs and is more careful not to touch the obstacle.
There is always room for improvement, but I'm happy to say that the bricks of confidence have been laid for Ray and I, and I'm really excited about the trials in September. The bogie fence is definitely a thing of the past, but I think I am still going to look at my arm every now and then - just to keep it real.
July 15, 2008 Leaving For The Twin Spires Photos by Michelle Jennings It was quiet when I walked into the barn this morning. The stalls have all been stripped and limed, where I use to whisper my morning greetings to each horse as I walked down the aisle. They left this past Saturday for Louisville and I wish them the best of luck, to be good and make us proud.
The horses are always escorted to the track by the farm trainer Frank Lewis and his lead pony. The pony is an important piece of the training puzzle because he gives a young Thoroughbred confidence, guidance and assistance to the exercise rider when needed. Any advice and instruction as to how the horse is to be ridden is given on the way down. Since it's the week that the horses are leaving for Louisville, their routine has been kicked up a notch. The horses are asked for more gallop speed and I am to keep them focused at the job at hand.
The horses can surprise you by suddenly shying at shadows or the grooves in the footing. When I'm riding, I try to stay 3 steps ahead with my thinking and response time. You get to know each and every one of the babies with their personalities. I read into what their ears are saying and if you're riding next to me, I'm always talking to my horse. I like it when I've got their ears clicking front to back, then I know that they're listening to me.
Even their head and neck position tells me if they're doing their job. In the photo above, the picture was snapped just before I tapped the colt with the whip. He wasn't focusing and was looking a bit green because he was interested in the person with the camera. Once he felt my whip, he stretched into the bridle for me. The horses are going to have so many new experiences at Churchill they better learn to recover quickly.
Heading back to the barn the horses are asked to walk up to the starting gates and stand in front of them with their head inside the stall. We avoid any or all traumatic possibilities and give them a good experience. Having a solid workout helps to tire them out a bit and they're more likely to walk into the gate without any fuss. Little by little they inch their way through, and the lesson becomes easier for them each time we do it. There is a filly left at the farm along with the up and coming youngsters who are to be broke in September. The filly is a late bloomer, but there are some big dreams everyone has about her because she already stands at 16 hands and has the conformation and smarts that could make her a winner at the races. So now I whisper in her ear. I think she likes it.
June 22, 2008 The last time I went on holiday was. . . ."
I woke up and looked at the alarm, trying to focus my blurred vision. It read 4:35 am. Didn't I just go to bed? When was the last time I slept past 5 am? When was the last time I lounged in a bathrobe, relaxed with a cup of coffee and actually remembered to brush my hair? I can't remember as I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed in the dark. I stumbled around and I'm pretty sure I pulled on the same dirty pair of jeans that I wore the day before. I think I use to wear makeup and I vaguely remember something called pantyhose. When was the last time I went on holiday? I'm out of the house every morning by 5:00 am, where I race against the clock, especially during the hot Georgia Summers. The farm has been doing really well and we've been fortunate to be working nice racing and Eventing prospects. Having a batch of quiet horses makes the day flow smooth without too many setbacks. All of the sale horses are gone and have been replaced with new ones who are making the adjustment of transforming themselves from race horse into event horses. Overnight, the workload seems to have doubled with much of my time divided between Georgia and Kentucky.
I caught this kitten chasing the tail of a 2 yr. old colt My Prelim horse (Ray) seems to be on the 'frequent miles program' and goes everywhere I go. The truck has the trailer hitched to it 24/7, and when I'm at the track, Ray is in tow with me. I've been lucky to have access to the track and be able to gallop him. Now that he has moved up, we need to get confident and steady at traveling 520 mpm. That's easy enough do to on a flat terrain, but when you're out course, toss in a few hills and some hefty fences and that seems to spice things up a bit.
Once everyone has been fed, it's time to tack up and take the 2 year olds out to train on the track. It's a 5/8 mile track that we first trot around and then pick up a nice steady gallop and go on for another 2 laps. When we bring them down to a trot afterwards, the horses are gradually pulled up and turned into the inside rail where we quietly stand a a few seconds. We then ask the horses to back up by pressing the yoke of the martingale against their chest, turn and jog back to the start. At the start, the horses are turned in again to the rail and made to stand. We back them one more time with the martingale and on a loose rein walk to the starting gates.All this is done under the watchful eye of trainer Frank Lewis.
I ride all of my Eventing Prospects either at the track or at the training farm
At the gates the horses are allowed to smell and touch the panels from the outside. I always make sure that they stand quietly with their heads somewhat inside the gate and are focusing through to the other side where the lead pony is standing. We do this for about a week and at each approach, the horses want to go further into the gates on their own. It's a pleasant experience and isn't rushed. The gates at home are a lot smaller than the ones at the track and it is very cramped once inside. Gate training is very important and all of our horses have always gotten their gate cards the first time around.
The starting gate
We finish galloping everyone by 10:30 and I've got my usual double espresso along with a Rock Star Power Drink waiting for me. Soon the idea of going on holiday is a distant memory. There is a discussion of what horse trial should be entered, or planning the next road trip to the Keeneland sales or dates when the batch of 2 years olds are leaving for the track with the scheduling of starting the new batch.
2008 foals
The only time I get a chance to sit down is on the back of a horse, otherwise I think I'd probably grow roots and never move. I'm suppose to meet up with a girlfriend for lunch later. She is a corporate type who gets her nails done, sits in air conditioning so she never sweats, wears Prada and yes. . . she wears pantyhose. For me, it's a ball cap to hide my 'helmet hair' and I most certainly have dirt under my nails and instead of Prada, it's Ariat. We sit across from each other and chat about the usual stuff while munching on Ceasar salads. Then by coincidence she tells me how she is planning a trip to the beach and that I should come with her. I immediately sit up a little straighter and imagined laying on a towel with sand between my toes and the smell of salty air. I was told that the food was incredible and that there was an active night life with sidewalk boutiques that sold silver jewlery, leather goods and pottery. I found myself grinning at the idea of getting away to La-La Land.
Is this the next Kentucky Derby Champion?
My cell phone suddenly snaps me back to reality as the hay man on the other end says, "Miss Zeb, we can have a semi load down to you in 2 days." I start to ask him about the quality of the cutting, what the approximate protein count might be along with the cost per ton, as my friend across the table looks at me as if I'm wearing overalls and have a corn cobb pipe in my mouth. "Wow," she later said to me. "It sounds pretty scientific. What's the big deal anyway? It's just grass." I was about to go into my rendition of 'Agriculture 101', when a little voice inside my head told me that she just doesn't get 'it'. Instead, I smiled and said that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to leave on holiday. I thanked her for the invite and said that I had too much on my plate to leave town and it's hard to find a replacement for me. I asked her to bring me back a silver bracelet. "Don't you have people to do this stuff for you?" she asked in her Long Island accent. "You and your family have always been into those smelly things." "Yeah, we have and I can remember you enjoying yourself in our box at the Derby a few years ago. They weren't smelly back then," I replied. I then stopped feeling sorry for myself and gave up the thought of a holiday when my girlfriend sat smerking back at me. I never bothered to tell her that she had bright red lipstick all over her teeth. . . Oops!
Trainer and manager, Frank Lewis on his lead pony
April 7, 2008 Your Ex-Race
Horse . . . This is How it Begins
I grab my tack and pass through the office, and as I do I have their eyes looking down on me. So many photos . . . black and white irreplaceable photos of past winners, their grooms and beaming faces smiling at anyone who passes near. In one photo, stands HRH Queen Elizabeth wearing the lovely fashion of the 1960’s with lilac colored gloves as she holds a large silver cup in the Winner’s Circle. I go through my usual routine each time I pass, repeating their names to myself – El Senor, Decidedly (Kentucky Derby winner), Northern Dancer (Derby and Preakness winner), Nijinski (leading Broodmare sire), Tap Shoes, Riva Ridge and I am in awe that they were once here. Every season a fresh batch of young fillies and colts come in from the fields to be broke and prepped for their freshman year as a racehorse. In a way it’s a type of graduation where they’ve learned how to count and do their A B C’s. Now, playtime is over and it is time to get serious. By 2 years of age, the Thoroughbred is very advanced in their training and handling compared to the average horse. They’ve become accustom to wearing full tack, how to be groomed and bathed daily, being tied and exercised on a hot walker, adjusting how to walk, trot, canter and gallop, exiting from the start gate and eventually leaving home on a big semi. It all has its place and time in the education and future success of each Thoroughbred on the farm, and if they’re lucky enough, they may even one day have their photo placed on the wall along with the others. Each person involved has a particular ‘duty’ in handling the horses and the horses are very aware of it. I compare it to a pit crew at a car race, where there is a set routine and generally a time allotted to each horse. I’ve always told people that Thoroughbred horses are creatures of ‘habit’, where they become accustom to the daily schedule, and this is something one needs to understand when working with them whether at the track or in transition to become a show horse.
Legging up in the stall is for safety We always tack up in the stalls, putting the bridles over the halters, smoothing out the saddlecloths and lightly cinching the girth. A groom tacks the horse and then the hot walker person holds the horse as I get a leg up. Mounting blocks are never used, as the routine is to be as similar to what the horses will experience once at the track. Every moment around the youngster is a learning experience for them. I always support myself over the horse’s withers during the leg-up and then gently lower myself. I never flop down or smack my legs against the girth area after getting legged up. We talk a lot to the horses in a low tone, rub their necks and make them feel safe. The hot walker person then circles me around in the stall until the horse relaxes through the spine and accepts my lower leg at the girth. With the thin exercise saddles on, you can easily feel the back of the horse. If you have a spine creeping in between your butt cheeks, I usually have the hot walker turn me in the stall a few times until the spine starts to relax down. Once out of the stall, I tightened the girth (always while in the saddle), and my job as an exercise rider is to encourage the young Thoroughbred to move forward from my leg, torso and voice. In the early training stages, we stay inside the shed row for a full week prior to going out to the track and use a nice quite lead pony a few feet in front of us to follow. The lead pony is bombproof and often settles a young Thoroughbred and gives them confidence and security. There is an occasional over active colt feeling his oats and may bump into the rear end of the lead pony and want to play. This is when I nudge them forward, keeping my hands low and soft and clucking them on. Training a young racehorse to concentrate and develop a solid work ethic early on is extremely important. We invest thorough and correct training into each horse so that once they leave the farm, they’ll have had a great start in their careers and the odds won’t be so much against them. I am also very aware that they may not make it at the track, and if I can teach the horses the proper basics early on, then they can develop into nice show horses (especially Eventers).
The shed row has a mix of dirt and sand around the perimeter of the stalls with a tall ceiling that allows for indoor workouts. December through March is when we start to break the babies and because you can never depend upon the weather that time of year, riding around the indoor path is great. Something a lot of people don’t realize is that ex-track horses do really well in indoor arenas simply because of this early training experience of working inside. After the colts and fillies are backed, the next step is to have the young horses moving forward at a trot, keeping a pace and getting physically conditioned. Some can be fussy with their heads or lean into your hands, while others trot happily around with ears perked. As a rider, you’ve got to not only be fit and have stamina but you also need to be versatile and aware that every horse is an individual who requires respect. By March, the training schedule has picked up quite a bit and the workload has increased, again with the intent of preparing the horses either for the track or for the sales.
So now we come into another phase of training, and teach independence and require the colts and fillies to really listen to what the rider is saying to them. They even need to learn what the stick means. Their usual response is with a question, such as, “Why are you tapping me with that annoying thing? I guess I’ll just slow down or stop altogether!” It’s a strange reaction that you may not expect, but in time they adjust and learn that a tap on the shoulder or behind the leg means to go faster.
Again, it takes a few days to adjust and learn to move freely forward. We will also add another colt or filly in the line up and have them work around together prior to going to the training track. It’s really interesting to see where their minds are at this moment because some become a bit competitive and want to be up front. Some will speed up in the turns and some will decide to slow down along the long side of the shed. This is when it’s helpful to follow up with the trainer and communicate what we’re feeling on top of the horse so that there is a game plan on what to watch out for once on the track. When the rides are over, the babies are cooled out either on the hot walker or hand walked, brushed and then taken back out to the pastures to graze and play until the next day. I gather up all the equipment and make my way back through the office to the tack room where again, I’m met with those faces staring down at me from the walls. I don’t walk too quickly through this part of the barn. Everyday when I look up at those photos, it is as if I am looking at them for the first time – I never tire of them but rather finish my day with a habit I’ve gotten myself into of repeating their names to myself, “El Senor, Decidedly, Northern Dancer, Nijinski, Tap Shoes, Riva Ridge . . . ”
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