Standardbred re-training

[ticericer1]

Hi everybody! I love reading on this forum and finally decided to ask a question of my own. I work at a standardbred racing farm and was wondering if it is reasonably possible to train a pacer or trotter to be a normal wtc riding horse? Some of these horses have beautiful huge trots but i've never seen them just run. Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks

[cloudyandcallie]

I board where there is a free loaner old SB gelding and he is such a gentleman! He is used for lessons, and he canters, altho he moves a little differently either cause he was on the track in Bermuda or because he is arthritic. So yes he does canter. He is a donation to a college program but is loaned out free to the people where I board as he is not as good as a hunter/jumper as are the TBs. But he is a great old gentleman.

[99horses]

Hi and welcome. There is a STB breeding farm up the road from here and I have seen some of the mares and babies walk and trot but haven't seen a canter but I am sure they could. I love watching the trotters especially the black with the white socks, they are so flashy. Where are you from?

[fuller_meadows]

I used to own 2 stb that I bought at an auction, The amish owned them prior to the auction. they both cantered very nicely, they were excelent temperment for my kids and I, since I was pretty much starting over after haveing a break off from horses for almost 2 years. They would actually race each other when we got them going at a canter, what fun that was. Maybe talk to a trainer there where you work and see if they have ideas as to how to push them to a canter. It might take a little more effort, since they are trained to stay at the pace I believe it is.

[greygirls]

Funny you should ask! I'm just starting my Standie at cantering under saddle this year. So to answer your question, it is possible but it takes alot of time, patience & work to get them there. But man is it worth it! My girl loves to canter & she is actually very smooth at a canter too. I wasn't expecting that from a breed not meant to canter let alone carry a rider, but she is smooth smooth smooth! She also has a beautiful extended trot as well. It looks as though she's floating on air. Now her trot is not as easy to ride as her canter but my instructor thinks that's just because she's such a big girl, she has big movement. She paces as well but she seems to learning quite quickly that if she trots or canters, I'm more comfortable which makes her more comfortable as well.

[haleyg]

Oh yes they do canter. We breed, raise and race them. They are encouraged not when they are racing, but just think of them as having a extra gait. Do lots of trot and canter poles. They do come to it easier on softer ground then hard ground. Here are some link to Standarbred club throughout the states.
http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm...asp?a=693&z=17

[breburtch]

Originally Posted by ticericer1

Hi everybody! I love reading on this forum and finally decided to ask a question of my own. I work at a standardbred racing farm and was wondering if it is reasonably possible to train a pacer or trotter to be a normal wtc riding horse? Some of these horses have beautiful huge trots but i've never seen them just run. Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks

It is very possible to re train standardbreds i have rode a few and have seen several that were ex trotters and pacers move onto riding careers. check out this site and you can read about a few and learn different things about standardbreds http://www.freewebs.com/unharnessedstandardbredsclub/
one of my friends ex horses is featured on the website his name is savvy pleasure he was so amazing i helped her out with him several times while boarding there sadly he never did make it to a riding career as hoped due to a fractured coffin bone

[greygirls]

I forgot to mention, cantering straight is easier than on a circle for them when they're first learning.

[kmdudette]

I have a STB gelding that is off the track - these horses are so athletic. He is a pacer - but the pacers also trot naturally - I worked him free lunge to teach him commands from the ground to canter and then it was a simple transition to under saddle. I am training him Dressage - he has a huge extended trot and a beautiful collected canter that floats - the STB's are so forward moving and light in the front it makes them perfect for Eventing, Jumping, Dressage, etc and they are not a spooky horse so they make good trail horses too!

Enjoy!!!

If you look at my logo picture that is me on my STB gelding. Picture is from 2 years ago - his 1st year under saddle.

KM

[TikiGator]

No advice for you here, but I must say they make excellent jumpers!!

I have seen a few at shows and they are super athletic and very good looking!

[xcjmpr]

Go here http://www.horseadoption.com

They rescue and adopt out TB's and STB's off the track. Lots of helpful stuff on their site about retraining.

[DiamondWillow]

I am brand new to the board but I just HAVE to answer- I LOVE Standardbreds - so much in fact - that I am searching for a second one and selling my beautiful registered paint colt to make room!! All this so my beginner rider husband and I can go ride together and I can start driving a TEAM!!

The gelding I have now raced successfully until he was retired at 12-13yr. He took a mark of 1.50.4 and won 1/2 million lifetime (he is now 14) He has taken to saddle readily.

Retired racing Standardbreds starting under saddle are kind of like a youngster when it comes to being balanced with someone on their backs - but they have the mind of the adult horse who has been through it all. (of course this is generalized as all horses are unique) My horse is a pacer who NEVER EVER broke pace in all the years he raced. Once we had him stretching his top line and balanced under saddle; he was able to trot consistently and I was able to start asking for a canter. This took about 2 months from the time of me getting him. ALL standardbreds CAN canter… honest - they are just like any other horse breed in existence... They can even gallop...
In order to pace; (besides a predisposition in breeding) a horse raises their head and hollows their back, because of this, the underside of their neck is overdeveloped and the top line underdeveloped. This makes it hard for them to do normal ‘work’ under saddle if they don’t strengthen their top line.

The first few times I had my boy canter under saddle he galloped as hard as he could, he got worried that I would reprimand him and went immediately into a very FAST pace. I slow him back to a walk and start again - it takes a while but I did notice that he canters a little longer and not so fast each time and now he doesn’t change to a pace much anymore. (just a suggestion but if your horse starts pacing don’t push them to ‘break’ into a canter - these horses are bred and trained to pace/trot – you could easily be going over 30mph (2 min miles) before they break into a frenzied flat out gallop... I find slowing him right down to a nice flat footed walk and starting again is the best way to ensure success.



I do agree with greygirls that working in a straight line has helped us immensely when improving his gaits. Circles have been a challenge and he is very one sided; with the turn on a right rein - he acts like he is between shafts. (I would be VERY appreciative on suggestions on how to have him BEND properly on the right rein!) He too has a huge flowing trot and his canter is amazing - he LOVES hopping over little logs too.... (I think we could be attempting a few jumps this year!)


Re-training a standardbred is rewarding, a lot of fun and not "hard" but practice really DOES make perfect! They are smart and learn pretty quickly. To top it off most are even broke to drive! - the ultimate all round horse!!

[dandeeqh]

I got my first Standardbred this year from haleyg. He raced successfully until this last December. I have been working with him under saddle and he is coming along beautifully. He walks, paces, trots, and canters. I prefer his pace to his trot...his pace is much smoother. I find he has been very quick to learn.

[greygirls]

Originally Posted by kmdudette

he has a huge extended trot and a beautiful collected canter that floats - the STB's are so forward moving and light in the front it makes them perfect for Eventing, Jumping, Dressage, etc and they are not a spooky horse so they make good trail horses too!

I agree 100%! I didn't teach Southie the extended trot, she just does it on her own & man is it pretty! Her canter is like flying...so smooth & she's my main trail horse...no spook to her what-so-ever! I'm even using her to teach my other horse how to be a clam, reliable trail mount.

Originally Posted by TikiGator

No advice for you here, but I must say they make excellent jumpers!!

I was lunging Southie over some one foot jumps last summer & I swear she was trying to jump to the moon! These little one foot jumps that she could have easily trotted over & she'd jump a good 3-4 feet in the air! Silly girl.

Originally Posted by dandeeqh

I prefer his pace to his trot...his pace is much smoother.

I agree with that! The pace is very easy to sit but the trot is soo big, it takes a lot more work on the part of the rider, that's for sure.

[Gee]

[Gee]

Stb's canter just fine. Retraining an exracer to canter takes alot of hard work but it can be done ,even by a beginner.I speak from experience.My stb was my first horse, she has given me everything she's got and more.G