when you take a t-bred off the track you have to remember that sometimes you have to teach them how to be a "horse" again. They have had very structured lives, a lot of folks take them and put them out in a pasture and they will go through a depression.. they are used to their every need being taken care of.. some have never been in the rain..some have never been allowed to "fur up" for the winter, I have even had to show some how to graze with their halters on..They are used to the day to day life on the track, and being around people almost all day every day. They are extremely intelligent and are wonderful horses with tons of heart.. I know, I know they get bad raps.. mostly for being hot headed and hyper..But if you just take it slow you will have an awesome horse ! and ground work ground work ground work ! Good Luck and have a ball !!! Teri

thank you kindred for the reminder of how important knowing it on the ground first is. something that works really well on getting them rethinking that urge to GO is to teach a small back up cue (that can be repeated from the saddle) and always follow the whoa with asking for a few steps back. unfortunately, those gorgeous running horses do not get to "learn the WHOA before the GO". best of luck to you. have a blessed day.

Treat them like a green horse that doesn't know anything and start with all the basics. Ground work, following a feel on the line, and under saddle. The reins need to connect to the feet and right now, the OTTB has a different understanding of that. You have to reprogram their understanding. Be patient, take your time. T-breds are smart and sensitive, you can retrain them. If you don't have it on the ground, you won't have it under saddle so start there. Proud owner of two OTTB's! Kathy

Just looking for some tips on working with an OTTB from other folks who have gone through it. Any advice on working on a somewhat weak "whoa" also responding to leg. Thanks :-)