| As an animal communicator I am often asked the | | | | had pain in his back, withers, left front foot, right hock, |
| question about whether a recently purchased race | | | | and suffered from a very tight poll area. He also said |
| horse can be retrained to become the next big winner | | | | his mouth/jaw was hurting. |
| in another sport. Of course there is no simple answer | | | | Susie needed a properly fitting saddle that was |
| to that. There are multiple things to consider. Below is | | | | comfortable and balanced for both her and her gelding. |
| an example of a rider who purchased a promising | | | | Until that critical issue was resolved, she should not be |
| gelding off the track and wanted to know what | | | | riding endurance yet, or riding for any distance at all! |
| course of action to take in his retraining. | | | | That's like asking someone to run a marathon in shoes |
| Susie had recently purchased a wonderful seven year | | | | that don't fit and panties that are too tight! Over time, |
| old Arabian gelding called Star (names have been | | | | he simply numbed down to the pain and lost the |
| changed to protect privacy) who was very fit, | | | | energy to put up a fuss. That's not what any caring |
| talented, bred for racing and endurance. She | | | | horse owner ever wants. |
| considered herself a relatively good rider but she was | | | | I recommended that she start by doing simple |
| also new to endurance riding, and was having a lot of | | | | foundational exercises and lunging. They should also |
| trouble with Star. | | | | focus on better groundwork, starting at the beginning |
| How could she re-train her horse for the best possible | | | | and working into more advanced leading games. |
| long term results? She'd tried a number of different | | | | Her gelding needed to learn how to listen to her better, |
| approached but wasn't seeing a lot of success so far. | | | | and she needed to learn to listen to him as well. She |
| Susie was committed to working with and competing | | | | needed to be careful to recognize and reward |
| with her new horse partner. She also wanted to do | | | | calmness and take the time to visualize what she |
| whatever it takes to create a life partner with her | | | | wanted from him. If he got excited (go go mode), that |
| equine friend. She simply wasn't sure how to proceed. | | | | meant he was stressed, nervous and unstable. |
| When they started riding, Star would quickly work | | | | Also, Susie needed to be in better shape. My sense |
| himself up into a race horse mindset, wanting to barrel | | | | was that her balance was off, and there was tension |
| on at top speed. She wasn't comfortable with him and | | | | in her body when she rode. She also tended to hold |
| had discovered that he didn't seem to relax until they'd | | | | her breath which contributed to his nervousness, |
| ridden at least 11 miles together. When I asked why, | | | | over-stimulated 'hot' state of mind, making him unable |
| she said it was because of his continual crow hoping | | | | to relax, focus, conserve his energy and enjoy the ride. |
| and skittishness. | | | | This gelding had a willing, big heart, and a wonderful |
| My answer to Susie was one that I feel many | | | | personality as did Susie. Now was the time to create a |
| horseback riding enthusiasts will appreciate. This is a | | | | solid foundation of respect, trust and open |
| common issue with ex-race horses and is an indication | | | | communication, then they would both enjoy a willing |
| of several things that are not working for Susie or her | | | | and happy partnership for life. |
| gelding. | | | | "My treasure does not glitter in a jeweled box, she |
| Crow hopping for 11 miles is not normal behavior! | | | | gleams in the sun and neighs in the night. |
| When I asked Star what was going on, he told me he | | | | |