Rocket the racehorse had a good day, dog/cat content as well

Rocket the racehorse had a good day, dog/cat content as well

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summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Sunday 30th December 2012
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After three months of ownership, and Rocket being at his fifth yard in under a year we had a breakthrough today!

Out hacking not once did he try and run off today - very pleased - it's not easy being a racehorse and then asked to be "normal".

He hates loud noises, doesn't look at our lab but is unsure about the ginger cat who sits on top of the gate post when he is brought in each evening.

Very cute though and on the ground an absolute pussy to handle, on his back a different story, it will be a long road. Hope to be competing in the summer though, expect some low dressage scores and funny jump rounds to start with.

Spiffing

1,855 posts

209 months

Sunday 30th December 2012
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oongratulations, photos please smile

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Wednesday 30th January 2013
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Finally some photos












The grey is my wife's Connemara, in the snow the Connie was asking to come in before my TB, he's toughening up.

We now have had 3 rides where he hasn't tried to run off with me, slowly but surely we're getting there.


Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Thursday 31st January 2013
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So an Ex-Racehorse that you are re-homing? Looks lovely.

Emmapuma

513 posts

198 months

Thursday 31st January 2013
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He looks lovely! Good work on the progress, I have an ex racer and he is as equally as challenging although at 13 years old he has never really got out of it, he is not a bolter but is extremely sensitive and spooky!

Le TVR

3,092 posts

250 months

Thursday 31st January 2013
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Well done on taking on a TB ex-racehorse!
Spent years working with one in the past and it was possibly the ultimate test of patience.
I finally knew he had got there when out hacking one day with a big group we went through a farm and a very large corrugated iron barn door slammed shut in the wind.
I suddenly found myself alone and no other horse in sight, they had all spooked or bolted.
He was 24....

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Thursday 31st January 2013
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Yes he now has a home for life, hopefully I will be 70 odd when he pops his cloggs so he will be my last horse.

Very spooky/sensitive to any noise/movement but can move so well he should be a superstar on the flat for dressage.

He ran 8 times 4 on the flat 4 over hurdles so not sure yet how the showjumping will be if he has been trained to hurdle, alot of ground work needed first. I am hoping that he will make a really good cross country horse.

His Weatherby's posh name is Smiles Better, his highest placing racing was 5th out of 12.

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Sunday 9th March 2014
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Not such a good day yesterday. Training going well, walk and trot really established now.

We canter out hacking but have not managed that in the school (he doesn't know the word canter the three paces he had when I got him were walk, jog and gallop).

Tried to introduce canter in the school, first time of asking he doesn't know what I'm asking for so panics broncs and pisses off (bear in mind he can do 0 to 40mph in about 3 seconds). Stay on and bring him to a halt in the corner of the school so I think I'll leave that for a while and canter more first out hacking.

Re-establish the trot, go to ride a 20m circle at B put the inside leg on and BANG he thinks I'm asking for canter again panics and I'm on the deck. Sat here with sore back and headache from concussion 24 hours later. This is the second time I've been dumped on the floor in the school in 10 months. Going to buy a back protector as I think I will be on the floor a few more times yet before he is turned into a normal horse.

Thanks for sharing my pain

Summit7

Le TVR

3,092 posts

250 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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Sounds an all too familiar story frown
Canter was always the biggest problem plus having a hair trigger. Back protector with shoulder pads and don't give up.

Granville

983 posts

170 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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Will he canter on the lunge in the school? Have you tried loose schooling in the school (some horses like to bugger off and jump out if you're outside so be warned).

You could try and find somewhere that has an indoor school or lunge ring and try some loose schooling. He can get himself sorted out without you getting dumped or him panicking.

Well done though, they can make really lovely horses with a little time and re-schooling, though a lot does depend on what sort of life they've lived as a racehorse.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

247 months

Monday 10th March 2014
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I've got an old (barely worn, though) D-Tech back protector you can have if you want it.

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Tuesday 11th March 2014
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Thank-you for the offer, I have ordered a new Equi Theme protector, fed up of being sore after hitting the deck. Last year when he dumped me I broke 3 ribs and separated my shoulder. Nowhere near as bad this time but I know it is the sensible thing to do to have a protector. Missed last summer competing through those injuries to me (it happened in May)

Yes he does lunge, again walk and trot good, work him in an outline with side reins, ask for canter and he tries to run off whilst bucking and rearing (amazingly it appears he manages to do this at the same time).

I bought a trailer a few weeks ago and will start with some walk/trot tests. I really wanted to do some prelims at the same time but that will have to wait.

I have a lesson on Wednesday so am trying hard to get my shoulder moving and strong enough in time for that. I won't sit on him unless I am on the top of my game.

I am a BHSAI and passed my exams over 25 years ago, have competed all disciplines, ridden grade A jumpers etc and have never had a challenge like this.

Summit7

Granville

983 posts

170 months

Tuesday 11th March 2014
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I'd have a go at loose schooling, no side reins and he can sort himself out getting in to canter and help his confidence. Lots of horses love loose schooling anyway. Does he have a sensitive mouth?

Sounds like you're doing a good job already with him. Many racehorses have never had the sensation of a riders legs on their sides, or ever been hacked out, they're just used to following the rump in front from the stable to the gallops and back again.

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Monday 5th May 2014
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Fantastic weekend in the sunshine.

Have ridden 4 days in a row (very rare with work), yesterday had his best hack ever. Foot perfect on the road with traffic, with bunches of cyclists enjoying the bank holiday sunshine going past (as they should). Calm calm calm on the tracks. He relaxes on the tracks far more than on the road. I have been going over and over canter transitions when hacking so every canter we canter/trot each 15 metre's or so rather cantering a whole track. This means he has done dozens of canter transitions in the last month knowing what I want without panicking/trying to run off.

Turned him out this morning (no rug) in the sunshine to warm up his muscles on his chestnut coat whilst I mucked out, brought him in 10.30am warm and relaxed took him into the school, did lots of halts walk then walk trots back to walk, waited till he was really settled asked for canter on a straight line and YES - no panic just into canter no stress, let him settle down the long side and trotted before the corner. He was balanced and relaxed enough to canter the short side but I didn't want to go there.

18 months, twice dumped on the floor and now I know I have his trust, massive day.

Cushty,

Summit7

Granville

983 posts

170 months

Tuesday 6th May 2014
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clap fantastic news

condor

8,837 posts

247 months

Tuesday 6th May 2014
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Great news smile

Le TVR

3,092 posts

250 months

Tuesday 6th May 2014
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Well done! Both of you, that is beer

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Tuesday 6th May 2014
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Awwww love

Mobile Chicane

20,737 posts

211 months

Wednesday 7th May 2014
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It's lovely to see an animal which might have otherwise been consigned to the 'too difficult pile' - and all that entails - being given a second bite at life.

Well done you, OP.

summit7

Original Poster:

647 posts

228 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
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And now competing in dressage!!!

See :-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

He whinnies at me whenever he hears my voice/sees me, follows me like a lamb with his head in the small of my back but has got it into his head that it is alright to nibble at my arm/shoulder to show his affection!

Summit7