OTTB trained as a cart horse?

He is behaving like a typical OTTB. He has no concept of lunging or circles. Yes a larger circle would help his balance but a racehorse isn't even balance on a racetrack circle they have no concept of bend hence why it was more difficult going to the left then the right (tracks go to the right) Calm, control, patience,consistency, and small sessions will go a long way. Don't rush the canter work on bending him and balancing him on the circle. TB also tend to become a little frustrated when you start asking to much, they give a lot of try but you are changing every bit of training they have had their entire life. Most racehorses have never been lunged even when trained someone walks them around with rider on their back then away they go. They have been taught nothing but run. I have trained different OTTB and it sounds odd but a small controlled circle to teach him what is expected and less room for him to go trotting around like a crazy man will give you more control and show him what he is suppose to do.

The reason that we have him in a smaller circle is because he is constantly pulling the line out so he can get out of the reach of the lunge whip and then turn out like he does in the third video. As it is shes
9thats not me, i'm holding the camera) leaning back so he doesn't yank her around more than he already is.

I personally think he doesn't like the cone in the first and second video, because he did do a little better out in between the barrels (the third video) and he always wants to go over in front of the gate. He has a chiro and a farrier appointment today, so now work, but I'll take another video tomorrow.

huh? what do you mean tracks go to the right? if you are talking about the direction of the racing, they go counter clockwise, therefore all turns are made to the left.

Yes I meant the left and was trying to say they struggle going to the right - I just got ahead of my typing and had to hurry and run after I posted so I didn't get a chance to proof read. Sorry.

thats ok, i was just confused. you dont know how long i sat here thinking i was wrong lol.

Then he clearly needs to be taught how to lunge, not just be chased in a circle.

There is nothing wrong with this horse other then TBs are taught to extend and reach and run straight, and he is being pulled around in a 10m circle and THAT can tighten muscles and CAUSE back and body pain.

Teach him to lunge. For real. THEN work on the canter.

Thanks for everyones input, I figured out that he wasn't cantering because he needs body cues.....in his case, if I stand up in the saddle and lean slightly forward, he transitions perfectly.

That's wonderful that he's not afraid with the lunge whip. That doesn't mean he knows how to lunge correctly--if he did, he wouldn't be pulling the rope out of hands and swinging his back end around. (Hint: He needs more space.)

I've worked on race tracks, with PLENTY of OTTBs, and with numerous jockeys. Of COURSE they have a round pen, but the horse's MAIN JOB is to run, extended, on the track. That's what his muscles are strengthened to do. Running around in a round pen (that is much bigger then your circle) a few times a month is not going to build the same muscle as racing a mile or so on the track at an extended canter or any breeze work.

...Um, yes you are. You said you couldn't get him to canter on the line. That's working on the canter, correct? He can't canter on that circle until he gets a bigger circle to work with. And he can't do THAT until he learns some lunging manners.

I think part of his real problem (or his only real problem, everything else comes from this) is that he went from working every day for nine years to no work at all in 24/7 turnout for a year, and now he's with me, and I'm somewhere in the middle, and he's pretty confused about what he's doing because I'm trying to mix the new with the old.

The cantering however, was not my problem...I was trying to get him to canter so I could teach him the voice cue. I've seen him canter and his stride is a little long, but thats fine with me. He's controllable and he listens, which was my main concern.....the lunging was never a "must have" for him since he has never been hot under saddle and he doesn't have any issues that we would need to work on, like controlling himself, so I can deal with never lunging him ever again.