Race Horse Training

Ok, well now I'm confused. What information are you looking for then. If you are just breaking her to saddle and you have experience with this, is there something specific you want feedback on?

Sorry if im being confusing. Yes, I do have experiance in working with youngsters but none that are this big!!!! She is easily 1000 lbs at 17 months old. Its kindof intimidating. I just wondered if anyone had some tricks to getting her to respect me faster... usually the youngsters I work with are still small enough to knock around or at least they think they are.
She knows she big and since she has only been sperated from mama for 3 days now, she is really uneasy and has no respect for me.

I worked with her yesterday and have come to the conclusion that she needs a rope halter. Im ordering the rope now to make her one. As for space issues, she was crowding the gate so I made her stay back using my buggy whip... I never once hit her with it, just waved it at her and slapped the ground with it when she was closer than 10 ft. This seemed to work but twards the end of the 10 min session doing that, she wasnt too scared of it anymore. This is going to be an issue when I start round penning her. I would like her to not be scared of the whip but to also respect it enough to stay away from me when I use it. She is way to big to be crowding me. Im just tring to be safe and wanted to know if anyone else has worked with a horse of this size and training.

Thanks!!! I hope I wasnt confusing this time...

OK - I don't have experience with really young horses, but my 5 yrold is 17.5 hands and had NO manners when I got her this summer, nor had she ever had a rider. I can now trust her with my 11yr old leading her around and grazing at home and I ride her regularly.

and See how this is a mind thing? Your mind vs. theirs. Be assertive and don't let her get away with anything! Always, always be on her. You are her new mama now and mama certainly wouldn't put up with misbehavior. Use body language all the time and remember leverage points. I'm fairly tall, so it may be easier for me, but I often push her around at her poll. I use nose and chin pressure. I use sharp (semi-loud and fast) noises when she intrudes on me and I use whatever I have in my hand at the time to make myself bigger -- longer arms, taller, wider... whatever the situ needs. I have also taught her to lower her head on command right down to the ground. OK, I'm still working on that being 100%, but she gets the idea and that's a very submissive thing. Body language works for all people sizes, BTW. Even my 11 yr old can intimidate my mare now. It was harder to train the kid than the horse!

As for the horse getting used to the buggy whip -- 10 ft if she is facing you may be too much of a distance to tell her to back off. I wouldn't do it that far away, but maybe other people have other experiences with that. You don't want her to be scared of you either. At any rate, if need be, hit her with the whip, but I only would do that if you feel you are in danger. The whip is a tool not a punishment. It's your arm, only longer. She has to recognize the discipline as coming from YOU not the whip.

Hope this helps. Can't write more because I'm on lunch, but I'll watch for a reply.

Thanks for the advice. Im only 5 ft 7 so she towers over me. I guess I still need to build my confidence up with her. The owner is perfectly fine with me coming out there and have the lesson be just me and her getting to know each other. I really wish he could get the dam out of there. The filly feeds off the mares reactions. If the mare run, the filly runs. Its that simple to her. They are separated but by only a fence. The owner has tried to get them further apart but the mom jumps the fence and the baby likes to breat them down. I guess you could say I have my work cut out for me

Wish me luck, im going to work with her again tomorrow

I would definitely try to work with her away from her mother. That's 'way too distracting. Perhaps someone else could work with the Mother while you work the filly? That would keep the mom under control and keep baby feeling secure. Or maybe the mother could be tied nearby while you work with the filly?

Good luck!

Agreed with NM. Definitely take the dam out of the equation. She has to focus on YOU not what mommy dearest is doing.

As for breaking her. I find that breaking a horse to ride goes better with small tiny steps. We have harness racers so harness are readily available. What we do is put a harness (without the crouper or buxton). It is light but gives them the feeling of "something is there". I find especially with fillies, that they become girth sour very easily. Just take it slow and easy.

Start but put the harness of loose (if it slips it doesnt effect too much since nothing gets in the way) and lead her around. Continue this until she seems fairly comfortable with it.

I wouldnt suggest using a western saddle, it looks like a big monster ;). Use a small english saddle with no stirrups. Begin lunging her so she gets the feel of something larger on her back. This is the part where you also introduce the bit. Use a simple snaffle with a regluar bridle. (I apologize if Im repeating things you already know )

Once this process is complete and you feel she is comfortable with the whole situation its time to put something on her back. Now I suggest having someone assist you at this part as you mentioned you are intimidated by her. If you have someone around you it subconsciously should quiet your nerves a bit lol.

Mount her and lead her around (no steering on the part of the rider let the person on the ground to the steering at first.

All this depends on the reaction of your filly. I've worked with large horses and the worst ones get rammy which can be very irriating and intimidating. Once again I apologize if I've repeated things you already know just trying to be helpful :)

Update us on how your coming along with her!!

O took my mom out with me today. (she use to own thoroughbreds and have had a few off the track ones). She suggested taking mom off the property completely. Every time the mom nickers or moves ever so slightly, baby looses all interest with you and turns to mom. Its kinda scary with a horse this big... im looking for places that will be willing to board the mom for the winter. Then, in the sping, I hope to take the filly out where I board my horses

Is the mother a racehorse or just a broodmare? Im not sure what area you are from but around here there are alot of "retired horse" boarding places. Basically they are turned out with run-in sheds or brought in for the night. Very basic care.

How big is the farm you are currently on? If it large enough keep the mare on the other side of the farm property while your workin on the filly if at all possible...money saving haha.

The mom is a retired race horse. The property isnt very big...the owner of these two horses isnt really horse savvy... I think he bought the mom to make a quick buck with breeding her and racing the babies... my mom is thinking about taking the mom to her house for the winter.

It also doesnt help the these horses are fed straight alfalfa and oats.
I told the owner that he needs to buy some alfalfa grass mix for the winter. The straight alfalfa is too hot and will give this horse way to much energy...

I personally have never had "hotness" problems with straight alfalfa. If anything cut back on the oats . Also more turn out time may help as well. We turn some of our horses out during the night as well, we find this helps keep them less wound up.