Restarting an OTTB - Foundation & Ground Work (EP. 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- #equestrian #equestrianvlog #ottb
Hey guys! This is Episode 1 of a small series covering restarting an Off The Track Thoroughbred (OTTB). In this video I cover the basic first steps I take when I begin working with a new horse, especially a baby horse like Sebastian, for their foundation and ground work. If you enjoy it, please consider subscribing and helping my channel grow. There will be many episodes to this series so make sure you follow along!
I apologize for the bad audio in the round pen portion, audio improvements coming soon!
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He is going to make someone an awesome horse one day! I really like him 😍❤️
I LOVE that you are emphasizing ground work! I have never met another english rider that prioritizes ground manners and I think it is absolutely the most important thing for the horse to know. It is just so useful.
I like how you explained everything about OTTBs that would be important to know when training one. A lot of this info I had no idea about.
I also like how patient you are with them. You aren’t too strict, putting down a bunch of “rules” with them. You just let them figure it out on their own and look to you when they are ready.
Have you ever thought of adding a tangible reward so it charges the meaning of "good boy/good job/yes"? I added positive reinforcement and charged my marker word of "yes" and all of the horses I have worked with have changed drastically. Tangible rewards/ positive reinforcement is amazing. I'm with you on no whips. I dont use whips spurs bits or anything aversive. I really believe the LIMA (least intrusive minimally aversive) approach creates willing horses that truly understand the yes and no of what us humans want from them
I’m sure someone has already requested this, but I’d love to see a video about how you go about the liberty training process!
Anyone else see 6:22 and say “wow mounting block scary!” 🤣🤣🤣
My OTTB was born in 2017 also, in April. He only raced twice and came in dead last twice! 😂 I am so grateful though because otherwise I wouldn’t have him now. I just got him in May of this year, so we are just getting started with his training.
This explains why my OTTB always offers her right foot when I’m trying to pick her left hoof! 😊I had no idea.
Can’t watch this until I’m off work but I had to stop by to drop a like on this video- I have been waiting for this and I can’t wait!
literally the cutest ponyy!! can you please do a week in my life with your horses
Great video! I like the idea of using whistling as a stopping que. Thanks for sharing 👍
I love love loove your channel!
You're so on point and clear.
Continue what you are doing!
An OTTB cuties is in my future! This video was super helpful, coming from training guide dogs for the blind for years. Makes total sense, lots of similarities!
I love this! I'm working with an ex-barrel horse right now, and I use a lot of the same ideas with her as you do with Sebastian.
people dont understand how amazing join up is!! i tried it with a thoroughbred I'm currently working with, he is 17 and pretty sure he has never done it before. he is used to vaulting (very educated on circles) but for the coming in part he eventually caught on!
I am soo in AWE of what an amazing boy he is!!! SUCHHHH A LOVE, intelligent & a pleaser!!!
In Australia, Thoroughbreds get cross tied in their stall at the races. As do Standardbreds. Cross tying isn't common among equestrians here.
Very true haha, everything is reverse over there it's funny 😂😂
Yeah and I’m Australia they do get lunged and in a lot of other countries they also race to the left and right and when getting ready to race some might have a person on each side
*in
I always learn so much from your videos!
I honestly think this is your best video yet. Can’t wait to see you get more traction on this platform!
i just discovered your channel and i think you're the person i want to 'follow' in my horse journey! i have a 2 year old stallion (he hasn't done any work in his life really) who's really pushy and not that easy to be around with. he doesn't know what personal space means and even though he goes on a paddock regularly, he has a lot of steam to let go of before we can even think about any work. i'm thinking about changing his feed to a less energetic one and getting him some massages (he has a lot of problems lunging to the left and i feel him really stiffening up when he eventually does). thanks to you i have a lot more ideas for him and i realised we still have a long journey ahead of us, i hope i can watch your videos throughout it ❤
Such a nice boy! Love this video
This was wonderful! My ottb came off as an 8 year old and luckily he had a lot of ground work he lunges...terribly but he does it. His ground manners are HORRIBLE but we're working on it. I LOVE seeing other people appreciate the breed and just kind of blow off the track but understand there's going to be some holes in their training
Stephanie Palmer Thanks Stephanie! Keep at it! At least he’s 8!
@@ZLEquestrian will you get anymore horses or a horse for you to own personally?
We don't have that big of a race horse world here where I live, so getting an ottb of the track is hard to say the least, unless you know people. But I would really like to get one, because they tend to be really great jumpers and a lot of people use them for eventing as well. But we can't just go search up one a d buy it. I probably have to call the race horse barns directly and ask, and chances are they wint be cheap either. It sucks because I see people from Australia, the UK and the US just buying off the track and I am so jealous of that. 🤣🤣
Stephanie Palmer how many horses do you own?
Magic Books they are so cheap off the track. You can EASILY get one $250-$500 direct from the track.
Excited for this series. I got a OTTB about three year ago, let him have down time and then went through ALOT of ground work and games(parelli games) and he was amazing. But due to work depression and a mix of stuff i never actually rode him. He still remembers all his cues ive taught him and all his manners which is lovely. Just gotta start refreshing him before I'm comfortable getting on him again. 🖤 so excited to finish watching your videos
I loved this, so fun to watch
This was super helpful. Thank you! Would love to see more!
Been waiting for your next video !! I love this
Beautiful horse! Good tips too!
Thank you for sharing.🐴
Great video! He looks like such a sweet horse!
When is episode two coming out?!
Love the boots, I've got the same ones!
amazing!
I’m so glad you posted this! I plan on getting an OTTB straight off the track and I’ll definitely revisit this series to get an idea as to where I should start :)
Elizabeth Eventing OTTBs are for sure the best! Best event horses
A process to retrain but so rewarding
JEDS Equine they’re typically my favorite rides in the barn! i’ve just never gotten one straight off the track so it’ll be an experience for sure😅
Elizabeth Eventing soho yess 💪🏼
Rope halter can make a world of difference! My ottbs respect the hope halter, a nylon halter their way to pushy and heavy on it.
Love that horse!
SUUUUUUPER helpful Zoey. Thanks for taking the time to make this! Looking to purchase my first OTTB soon (:
He’s so good!
Wow, this is how a trained, thank you.
I love making my own cross ties by attaching them to the wall with bailing twine so that it snaps if it needs to :)
Elanna R Yes, bailing twine works great for this purpose. We had a young horse break bailing twine on a cross-tie just last week, and it is so easy for them to break that it doesn’t scare them. It’s also incredibly easy to repair. Just one caveat. Sometimes hay is bailed using a plastic twine, and it doesn’t break as well as the old-fashioned burlap-type of bailing twine.
Sweet Boy!
If i get a race horse off the track I'm totally using your teckneck.
I really like that!
Goshh Zoey You Get the chance with some lovely horses Ex Race or not look At This Guy >> love it your a Very DEDICATED Young Lady!!! ""REspect""" hugs tc uk xxxx
Ready for Episode 2!!
i love him!!!!!!!!
10k subs!🎉🎉🎉
Really great video!
Équi-poney Thank you!
I love OTTB's
We need episode 2! 😉
he's so cute! Wish I could take him home
Really interesting video - thanks
I just did a clinic at Monty Roberts' farm and now I want to work with horses even more than before
Do you have more OTTB groundwork videos? I couldn’t find part 2 and I am making this journey with my new horse now 🥰
Nice vlog
Beautiful boy 😍
Is there a part 2 or do you have other videos regarding restarting the OTTB? I just got my first one (5yrs old) and he’s a little nervous. Previous owner said he hasn’t learned to trust, and he hasn’t been turned out much, so I’m a little nervous about turning him out in fear I’ll never catch him. lol.. Needless to say I have NOT turned him out yet.. usually I’d get them accustomed to the sound of the grain bucket and they come running but not sure what to expect from this guy.
I noticed you didn't talk about "let down time". Is this something you also do?
Lillian Wilcox its harder in an enviroment when turnout is not always available. She did say at the end he gets as much turnout as possible but its not like he is turned out for 4-6 weeks as that is not realistic in her situation. :)
Absolutely! He is not quote that new, I’m just late on documenting the process with him. Sebastian in particular has been on let down with me for about six weeks and some with his previous family. He has not even had a saddle on his back yet and his “turnouts” consist of essentially what’s in this video, supervised and structured.
Hi! Love your videos, Where can I find your videos about training new OTTBs to jump with good form. My OTTB has been in retraining for about five weeks and we are doing small xrails, small panels, and verticals (nothing over 2'3) with some very basic "gymnastics" like polls before and after. He can be a bit lazy/uncoordinated at times and other time he snaps his knees and jumps well. I want to improve his scope and forward to the jump. Do you have any videos of exercises that can help with form forward, form, and coordination over the jumps? Thank you!
As an animal trainer, I'm not a fan of terms like 'Alpha", "Dominant", etc. but I enjoy your videos. Nice job!
i think it is very important that, no matter with which animal you work, you have to be the alpha. that does not mean to be aggressive or abuse them. showing your dominance is about body language and energy
@@kiara6262 Alpha is the wrong choice of words. Leadership, guidance, direction, and ability to make correct choices would be more appropriate. You are not fighting battles for the group nor establishing the right to breed with members of the group. And "Alpha theory" has been debunked in the training and behavior and Science community as well. I have worked with and trained (for over 25 years) many species from dogs, cats and horse, to monkeys, apes, big cats and bats and never have I had to establish myself as Alpha.
Thanks for watching!
@@equestrianna13 Alpha is not the wrong word. people use the word in a wrong way. every group of wild horses have their alpha and being a alpha does not mean to fight or something like that. it means to lead and to make the choices.
@@kiara6262 You are incorrect about the social structure of horses as well. Horses work at bilateral relationships (each horse has an individual relationship with each other horse), and is unlikely they have a concept of a rank order that includes all members of the group. Alpha and dominance are man-made concepts that shouldn't form the human-horse relationship/interactions. And since a person is not a horse and a horse does not see them as another horse, there is no need to be what you consider Alpha. Within (domestic) groups horses may compete for resourses but are not actually dominating. In reality they avoid conflict as much as possible. Hope this helps.
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I suppose like most race horses his world is flat. How do you safely get him acclimatised to step terrains and or paddocks?
Do you have Ep 2 yet?
Is there an episode two?
do u have any tips on a 16 yr old pony with one eye not broke and barley touched. we have a round pen and no saddle he does wear a halter all the time and we just will use clip on reins. he worked with him alittle and hes sweet just not very touched. do u have any ideas on how to train him.
what page can I see your horses for sale ?
Hi there, I have a question, I'm 5"10 how many hands should my horse be as a good fit and i'm 195lbs., ??
My ottb mare does not know how to lunge. No matter what I do she doesn't understand. I've worked a whole lot on turning her haunches off my body and she getting alittle better at that. Any advice?
Can you do a video martingale’s and draw reins?
I leave the stable door open for my pony and teach that just because the doors open doesnt mean your allowed to leave. I start with just having the headcollar on and stopping them from going out but when I train without one I have a whip to use as a kind of shield Inc it's with a bardgy horse I DO NOT HIT THE HORSE WITH IT I JUST USE IT AS A DISTRACTION. Then I gradually work with put food outside the stable to teach them that if it's not theirs they can't have it.
That's a really good idea! I love that!!
@@spiderman933 thank you!! I really teach my horses to respectful from the get go! Especially manners without a headcollar on
Could I use these training methods for an untrained mini mule?
GloryHorse15 miles are definitely different critters in the way they think and process things.
I’m not sure! There are likely some similarities in terms of basic things like gaining their respect but, they are very hard headed from what I’ve heard. Also very smart!
@@ZLEquestrian Ok thanks!!! Love your videos, I already learned so much from you!
How do you correct a 3 yr old that paws and threatens to rear when you ask or try to correct something?
Just wondering, why do they only race to the left?
Also, does this affect the way they are when you ride, such as not wanting to travel on the right rein?
Qiu ye Kachemov It does affect how they go in both directions.
it's a common misconception that race horses only go one way. as with most of their training, many people don't know what they're talking about and spread bs online. these horses are worked both ways, doing different things going each way. usually, they lope (canter) to the left a lap or two and then will jog (trot) a wider lap going to the right as the cool down. As well, most racehorses are very familiar with arenas and roundpens as they, obviously, don't start on the track. That would be ridiculous. They're backed (started under saddle) just like most horses, in a round pen and then moved to an arena. To say they don't lunge or understand leg pressure is a dangerous lie, tbh.
i was wondering.. i have been looking everywhere for OTTB’s. where do you find them? i’ve looked everywhere in southern california. there’s just not a lot available that i can find, and i feel like i’m missing something considering all the tracks down here.
lexi randolph I get mine from different track connects and trainers I know!
lexi randolph If you do not have contacts at a race track, I would suggest going to a thoroughbred rescue.
New vocations, canter, changing saddles, second stride… all places who rehome OTTBs. Some may be out of state but sometimes it’s worth it.
Where's episode 2?
Thought this was only part one? No part 2? 3?
Unfortunately this horse left so I wasn't able to continue the series, but I will be continuing it once able to!
It took 45 minutes for my TB to do it for the first time
whats his name and can i buy him??
Hello
First of all I want to say I discovered your channel recently and I feel in love immediately 😍❤️ and I have a question : do you think getting a 4 year old is okey for your first horse?🤔
I am not zoe, but i also have alot of experience with young horses and also ottbs. I would not reccomend someones first horse to be a 4 yr old even if theyve been started already. Unless you already have alot of experience and time to commit to them. The only exceptions to inexperienced riders getting green horses would be if you have access to a great trainer that would be hands on to teach both of you. Even then its very important to take in the horses temperment and personality and also your personality and willingness to learn and listen to your horse and trainer.
Panic!AtBeebo I think with guidance and a trainer a 4yo can be okay, given it has the correct temperament and (again) you have a trainer working with both you and it!
I am from Germany, how you keep the rattle snakes from the horses? Tx in advance for an answer.
Löni A. I’ve only ever seen one rattlesnake in a horse stall, I tend not to worry about it and therefore don’t have a perfect answer for how to keep them out. Rattlesnakes are not aggressive by nature, they don’t seek trouble, they are reactive. They are not looking for a fight with a horse, they usually just stay away.
@@ZLEquestrian so nice. As we don't have some in Europe i always asked myself how people in the USA handle it.
@@lonia.5283 I'm way more scared of the coyote they have 😐😐 how do you manage that? Some states also have bears..... I'm from Denmark, so we don't have any scary animals so I never had to think about it. 🤣🤣
Magic Books coyotes won’t mess with a horse either. Coyotes are small, and are smart enough to hunt animals smaller than them. Cougars are a concern however.. though most don’t enter urban areas. If you live in a remote place that has cougars, then maybe it would be an issue. Although there are reports of horses fighting off a cougar and even killing it. Horses are pretty terrifying animals themselves!
@@lou-annewegrzyniak5662 that's good to know. Because we have a few wolves and they have for sure killed horses here. But I guess its just getting a better fence 😂😂😂
6:02 that music got loud 😬😂
He is 2 and has done 3 races. That is so sad. 2 is so young.
How tall is he & do u expect he'll get any taller?
April Rx he’s just under 16.0h, and is expected to grow another inch or 2!
@@ZLEquestrian hes absolutely stunning & what a mover...already
You can never have to many horses. 😉