So nice to see a real-life example of what many of us on our not-perfect barely-trained horses deal with every day! Perfection is lovely to watch too, but this is very useful!
Great video. You say ride shoulder in befor canter aid and also after transistion till trott... Can you give specific instructions how you use your aids for shoulder in when on a circle. Thx /Marie
I have a special fondness for these horses. We had an OTTB come to the barn that was so troubled. Leading him was a dangerous occupation. The first time I went to catch him up it took 45 minutes. Once I was able to touch him and scratch him, he would come look for me. The woman who own him was pretty sticky and could stay with him and never seemed afraid of him but she and her husband lost everything in 2008. She could not pay broad anymore. We didn't see things going well for him so we just kept him. Prior to their misfortunes she had put him in a horsemanship clinic taught by Peter Campbell. Peter ended up riding him and during his ride Peter had said this is the horse to ride if you really want to learn. That struck a cord with me. After the broader could not care for him anymore I became his soul handler. I started riding him in clinics. It seemed like breathing was doing to much with him. In order to help him, I had to change. I believe Peter was right. These horses can teach people so much about how much and when. I'll be forever grateful for my time with you Montana and to Peter for what I learned from you. Thank you Amelia for featuring an OTTB. They are wonderful horses and not enough of them get a second chance.
I hope you will do more videos with real-life examples, Amelia. It was very helpful to watch you teach a lesson because you were giving instruction and correction to your assistant, not just for the transition itself, but for the setting up of the horse before, during and after the transition. Thanks.
My OTTB is just like Luke. So helpful to realise that his struggles with right lead canter and his over sensitivity relate to his (mis)training in racing. I’m going to try the slow trot and “just think canter” today plus shoulder fore out of canter. Also when they startle and run the way Luke did not to always shut that down but to go with it and channel the energy - easier said than done but a useful aim…. Caine did a great job. Please thank her for us for being willing to share her lesson. So helpful Amelia!
Great video.. would love to see more of working with an OTTB.. I have an ottb and retraining him to dressage. I find your videos super helpful and learn a lot from them..but would love to see more of how to get a horse that is not already a dressage horse on how to get there...xxx
Thanks Dominique! I'm going to be featuring a lot more of my clients! Have you seen this week's video!? It's a new partnership OTTb who've never cantered together yet! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Thanks to Caine for sharing. It would be so helpful to see more riders and horses working at this level on all the things you talk about with position, aids, lateral work ect. The lessons of your mother are very helpful too. More please!!!👍👍
I really appreciate these types of videos where you apply your concept to "real life" scenarios (meaning, where most of us are with our horses) :D My 3 yr old is quite sensitive and reactive like Luke, and my automatic instinct when I ride a horse that scoots forward is to hold back and shut that behavior down.. the concept of regulating that forward movement and channeling it into controlled energy makes sense to me (it'll be a good test for my horsemanship the next time this happens!)
Boy does this bring back memories! Most of my riding abilities of today come from what I learnt on my ex-TB racehorse (now past on since 3 year's ago at the age of 26!). I remember having to start from scratch with the tender age of 11 (the horse's age, not mine!) I still today am grateful to my late beautiful horse for his time, sensitivity, patience & friendship which he gave me. I was most definitely the pupil in this relationship! I miss him SO much. Thank you to all parties involved in sharing this recording/lesson.
One of my favorite videos! This is so helpful Amelia and a pleasure to see you teach. I love seeing your instruction when it is not the GP horse. Kane has great seat and Luke is a beauty!
This is the first video I’ve seen that actually makes me feel better about my 4 yr old OTTB. We are dealing with the exact same issue. It is great to know there’s no way through but to continue to teach them to think about footwork rather than explode. It’s even better to know that this is a normal and common issue for OTTB’s, to learn to step and not leap into canter. In my weak moments I just want to half seat/two point like I did when teaching him his leads. But now at 4, I know I have to teach him to work through this while I sit deep and maintain connection.
Hi Alecia 👋. I am so glad you did this video. Caine OTTB reminds me of Glory. I don't feel so bad with having difficulty cantering him. I have a special for OTTB's in my heart. My goal is to give every OTTB I own or instruct the best training foundation. I feel for this breed and how they aren't even 2 and they are being galloped on the track, horrible training methods just for the sake of running. I am also working on Millie's canter transitions and it is a very slow process. She actually can canter better to the Right than the left lead, but kicks out at my right leg at any pressure. I make a conscious effort to mount from the left and dismount from the right. I also work diligently with rewards and the Mounting block from both directions and getting her to be flexible. Her canter to the left falls in and she has trouble picking it up in the front but can get the left hind correctly. I consistently work on her just being calm and relaxed 😌. Thank you and I would love more OTTB videos.
Great video Amelia! Thanks so much to Cain and Luke - he’s pretty zippy isn’t he! My OTTB doesn’t shoot forward in the canter transition like Luke does but he definitely struggles with balance and picking up the correct lead… and contact…and startling at things lol. Cain had a great seat and a great attitude to Luke’s oops moments! And I thought the stretchy trot at the end really looked lovely ☺️
Loved seeing the real world example!! I ride an ex-cow horse who is trained really well in dressage at trot (piaffe, passage etc.) but POOF! turns back into a cow horse and gallops off when I ask for canter. 😂 It’s 0-100 and he can turn sharply too so it’s hard for me to stay cool… Two things have worked well for me. One is doing shoulder in out of the corner several times so he’s expecting it, but then turning it into a 10 meter canter circle. The other is just doing half halt with seat in a larger circle and envisioning collection / breathing deep until he comes to. Kind of a left brain & right brain approach depending on the day. I definitely had that same impulse to pull him into a stop though!
Great video. I have a 2014 OTTB that retired September 2020. He is very quiet so we don't have any blast off/hot issues. If anything, we could use a little more energy. I do struggle with the right canter though. Sounds like this is common with OTTBs and not something I'm necessarily doing or not doing. I will try shoulder-in before and after and see if that helps preparing him more and keeping him balanced and stepping through on the right hind. Happy Holidays!
Gosh this is perfect for me, I ride a retired thoroughbred and even though he’s more “difficult” to ride, I just love him! He’s so forward and does that spook thing as soon as I ask for canter. I almost can’t canter him in the inside ring Bc he’s so in his left turns and I lose my inside stirrup. I can’t stay balanced. Anyways, would love more of this!!!
Hi Amelia! Thank you for this video/lesson. I think your student, her horse and you did a wonderful job of putting this together.(This was an exciting lesson!) I noticed as a student she mostly listened instead of interacting in dialogue. This tells me that she understands what you are trying to teach her in theory, but needs "eyes on the ground" for reassurance, correction and guidance in implementing the idea/cueing and knowing how/when to support her horse through the learning. My question is: When you tell her what to do (while teaching), would it be possible to explain (to the listener/audience) how and why you are telling her to do something? I always find this helpful in learning. My hope one day soon is to take lessons from you. Let me know when you are willing to take on a middle aged woman and her haflinger. :) You are the best teacher! Happy holidays!
Funny how TBs struggle with right canter. My boy has always found it difficult, whereas the left lead is easy. He is crooked and loves to throw his left shoulder out, to avoid using the right hind underneath him.
Need more OTTB videos! I’ve got a just-turned 6 yo gelding I’m working with and I’ve noticed it’s a growing trend nowdays to buy an off track horse, even the Standardbreds.. so if there’s more tips you have for re-programming common training gaps/differences please share! Love your videos!!! 🖤🖤🖤
This was very helpful. My OTTB explodes in right lead canter. Can someone explain the reason for this? Is it because they’re trained to race left? Thank you!
This video was very helpful! I just started riding my daughter's off the track thoroughbred and she has many of the same issues. She is going to help me build my confidence because she needs me to be a leader; she's not confident and spooks and peeks, which makes me nervous:(
I have a hard time my TB on the left transition, right side is perfect. She blows out as we reach from center circle nearly every time and have to push through with my whip with a light tap to get through the corner. We have a hard time with picking up speed and I have to circle her around in warm up to burn off energy before we work.
I’m so glad I found this video. I’m working through the same issue with my OTTB. Mine likes to anticipate the transition and lunges forward even when I’m not cueing him to canter. He likes to figure out which game we are playing. Any videos on horses that try to anticipate a transition?
I know what you mean, they kind of get tense and anticipating. I don't think I have one exactly on that. But you have to go and focus on rhythm and relaxation. So you're able to half-halt and keep a clear trot rhythm. This is a good one on Rhythm: ua-cam.com/video/ysRa4kkXk-I/v-deo.html and one on half-halts: ua-cam.com/video/9M03W7LV41Y/v-deo.html
Just recently got my first OTTB, i've been having lots of trouble picking up the right lead and can usually only pick it up once in a ride, twice if I'm lucky. He can do perfect lead changes from the left lead to the right though. He also has a hard time collecting in the trot when we are going to the right. I'm starting to work on it with my trainer but it's gonna take a while, I always have to remind myself to not get frustrated 💀
Work on longitudinal suppleness! Leg yields and should fore will be very helpful. Before right lead canter, leg yield away from right leg to engage the right hind. Good luck with your OTTB! They're such athletes!
Hey Beverly! OTTBs are fantastic athletes! The only hurdle they face is retraining successfully! I believe that OTTBs are incredible and versatile horses and can really turn their hoof to any equestrian sport! The only reason Dressage-bred horses might find things easier would be quite literally the breeding that lends them to excellence in the sport, coming from dressage specialist yards and having a dressage focused start in their training, and in some cases, the natural occurrence of the musculature that makes engagement and self carriage easier.
My OTTB has the exact moves with flying out of control suddenly. I froze the video to see the horse and riders reaction, and now don't feel so bad about myself or my horse. It's obviously a OTTB thing
So my horse is very explosive into the canter and he is also an OTTB. We've had him almost a year but when we bought him he had a lot of problems so I've only been able to ride him for 4-5 months. He's never really had any proper training or at least i don't think he has. I can get control of the explosive canter after he canters a few strides but my main problem is he won't pick up his left lead. When he does pick it up and will just do a lead change or break to trot. what is the best way to fix this?
Haha, they're such athletes but you'll get there in time with him Jyll! Thanks for watching and don' forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content!
Also, if you want help getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, come to my FREE webinar on Rider Position and Biomechanics on June 5th. bit.ly/3sJTa5R
Don't forget to sign up for the goal setting webinar on January 1st: www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/goalwebinar/
So nice to see a real-life example of what many of us on our not-perfect barely-trained horses deal with every day! Perfection is lovely to watch too, but this is very useful!
Great video. You say ride shoulder in befor canter aid and also after transistion till trott... Can you give specific instructions how you use your aids for shoulder in when on a circle. Thx /Marie
love the example of a horse in training, thank you so much
I have a special fondness for these horses. We had an OTTB come to the barn that was so troubled. Leading him was a dangerous occupation. The first time I went to catch him up it took 45 minutes. Once I was able to touch him and scratch him, he would come look for me. The woman who own him was pretty sticky and could stay with him and never seemed afraid of him but she and her husband lost everything in 2008. She could not pay broad anymore. We didn't see things going well for him so we just kept him. Prior to their misfortunes she had put him in a horsemanship clinic taught by Peter Campbell. Peter ended up riding him and during his ride Peter had said this is the horse to ride if you really want to learn. That struck a cord with me. After the broader could not care for him anymore I became his soul handler. I started riding him in clinics. It seemed like breathing was doing to much with him. In order to help him, I had to change. I believe Peter was right. These horses can teach people so much about how much and when. I'll be forever grateful for my time with you Montana and to Peter for what I learned from you. Thank you Amelia for featuring an OTTB. They are wonderful horses and not enough of them get a second chance.
Loved reading this! My first horse is a 12yr OTTB and he is teaching me a lot.
I hope you will do more videos with real-life examples, Amelia. It was very helpful to watch you teach a lesson because you were giving instruction and correction to your assistant, not just for the transition itself, but for the setting up of the horse before, during and after the transition. Thanks.
My OTTB is just like Luke. So helpful to realise that his struggles with right lead canter and his over sensitivity relate to his (mis)training in racing. I’m going to try the slow trot and “just think canter” today plus shoulder fore out of canter. Also when they startle and run the way Luke did not to always shut that down but to go with it and channel the energy - easier said than done but a useful aim…. Caine did a great job. Please thank her for us for being willing to share her lesson. So helpful Amelia!
What a lovely lesson! The stretchy trot was so beautiful, to see him open up so much more and step under with his hind legs.
Great video.. would love to see more of working with an OTTB.. I have an ottb and retraining him to dressage. I find your videos super helpful and learn a lot from them..but would love to see more of how to get a horse that is not already a dressage horse on how to get there...xxx
Thanks Dominique! I'm going to be featuring a lot more of my clients! Have you seen this week's video!? It's a new partnership OTTb who've never cantered together yet!
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Thanks to Caine for sharing. It would be so helpful to see more riders and horses working at this level on all the things you talk about with position, aids, lateral work ect. The lessons of your mother are very helpful too. More please!!!👍👍
I really appreciate these types of videos where you apply your concept to "real life" scenarios (meaning, where most of us are with our horses) :D My 3 yr old is quite sensitive and reactive like Luke, and my automatic instinct when I ride a horse that scoots forward is to hold back and shut that behavior down.. the concept of regulating that forward movement and channeling it into controlled energy makes sense to me (it'll be a good test for my horsemanship the next time this happens!)
Nice rider and excellent calming instructions.
Great video! I'd be really interested in seeing a session teaching a recent ottb to pick up the right lead canter as well :)
Thank you so much for posting this video. It is just what I needed because riding a spooky OTTB is sometimes disheartening!!
Boy does this bring back memories! Most of my riding abilities of today come from what I learnt on my ex-TB racehorse (now past on since 3 year's ago at the age of 26!).
I remember having to start from scratch with the tender age of 11 (the horse's age, not mine!) I still today am grateful to my late beautiful horse for his time, sensitivity, patience & friendship which he gave me. I was most definitely the pupil in this relationship! I miss him SO much. Thank you to all parties involved in sharing this recording/lesson.
OMG, feeling like we’re not alone here! Love the VDO ❤️🐴
One of my favorite videos! This is so helpful Amelia and a pleasure to see you teach. I love seeing your instruction when it is not the GP horse. Kane has great seat and Luke is a beauty!
Gorgeous horse and great video! I loved seeing a student put the concepts together live. Please do more of these!
This is the first video I’ve seen that actually makes me feel better about my 4 yr old OTTB. We are dealing with the exact same issue. It is great to know there’s no way through but to continue to teach them to think about footwork rather than explode. It’s even better to know that this is a normal and common issue for OTTB’s, to learn to step and not leap into canter. In my weak moments I just want to half seat/two point like I did when teaching him his leads. But now at 4, I know I have to teach him to work through this while I sit deep and maintain connection.
OMGOSH THANK YOU! I ride an OTTB ! So hard to ride ! This video was AWESOME! Very helpful!! REAL LIFE
Thank you. Very helpful. I have an OTTB and these are our problem areas.
Hi Alecia 👋. I am so glad you did this video. Caine OTTB reminds me of Glory. I don't feel so bad with having difficulty cantering him. I have a special for OTTB's in my heart. My goal is to give every OTTB I own or instruct the best training foundation. I feel for this breed and how they aren't even 2 and they are being galloped on the track, horrible training methods just for the sake of running.
I am also working on Millie's canter transitions and it is a very slow process. She actually can canter better to the Right than the left lead, but kicks out at my right leg at any pressure. I make a conscious effort to mount from the left and dismount from the right. I also work diligently with rewards and the Mounting block from both directions and getting her to be flexible. Her canter to the left falls in and she has trouble picking it up in the front but can get the left hind correctly. I consistently work on her just being calm and relaxed 😌. Thank you and I would love more OTTB videos.
Well done! They can be the best in some of the trickiest horses to ride!
Congrats to your student she’s great!
this is one of my fave videos you've done. and caine has a lovely seat!
What a lovely seat. Beautiful job!
Great video Amelia! Thanks so much to Cain and Luke - he’s pretty zippy isn’t he! My OTTB doesn’t shoot forward in the canter transition like Luke does but he definitely struggles with balance and picking up the correct lead… and contact…and startling at things lol. Cain had a great seat and a great attitude to Luke’s oops moments! And I thought the stretchy trot at the end really looked lovely ☺️
Really helpful. The ottb I ride has similar moments of silliness. It was great to see how Kane worked through it with Luke.
Loved seeing the real world example!! I ride an ex-cow horse who is trained really well in dressage at trot (piaffe, passage etc.) but POOF! turns back into a cow horse and gallops off when I ask for canter. 😂 It’s 0-100 and he can turn sharply too so it’s hard for me to stay cool… Two things have worked well for me. One is doing shoulder in out of the corner several times so he’s expecting it, but then turning it into a 10 meter canter circle. The other is just doing half halt with seat in a larger circle and envisioning collection / breathing deep until he comes to. Kind of a left brain & right brain approach depending on the day. I definitely had that same impulse to pull him into a stop though!
I really enjoyed/appreciated this video as it is exactly what I deal with on my OTTB!
This was EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you.
I love this video, I have a 4 yo OTTB (5 in a few dats) and this lesson was very helpful.
Great video. I have a 2014 OTTB that retired September 2020. He is very quiet so we don't have any blast off/hot issues. If anything, we could use a little more energy. I do struggle with the right canter though. Sounds like this is common with OTTBs and not something I'm necessarily doing or not doing. I will try shoulder-in before and after and see if that helps preparing him more and keeping him balanced and stepping through on the right hind. Happy Holidays!
I loved this video and it is exactly what I needed. Thank you! I will work on this with my OTTB.
Please do more videos with ottbs!!!
This takes me back in time to the days when I schooled TBs.
Thanks-great job!!
💯 relevant and needed!
Gosh this is perfect for me, I ride a retired thoroughbred and even though he’s more “difficult” to ride, I just love him! He’s so forward and does that spook thing as soon as I ask for canter. I almost can’t canter him in the inside ring Bc he’s so in his left turns and I lose my inside stirrup. I can’t stay balanced. Anyways, would love more of this!!!
Hi Amelia!
Thank you for this video/lesson. I think your student, her horse and you did a wonderful job of putting this together.(This was an exciting lesson!) I noticed as a student she mostly listened instead of interacting in dialogue. This tells me that she understands what you are trying to teach her in theory, but needs "eyes on the ground" for reassurance, correction and guidance in implementing the idea/cueing and knowing how/when to support her horse through the learning.
My question is: When you tell her what to do (while teaching), would it be possible to explain (to the listener/audience) how and why you are telling her to do something? I always find this helpful in learning.
My hope one day soon is to take lessons from you. Let me know when you are willing to take on a middle aged woman and her haflinger. :)
You are the best teacher!
Happy holidays!
Funny how TBs struggle with right canter. My boy has always found it difficult, whereas the left lead is easy. He is crooked and loves to throw his left shoulder out, to avoid using the right hind underneath him.
Impressive riding. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed it
Need more OTTB videos! I’ve got a just-turned 6 yo gelding I’m working with and I’ve noticed it’s a growing trend nowdays to buy an off track horse, even the Standardbreds.. so if there’s more tips you have for re-programming common training gaps/differences please share! Love your videos!!! 🖤🖤🖤
that what we struggle with, thank you for the tips
Great video 👍
This was very helpful. My OTTB explodes in right lead canter. Can someone explain the reason for this? Is it because they’re trained to race left? Thank you!
This video was very helpful! I just started riding my daughter's off the track thoroughbred and she has many of the same issues. She is going to help me build my confidence because she needs me to be a leader; she's not confident and spooks and peeks, which makes me nervous:(
He reminds me so much of my thoroughbred mare omg
Can you do more ottb ones please?? This was so helpful to see that others deal with some of the same issues that I do on my (wonderful) ottb!
Yes! Coming tomorrow just for you!
This is perfect because at my lessons I ride an ottb
Also I realized that he only does all this on his right lead
His left lead is really good and it's my transition that's bad
I have a hard time my TB on the left transition, right side is perfect. She blows out as we reach from center circle nearly every time and have to push through with my whip with a light tap to get through the corner. We have a hard time with picking up speed and I have to circle her around in warm up to burn off energy before we work.
nice video
my Off The Track Thoroughbred just dosent slow his canter what should i work on in this case
lots of trot-canter-trot transitions :)
I’m so glad I found this video. I’m working through the same issue with my OTTB. Mine likes to anticipate the transition and lunges forward even when I’m not cueing him to canter. He likes to figure out which game we are playing. Any videos on horses that try to anticipate a transition?
I know what you mean, they kind of get tense and anticipating. I don't think I have one exactly on that. But you have to go and focus on rhythm and relaxation. So you're able to half-halt and keep a clear trot rhythm. This is a good one on Rhythm: ua-cam.com/video/ysRa4kkXk-I/v-deo.html and one on half-halts: ua-cam.com/video/9M03W7LV41Y/v-deo.html
Just recently got my first OTTB, i've been having lots of trouble picking up the right lead and can usually only pick it up once in a ride, twice if I'm lucky. He can do perfect lead changes from the left lead to the right though. He also has a hard time collecting in the trot when we are going to the right. I'm starting to work on it with my trainer but it's gonna take a while, I always have to remind myself to not get frustrated 💀
Work on longitudinal suppleness! Leg yields and should fore will be very helpful. Before right lead canter, leg yield away from right leg to engage the right hind. Good luck with your OTTB! They're such athletes!
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thank you! I'll try that in my ride today
I have only ridden OTTBs. Is all of this really easier with a dressage bred horse? If so, why?
Hey Beverly!
OTTBs are fantastic athletes! The only hurdle they face is retraining successfully! I believe that OTTBs are incredible and versatile horses and can really turn their hoof to any equestrian sport! The only reason Dressage-bred horses might find things easier would be quite literally the breeding that lends them to excellence in the sport, coming from dressage specialist yards and having a dressage focused start in their training, and in some cases, the natural occurrence of the musculature that makes engagement and self carriage easier.
How can I help my ottb when he does the pre race canter? He like leaps up into the canter
Sometimes a little leg yield will help with that. Also check out my free course to canter: amelianewcombdressage.com/canter-with-confidence-o/
My OTTB has the exact moves with flying out of control suddenly. I froze the video to see the horse and riders reaction, and now don't feel so bad about myself or my horse. It's obviously a OTTB thing
So my horse is very explosive into the canter and he is also an OTTB. We've had him almost a year but when we bought him he had a lot of problems so I've only been able to ride him for 4-5 months. He's never really had any proper training or at least i don't think he has. I can get control of the explosive canter after he canters a few strides but my main problem is he won't pick up his left lead. When he does pick it up and will just do a lead change or break to trot. what is the best way to fix this?
My thoroughbred also gets too
Fast in the trot and I have hard time keeping my seat. In general it’s hard to keep my seat Bc he’s so zoomy 😆
Haha, they're such athletes but you'll get there in time with him Jyll! Thanks for watching and don' forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content!
Also, if you want help getting your position in the strongest shape to execute your dressage aids, come to my FREE webinar on Rider Position and Biomechanics on June 5th.
bit.ly/3sJTa5R
Lovely work. What's Luke's breeding or JC name? He's a serious chonk.