Would you tackle a thoroughbred? Louise Robson specialises in retraining ex-racehorses for dressage, and he or she says riders shouldn’t be afraid to rule them out.
She calls out the robust reactions that may be generated when horse-hunters stipulate, “No thoroughbreds” in wished adverts, that usually contain advocates of ex-racehorses singing their praises and inspiring others to provide them an opportunity.
In reality, Louise thanks those that exclude off-the-track thoroughbreds from their search, stating that “taking up an ex-racehorse isn’t for the faint-hearted”. She desires to lift extra consciousness of what’s concerned in taking up an ex-racehorse, reminding riders of the “dedication, laborious work, mind ache and endurance they require”.
Louise previously labored for German Olympic gold medallist Monica Theodorescu, organising Thoroughbred Dressage on her return to the UK in 2012. Among the many many ex-racehorses she has developed into dressage horses are the late Queen’s Mister Glum and Quadrille.
She factors out that, regardless of having amassed many titles and successes herself, retraining thoroughbreds is commonly removed from easy.
“I like to take my ex-racehorses out competing and compete in opposition to some mega horses and have fun what our former stars of the monitor can do. However I’ve quite a few days once I want I used to be sat on mentioned mega horse, as my ex-racehorse has boiled over and brought me for his or her model of the “remaining furlong” contained in the white boards.
“We, as a British tradition, like to assist an underdog,” she continues. “Some could think about having/driving/competing an ex-racehorse to be like ‘supporting the underdog’, or in some instances doing a great deed or ‘saving’ a racehorse.
“Let’s be clear – you aren’t ‘saving’ your ex-racehorse from their coach. These horses have had 10-star care, love and devotion whereas in racing and it’s our duty to hold out that very same stage of care, driving and coaching to the very best of our capability.”
Louise Robson: ‘Ex-racehorses want a robust assist workforce’
Louise highlights a number of the potential challenges concerned in proudly owning or coaching a thoroughbred as, “flat ft, weight acquire points/considerations, soundness points/issues, an limitless provide and attempting of saddles, bits, rugs and varied feeds”.
“For some, it’s simply not what they’re searching for in a horse/new equine partnership,” she causes. “Not all of us like the color inexperienced, however will we inform others that they’re flawed for this selection – after all not! So why is it, when folks state ‘No TBs’ of their wished adverts, they’re then held to such a stage of social media persecution?”
For many who do select ex-racehorses, Louise stresses the significance of getting a stable residence assist workforce, together with vet, physio, saddler and coach, to make sure thoroughbreds obtain the care they require.
“It’s necessary to bridge the hole between the racing world and the retraining world – to not see them as two totally different worlds, however utilizing the primary to boost the second,” she says.
And in terms of those that resolve thoroughbreds will not be for them, Louise thanks them for being reasonable of their evaluation of whether or not they may give an ex-racehorse all it must thrive in its new environment, and for “placing these horses’ necessities earlier than your individual”.
“To all these with ex-racehorses: carry on selling and shouting about your great tales along with your ex-racehorse from the rooftops. However as a substitute of probably burning somebody on the proverbial social media stake [if they say they don’t want an ex-racehorse], take your time to say thanks to those folks, and know that they’re ensuring that these horses get the very best life/household doable, which is what all of us need on the finish of the day.”
Do you agree with Louise Robson about ex-racehorses? Would you encourage others to tackle a thoroughbred? Share your ideas with us by emailing hhletters@futurenet.com.
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