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Popular Stories. Jet Run. Not Your Ordinary Thoroughbred Trainer. The Enduring Magic of Janet Dailey. Confessions of a Polo Groom. Major League Show Jumping. What turned out to be a slam dunk began as a what-if as a stellar eight-horse field lined up in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic G1 at Del Mar.
The horses are ridden often, making their transition from racer to pleasure riding. As the horse advances, they are introduced to other equine activities, such as jumping or dressage. They do not want to put you or the horse at risk for injury. If you are patient, a rescue agency can likely match you with an excellent Thoroughbred. Other organizations offer similar services, but these groups have a sustained model that has shown success over a long period.
You can also contact the horse humane society for information about horse rescues in your area. Some Thoroughbreds can be good trail riding horses; however, you need to pick the right one. Most people enjoy trail riding as a means to relax. Hot-blooded horses, like Thoroughbreds, are typically not ideal for a peaceful ride in the woods. Trail riding is a popular outdoor past-time for horse lovers around the world.
As the term states, it involves riding your horse on paths or trails. Trail rides could include rides through mountains, on beaches, or down a bridle path, really just about anywhere outdoors. Thoroughbreds are intelligent, energetic horses that enjoy working and training. Because of these traits, they need to be ridden with authority, or they will frustrate quickly.
At Blenheim, I went during the middle of the day, but the rain had made the course more difficult. Santino was up to the challenge while I saw other horses getting discouraged. It was very rare to make the time or get close to it. It definitely was an advantage to be sitting on a Thoroughbred, and I was thrilled to finish 13th.
Luckily, the Thoroughbreds I have picked and ridden can stand up to warmbloods movement-wise. But they were competitive in the dressage phase because they also had the right brain—that is, they were agreeable and trainable. Thoroughbreds also tend not to be as careful in the show-jumping phase as warmbloods.
Those horses are generally bred for dressage and show jumping, while Thoroughbreds are bred for galloping, speed and endurance. This can mean that Thoroughbreds jump a bit more flat and quick, which may make them a little less careful. Even if a Thoroughbred is tired, he will rally and keep going for you. Another plus for Thoroughbreds is that they require less conditioning. They stay naturally fit. You have to be much more diligent about conditioning warmbloods.
So many times before a big competition, something happens and you miss gallops. You can get away with that if necessary with a Thoroughbred because you have more flexibility fitness-wise than you do with a warmblood. Thoroughbreds tend to be a little bit sensitive, but once you have a relationship with one, it works to your advantage. I find them easier to train than some young warmbloods.
Their bodies require more time to mature and their brains work a bit slower. Most Thoroughbreds, even if they get frightened, tend to stay with you mentally. They have a little more self-awareness. They do tend to worry, however, and need a rider with a secure position.
Especially as young horses, they are more sensitive and aware so they are affected by subtle movements made by the rider if he or she starts to get unseated.
They feel the tension of an uncertain rider, but conversely, if the rider stays confident and steady in the saddle, they gain reassurance. I see people who just want to do lower-level dressage at local shows but feel they need to get a warmblood for that.
I have several students who have nice horses off the track at various levels. There actually is a resurgence of Thoroughbreds in eventing. The top-placing horses at WEG all showed a good percentage of Thoroughbred blood, which made people pay attention. Holly and Santino were eighth after dressage at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials and finished in 13th. As more and more people are going back to Thoroughbreds, prices are starting to increase for the good ones.
There are still plenty of bargains out there, though. Not every OTTB is going to be an upper-level horse, but many can still become fabulous lower-level packers. Thoroughbred horses are a tall breed that can cover a lot of ground quickly. They also like activity and have a desire to move; this combination can make for a miserable ride, especially in groups that travel at a slow pace.
An ideal trail riding horse has a natural gait that stays with the pack without effort from you. A good trail riding horse should have pronounced withers that blend nicely into the slope of the shoulder and back.
Good conformation of the withers provides for the best possible fit of a saddle. A saddle that fits your horse correctly will help your horse stay sound and saddle-sore free.
It will also provide a more comfortable seat for you, even during long rides. There are ways to manipulate the saddle pads to make a saddle work on a high withered horse; however, the saddle will often move when riding and causes bruising and pressure sores. Besides bruising and pressure sores, high withered horses are prone to develop soreness in their muscles and joints during a trail ride.
When buying a horse, consider the height of its withers. Recently, we had a group of Thoroughbreds and Quarter horses together in a paddock. The Thoroughbreds towered over all the Quarter horses. This made me wonder if Thoroughbreds are too tall for trail riding. The properly sized trail riding horse is one you can mount and dismount with ease on the trail.
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