Day 16 – Phil’s Courage’s Journal

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If you drop the rope you have now taught your horse that if he struggles he will be released. The purpose of the exercise is to teach your horse that if he gets a leg caught he is to stand still and he will be released. I am sure everyone knows of at least one story where a horse got caught in wire, fence, underbrush, etc. and severely damaged muscle, tendons, or ligaments because he fought to free himself. Again, I repeated lifting his leg and released as soon as he relaxed. This was repeated on all legs.

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OTTB discussion between trainer and prospective client

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If only this were not so true . . .

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Retraining Thoroughbreds – OTTBs

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These pages are dedicated to retraining off-track-Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) for dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper and pleasure. OTTBs are kind, sensitive animals who want to bond and please their humans.

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Riding Your Off-the-Track Thoroughbred for the First Time

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Many new buyers of off-the-track Thoroughbreds are worried about what their first ride will be like. At Bits & Bytes Farm we have been getting Thoroughbreds off-the-track for many years now. We always take a safe yet relaxed approach to the first ride. Here are a few important things to remember . . . This…

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Phils Courage at the track

Training OTTBs – Phil’s Courage’s Journal – From Ex-Race Horse to Sport Horse

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I have asked Kara to give us a Journal of Phil’s Courage’s training. She uses what techniques promoted by most “Natural Horseman” trainers. It is our hope that our reader’s will see how these techniques work to make your horse respect you on the ground and when mounted.

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Day 15 – Phil’s Courage’s Journal

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Morning feeding: no problems.

I vaccinated Phil today. When I vaccinate a horse for the first time I am always prepared to do some ground work, or desensitize the horse to the needle.

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Help! My Horse is Rearing.

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Rearing under saddle is an unpleasant reaction. In its extreme form, flipping over, this action can be life threatening. Understand, it is a reaction usually caused by rider error.

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Day 20 – Phil’s Courage’s Journal

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Side note: I use certain words like “NO” or “BACK” to help me raise my energy and change my facial expression, not necessarily to teach Phil to respond to the words. Eventually, he will make the connection between the words and my actions. These words are always said in the same authoritative tone.

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Race Horse vs Homebred Thoroughbred – Which is Easier to Train?

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Thoroughbred race horses have lots of valuable training experience that puts them way ahead of homebreds. Learn more about retraining Thoroughbreds from this video.

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