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Post by stacenangel on Sept 28, 2009 8:32:16 GMT 1
right ok, so ive not had my mare a week yet, so it VERY early days and just letting her settle really. thought id ask a few questions though, seeing as im sure many on here will be a little more experienced with racers thn my self.
ok so my girl is 3yrs, she not long been off the track so was wondering what type of work would you have her in at present, should i turn her away over winter for her to mature ?
also would you keep all 4 shoes on over winter if shes in very light work, i was thinking of perhaps taking them off?
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Post by gemmat on Sept 28, 2009 9:06:15 GMT 1
I would turn her away but defo keep handling her on the ground. It will give her the chance to mature mentally and physically but still get to know you. You could always do some groundwork with her as if she trusts you this will make your job a whole lot easier when you decide to start the serious work.  Re taking her shoes off what sort of feet does she have? If you are going to do it I would do so sooner rather than later so her feet have a chance to harden up a bit before it goes frosty. Being barefoot definitely improves their feet and with her being so young its an ideal chance for you to do it. Be prepared to have to be a bit strong though..she might be a bit hoppity for a bit but stick with it!  |
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Post by stacenangel on Sept 28, 2009 9:26:00 GMT 1
thankyou for that, in the week ive had her weve just been walking around in hand, getting used to one another with lots of pampering.
her feet are pretty solid atm, ive only ever had horses unshod, so when she goes spinning around it worries me a little, ye the farrier is due out soon,so will get him to take them off, that way her feet can harden through the winter months.
would you have fronts on first for a bit, then go fully barefoot, or barefoot straight away?
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Post by gemmat on Sept 28, 2009 9:55:26 GMT 1
If her feet are decent I would just try taking them off, you should be ok. Time will tell though, some TB's are tougher than others!  I have one barefoot at the moment in an attempt to grow his feet and improve them, and the other has feet too bad to go naked and is having remedial shoes at the moment. However if I had the choice I would be going barefoot with both, massive saving in £££ and its better for their feet! |
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Eleanor
Member 
The demon in disguise!
Posts: 1,283
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Post by Eleanor on Sept 28, 2009 14:04:53 GMT 1
It depends what you plan to do with your horse in later life. I personally would ride her for a couple of weeks, do some basic schooling, a little hacking - just getting to know each other stuff, nothing serious, and then kick her out for the best part of winter. I always find that the youngsters I have backed are better for doing a few weeks of work and then forgotten about to let it sink in. I have never had a bother restarting them after winter as I have probably got on them two or 3 times over winter 'cos I've had nothing else to do on my days off work if the weather was nice.
I'm quite lucky in that both my tb's have good feet. Kyle didn't have shoes on last winter and he was fine trundling round the field, but he was stabled at night. Jeff didn't have them on either but he wasn't working and he never bothered with his feet. If your horse has tough enough feet then there is nothing stopping you riding her without shoes on, I just wouldn't on roads as much as possible.
At the end of the day, you will know yourself if she is coping with her work load - be it full work or field rest to mature. And you will see how she is coping with her feet, shoes on or off. So just play it by ear and see what she tells you to do.
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Post by stacenangel on Sept 28, 2009 14:27:15 GMT 1
thankyou, much appreciated info. first few years im basically wanting to do dressage and showing see how that goes really. and yes im hoping i can find a saddle shortly, ive tried 7 so far, non have fit  ye so will take your advice, will do a bit of schooling try get her hacking, take her shoes off then semi turn her away perhaps ! |
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Post by shoetimeshadow on Sept 28, 2009 14:36:11 GMT 1
hi stace
thats what im planning to do with hawk.
Im gona let him chill for a week or so then plop ma bum on him just a little hacking, realy treating him like a pony then his hard work will begin prob spring time with dressage n stuff. He will be coming straight from racing so its better just to give them a little down time to adjust to you and home.
Also while she is fit she will be at her peak so you will get to know more about her little traits n flaws while she has been racing.
good luck, you will know yourself what to do.xxxx
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