Conference noted::equitation

    I have broken many standardbreds off the track into riding horses
    and have had relatively few problems.  I actually took a horse right
    off the track one week and rode him on a judged pleasure ride the
    next week!  I find the best part about standardbreds in general is
    their temperment, most of them, and I am saying most here, not all,
    are very level headed and learn very quickly.  When you take a horse
    like this off the track, they are used to having everything done to 
    them, equipment all over them, carts behind them, they are around other
    horses, they have usually trucked a million miles if they raced etc.
    Have they tried to ride the horse yet?  If she seems nervous, maybe
    someone tried to break her too quickly and she got scared.  Just like
    anything else, breaking horses takes a lot of time and patience.  If
    you want more info, send me mail!

    
    	Hi Caryl, 
    
    	According to my husband, who works on thousands of horses 
    	a year, he thinks standardbreds are very level-headed
    	horses, they are his one of his favorite breeds to
    	work on - they always stand quietly to have their teeth
    	done...
                 
    	my (or his) 2 cents...
    
    	Sherry
    

    Have to put mine in, too. I have a Standardbred mare that I took right
    off the track, as well. She'd never been ridden. Her attitude was fine,
    she couldn't have cared less when I got on her, and I was riding her
    bareback on trail rides for several months before I even had bought a
    saddle. Retraining her into a riding horse took a lot of work, and even
    more patience, she would pace, was terrified to canter, and would panic
    when we passed a horse who's rider was carrying a crop. I stuck with
    it, and she's a very different animal now. Never paces, loves to canter
    ...and protective Mom refuses to let anyone near her with any form of
    whip in hand. I do distance riding with her, and she is one of those
    positively bombproof horses you can rely on to continue on through
    anything. I would have to say she is rather high-strung, though. Not
    spooky in the least, but a real handful more out of enthusiasm. She's
    a doer, loves to get out and do things, willing to do anything at all.
    She's not a beginners horse, she's sensitive and gets cranky as all 
    heck when she feels pressured. My riding partner rides one as well,
    he's a lot more spooky than mine, afraid of traffic and water and
    bridges, but he's getting better. Both horses are wonderful in hand,
    and amazingly versatile, for a breed that is rarely recommended as
    riding horses, they certainly are under-rated. Good luck, if you do
    choose this horse, if nothing else you'll never have a dull moment!
    
    

   The remainder of replies regarding breed stereotypes/prejudices
   were moved to note 1483 which is titled "Valuing Differences in Horses".

   This topic is for answering the request for info on Standardbreds
   and retraining of horses. There is also information on this
   in note 1361.

    I'm the original noter, and I now look at horse owners in a different
    light, and believe me I am one!!!  Actually, I guess I've always
    known this, it just became more apparent.
    
    Take a "Mom", we will do anything to protect our children..be it
    verbal or physical.  What I have seen just demonstrated in the past
    few notes, is that we all love our horses and their breeds, that
    is why we own them.  Yes, like Kiirja, they all have their individual
    quirks, we will love them anyway!!! 
                                                             
    
    Kiirja was also correct is stating I'm probably looking for a horse
    with "low" energy, I already have a high strung (very active) appy,
    so I'm looking for one that we can put even a beginner on.
    
    Thanks for the input, and I will certainly be aware of any comments
    I make about breeds...in the future!!!
    
    Caryl
    
    I'm just as protective about my cats and dogs!!!!

    Just wanted to let all you noters know....
    
    I am the original noter who mistakenly made a reference to arabians
    being high- strung (or did I say spirited).  Well I just got horse #2
    and I'm sure when I trace her she'll have arabian in her.  She is a
    5 yo paint mare, 14 h and is absolutely beautiful.  She's got the size,
    build and grace of an arab, (although I do know her grandfather is
    quarter horse).  She also holds her tail like an arab when gallopin
    around the corall.  I'll check out the file on arabs cause I'd like to
    know more about her breeding (I checked out the paint file)  any info
    on where I can learn more about her background would be helpful....
    
    She loves to jump!!!!  
    
    caryl

    >she loves to jump !
    
    
    up in the air or does she over anything ?? :*)
    [ohh....here we go  agagaga x 100 ]
    
    			wendy o'
    
    
    
    				

    Carly-
    
    Is she a registered Paint?  If so, there shouldn't be any arab in her,
    if there was, she'd be a pinto.
    
    Where did you get her, what does she look like?  how much color does
    she have?  Again, if she's registered, the national clubs will do a 3 
    generation linage for you (for about $10 to $15).
    
    Paints are my favorite, if you have any questions, let me
    know....anything I can't answer, I can ask my instructor.  She breeds
    paints and pintos.
    
    Michele

    Michele....so much for thinking she might have arab in her.
    
    Yes, she is a registered paint. I'll check her papers but I think she
    came from Rhode Island.  I got her from the Marlboro Equestrian
    Center.  Seems she was rough boarded and the owners weren't showing up
    to feed for 5-6 days at a time.  So the Center picked her up for a
    school horse, but being only 5 she's didn't work out.  Poor thing has
    had 7 owners in 5 years...I'm trying to bond (and put on a few more
    pounds) with her before I start in on the heavy training/riding.  She's 
    obviously been shipped around alot. 
    
    Jessie's Summer Dee is a pie bald sorrell with 4 socks, just a few
    small white spots on her body (nothing to rave about).  Very pretty
    head and nice conformation.  I do know that she has quarter horse in
    her, but that's all I know.  
    
    Can you give me some background on the paint breed?  As you may have
    guessed I know NOTHING!!!!  HAving her is like a dream come true, I
    have always wanted a paint.
    
    I do know who her mom and dad are and her grandparents, but how do  you
    tell is she's got good lines.
    
    Next question..I got my appaloosa at 4 and he did grow a couple of
    inches and really filled out.  Will a 5 year old grow any?
    
    I'm really looking forward to working with her...
    
    Caryl