FROM RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE // Rocky's 1 year progress - The good, the bad, the very ugly...

My old horse was the same! Not as bad as Rocky but absolutely PETRIFIED of poles! I got him jumping 70s before I moved him on but unfortunately we just didn’t get along as a team

Thank you so much for posting this. You are such an inspiration. Thank you.

I litterally love watching how you progress and train your horess. I watch your videos anytime I need help with mine or tips on what to do. I have a question though..how do I teach a horse to have a nice headset?

If your still in the same area I suggest harcourt indoor arena it 12$ for a hour and it’s got jumps you can set up

He is many of the horses I learned to ride on. Then I wondered why it took me so long to learn how to soften and relax😂 good for you sticking with him and being so patient! The OTTB brains are...weird and can be very frustrating. Can be great horses but not easy.

Try to post slower this worked with my ottb when he picks up speed post slower and gethin going in a smaller and smaller circle

I absolutely love the fact that in the beginning, no matter how much he fought you, you guys never added a martingale until he was ready for it, and when finally added, YOURS IS PROPERLY FIT FOR HIM. It is a great example of good horsemanship and respect for the animal. I know too many people that would have said "no sir" and crank their noses down with martingales far too tight right from the beginning. Also, I wish I could keep my lower leg as still as yours.

I'm a little shocked you didn't mention the effective use of the running martingale.
Paired with quiet hands it is a great tool ❤️
Sadly, I wouldn't believe what bit you had in his mouth, simply because you didn't mention the martingale that was absent in earlier rides.
I was enjoying your video until that moment, then I realised how pixelated you and the horses face were.
Sad. 😢

Yes great job Holly👏🏻. I kept saying to my self a running martingale will help and then you put one on👍🏻. A difficult horse for sure but wonderful to see how you persevered and have given him the chance of a good home at some point as well as being able to enjoy him yourself as you now start to reap the benefits of your struggles.

My TB, used to do this, got really over excited and chucked his head in the air etc. had hope scoped and back xrayed. Had stomach ulcers (common in tbs) and mild kissing spine. Hasn't done it since. ❤❤

Wow you have incredible seat, Rocky has come a long way

omg why is my tb like exactly the same minus the crazy spooks

My toxic trait is thinking I could do this

You guys have gotten so far!!! I do have a question..how did you get the headset though?

Where did you get him from?

Watched this vlog for a second time. I love watching his and your progress together. I also loved all your commentary for Rocky’s thoughts, classic😂 Can’t wait to see his journey in 2023

Love from California🏔️🌲☀️💙

wonderful and inspiring to see the progress with Rocky and a good reminder that sometimes things go backwards before they then proceed forward ; really great video; can you tell us more about the change in bit- always interesting and sounds like it made an improvement

If you could do it again, would you take more time to establish his flatwork? A lot of OTTBs tank off when they feel unbalanced so I wouldn't be surprised if that was just how Rocky felt.

That pissy little white pony in the arena part of the video is hilarious.

You did a fantastic job w/Rocky - great patience , understanding and skill on your part - not an easy horse but sweet horse - well done!!

😍😍how lovely to see him absolutely adore his jumping. What’s superstar. That last round was lovely. Please could I ask aids u used in the beginning , I know you said you had to keep a short contact at the start because of him running. I’m going to try an off the track Tb next week that’s had few yrs reschooling but hasn’t done much since. I’ve also had a lot of time out so wAnt to make sure I ride him correctly. It’s been a while since I rode an OTTB . Any tips would be great. I’e … riding with my seat extra.. I’ve forgotten how racehorses are ridden . Many thanks holly. CNt wait to see this season for you guys

I wonder how Shelby Dennis would have handled him

Wow, you should be so proud of what you have achieved because I truly believe there aren’t many riders out there who would have stuck with him! That did NOT look easy! You’re also incredibly brave!

I couldn’t believe it when you said “Our first show at Shepparton” as I live quite local to that xD I’m a massive fan and it would be a dream to meet you! ♥♥

Holly… what do you do when a horse refuses or dosent want to follow through an exercise you give them such as lunging or pole work? Your thoughts would be appreciated thank you 🙏🏻

This should be a reqiured video for anyone buying a horse off the track, whether they have raced or not. The patience and repition needed to get a horse steady and safe can't be overstated. You are the best kind of trainer, patient and going at the horses pace not your own agenda. So many people get an OTTB and expect to immediately - take it for a trail ride for example, have a hell of a job controlling it and the horse starts it round of new owners. Very sad and totally unnecessary for the horse and rider (s).

Hate that stamp to the house. It is sign of abuse

I rode an ex-racehorse for a few years in high school. Amazing horse who turned into a beautiful hunter. But the barn I rode at was next to a highway and even in his older age, once in a blue moon, a truck would go by and he’d race it 😂

He looks so good 😊

Holly on her Rocky Road! 🐎🐴💗😻

What made you stick with jumping him rather than giving him a dressage career?

Holly, you should be so proud of yourself and Rocky! He's come SO far (but you already know that). Great work and thanks for sharing his progress!

So fun to watch his progress!! You did great with him!

I wouldn’t be sew sawing his mouth that’s pretty harsh.
His bit keeps coming out to far when you turn. Give him more rein

Thank you for this video.

I’m a new owner with a TB mare. I’ve see a lot of the exact same training reactions that I’ve been dealing with in your video. From the absolute terror of a ground pole to the “omg this crazy horse may run over my child!” reaction. I’ve been there. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not alone.

Wonderful progress here, great to see & so impressed with your perseverance, braveness & your prioritizing the relaxation! Kudos to you, great job in your entire retraining!! Inspiring to see his evolution & the degree of partnership you've established by the end of the video. Thankuou for sharing - I have enjoyed quite a few of your videos now!! 🐴😍🐎🙏

I not trying to be rude may take him to a bit fiter he may just need I little bit of a chance. I konw that find the perfect bit is hard so there could be a better bit for him

Not bad. He wondered when you want him to run. Then, he figured out he didn't have to. And, you were happier when he was relaxed. Might make a champion cross country.

This is so nice to see Holly, you have made him into such a lovely little horse. All the hard work pays off. Keep it up x

I have watched Rocky from the start and even for an off the track he was certainly not easy! I think that you have done an amazing job with him, especially since you can only do it for half the year! Ex-racehorses are used to having a break, I used to rough mine off for the worst months, Jan,Feb, then start again mid March, and then I would only hack for at least 6 weeks, then they would generally be more relaxed and ready to listen, think it's a racehorse thing! Saying that I am totally biased and would always home an off the track over anything else. When you get through to them it's so rewarding. I think Rocky was lucky that you got him, he could have gone either way , but your patience and time has made him into a horse with a future, brilliant!

I feel like cross country is his calling

Cheers from Australia 🦘🐨 new subscriber 🐎🤠

“Obviously this is not a total transformation video”

Looks like a total transformation to me!! You’ve done an amazing job with him so far, he’s looking like a proper showjumper now. These videos are my favorites you put out, its lovely to be taken through the process of training and see how they learn, and i learn so much from them! Already looking forward to next december’s updates :)

For his issues with panicking at the sight of poles in the beginning, did you do anything besides - lots and lots of poles - ? I’m riding ine who we have to show the poles/jumps at a walk every single time we change anything or he’ll have a meltdown. Once he sees them he’s fine though 😂 it’s a shame cause he has a great jump but this is obviously not gonna work for competitions lol was wondering if you did anything worth trying! Thank you!!

We have a 12.2hh Welsh pony that’s the same as Rocky - however I’m quite a nervous rider and she’s a nervous pony, do you have an tips?

As an ottb owner
..how many times do we say...I'm sorry, excuse me please.

Yeah not using rein is very bad so I know there’s more than rein but u should always make sure u have your rein at the right length so u are right

What a great vlog again!! You can see how he gets stronger and stronger and starts using the hind end. I love how you are taking your time and going back to basics after the break. He is such a kind horse and is trying so hard to figure out the new job!! Great stuff!!

Note to self - OTTBs are a LOT of work and take a LOT of time. It takes a lot to get into their minds and redirect them.

The easiest way when off the track is put a surcingle on him with long driving lines on. Ground drive in an enclosed small space. Even a dirt aisle will do. Teach stopping starting, turning, flexing at poll and into the turn. Very calm and slow. No losing temper. They then learn to steer and not expect a race with tack on. It is safer to do all this on the ground instead of sawing on the mouth under saddle. He has never been given a foundation in the racehorse world.