I've been trying to find some information on this topic on the web with little success. Any of you have experience in this area? What sort of experiences, tips etc. can you share? Does anyone know of some good websites as well?

I researched "retraining OTTB" on AltaVista (google sometimes is just too commercial, now) and found a site I had visited when I had PolskaL www.exracers.com Here's the post that led me back to the 'exracers' site. I copied the original post from it's forum, as it had other links as well:

Quote: <"the gripping with your legs is new to him and he is probably not used to it so the 'flight' instinct kicked in.. I hope that is what happened... Which is why at this point a saddle is recomended so you can slowly apply leg ( or place leg) on the sides.
When a horse is on the track they are taught basically ' the harder you pull the faster I have to go. If you have ever seen a horse race you will notice the moment the jockey crosses the finish line they drop the reins.that is the signal for the horse to slow down. which of course is the opposite of what we non race riders do with our horses. So you will have to reteach him that also.
You may want to go to the following Bb's one is dressage board where they have a retraining, remeidal, youngster part the others are devoted to retraining OTTB's
www.ultimatedressage.com ( you do not have to joint to read the bb but do to post. the owner does not allow free emails)
www.exracers.com ( i beleave you have to join to read but it is free and accepts free emails)
http://www.thoroughbredsandmore.com/forums/index.php?
(cant rememer if you have to join to read)

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/retraintbs/?yguid=144750137
( pretty sure you have to join to read but cant remember right now it has been a while since I have been there)

Yeah I think you are expectin to much to soon. How long has he been off the track? You probably mentioned it in your last thread but I do not remember... And when he came offthe track was he put right into work or given down time to be a horse? He may need that and that can be anywhere from 3 months to 6 months depending on the horse..
But best thing to do unless ( and IMO even then) there is a pressing reason to rush him along take it as slow as you can. Dont be dissapointed by set backs learn from them and work on them so they happen less and less.:>

Again, those are not my words, just from a posted question on another forum. :-) Have fun!

Reschooling the TB

I didn't read it so it may not have what you need. Go slow and start with groundwork and lunging. When you move to under saddle work be considerate because all her life she has been trained to go and now you are trying to change that. Make sure all your aids are clear and precise so you don't confuse the horse.

I retrained OTTB for several years at a couple of farms that I used to work at. There is also a thread about this on my website's forums that are, at the moment, unfortunately down right now because we are in the process of upgrading the software. We hope to be back up this afternoon some time and I'll post the link to tht thread.

Feel free to email me with any specific questions, if you like.

laura@themanestreet.com

I've done some too, and there is a tremendous variety among them. I would second the reminder that they are taught to lean on the bit to go faster. My mare is very easy, she retired because she's lazy which helps me. She still has tension about some things, which usually manifests itself by cocking her head to the side and bracing her neck as if she were being ponied on the track. She also isn't sure that she can canter left but she can and gets better with regular work. Others I've helped with thought they had to run and run and took lots of big, gentle circles to learn to slow themselves down. They have seen a lot, which is nice when you take them new places, and most have learned to be obedient and attentive, although some have simply been manhandled and think they can walk all over you unless you have a chain on them. I don't know exactly what you're looking for as there are so many aspects, but I can try to help if you have more specific questions. This is all just from my personal experience at my former job, but my trainer is a huge TB fan and works well with them and taught me a lot.

I've only worked with two so far... and they were both very very different.

Z-Man had already been OT for a couple months so he had "come down" from the hyper race state. That being said, he was definitely sensitive.

Sparky, otoh, had raced two nights before we got him. He was high as a kite and he was definitely high energy. It took a good two months for him to really calm down and another good four-six months before he became more like a "real" horse. He was a little unsure of herd dynamics and seemed to injure himself on a regular basis. About four months out, I did hire a trainer to work with him for 30 days on lunging (he had no clue) and to work on transitions and stopping!

Now, twenty one months later, he's pretty much full horse. He requires regular work.. which I have been slacking on lately because of a new job.

My DH has ridden under twenty times in his life. Sparky is his "trail" horse. (Hacking around the farm I board at! lol) He can still be pretty excitable with new situations and around new horses, but is pretty good when Ollie is with him.

The websites I used have already been mentioned. Also, you need a really good farrier who's experienced with OT animals ,a good feeding program, and a good vet. My biggest challenges with Sparky were his feet and putting weight on him.

We've got a few articles on Equisearch -- here's a search results page for ex-racehorse

I'm sure you will find something more informative from one of those sites, but the best advice I can give is take it slow. The slower the better, in general OTTBs are raced at a young age, and thrust into new things and new experiences quickly. I think this makes them more wired, in addition to their natural sensitivity. Second best advice I can give is just be patient. It might seem like your OTTB will never understand and calm down, but he will. It just might take more time than if would on a "Normal horse"

Here is a yahoo group on retraining TBs. I occasionally find it useful. There are quite a few track personnel that post on the BB, so there is good insight - but it also gets derailed quite often. I love harnesing the wonderful mind and athleticism of the OTTB. I don't think its as difficult as it may sound. Once they get a taste of the good life they rapidly forget the high stress track environment.

Thanks! Going to have a look now!