Despite their sometimes colorful reputations, off-the-track Thoroughbreds are remarkably versatile equine athletes and can be retrained to excel in many disciplines, including dressage. Due to their hot-blooded breeding and minimal training on the racetrack, however, they’re often not as coveted in the dressage ring as their warmblood counterparts. Yet with their high level of athleticism, quick ability to learn, willingness and natural curiosity, Thoroughbreds are well-suited for dressage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this video<\/a> from her series<\/a> on EQUESTRIAN+<\/a>, Olympic dressage rider Kasey Perry-Glass helps a rider and her OTTB at training level work on helping him better use his hind end while maintaining balance, steady contact and an even tempo. After tuning up some basic aids, Perry-Glass also helps the pair improve their work at the trot and canter by addressing some common issues that sometimes arise specifically with Thoroughbreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA lot of riders with Thoroughbreds who are built a little downhill tend to ride really forward, but that can often push their horses too far off their hind ends. So focus on keeping a consistent tempo with him so it\u2019s more manageable for him to control his hind end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs you\u2019re walking on a circle, take up a little bit of your outside rein to slow down his shoulders while also adding inside leg if he wants to cross behind. That way, you can adjust the speed of his front legs with your outside rein contact. This will help give him the idea of correlating your inside leg to his hind end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s really important to do lots of direction changes to practice keeping the contact the same on both sides. When he feels a bit stiff, try to push him with your inside leg and maintain that steady contact. Even if he pushes up against your hand, just say, \u2018Nope, you\u2019re going to stay here for a second.\u2019 Then focus more on his hind end so he can settle into your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHoning Your OTTB’s Dressage Fundamentals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n