The Standardbred is one of the equestrian world’s best-kept secrets. Known for their incredible work ethic and gentle nature on the harness racing track, these horses possess a treasure trove of qualities that make them fantastic riding partners. If you’ve just brought home an off-the-track Standardbred (OTTB), you’re embarking on a deeply rewarding journey. The key to success in this new chapter lies in understanding their past and patiently showing them the way forward. Learning How To Train A Standardbred Horse is less about breaking old habits and more about translating their existing skills into a new language.
These horses are athletes, bred for generations to be calm under pressure, willing to please, and incredibly sound of mind. Unlike the more ‘flighty’ reputation of some other racing breeds, the Standardbred is known for being dependable and sensible. Your new partner already knows how to handle new environments, loud noises, and the demands of a job. Your task is to reshape that focus from the race track to the riding arena or trail. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to build a strong, trusting partnership with your Standardbred. For those interested in the broader world of equine professionals, the career of a figure like michael burke horse trainer showcases the dedication required to excel with different breeds.
Understanding the Standardbred Mindset
Before you put a foot in the stirrup, it’s crucial to understand the world your horse came from. Standardbreds are purpose-bred athletes for harness racing, meaning they were trained to pull a two-wheeled cart, called a sulky, at a trot or a pace. They are not accustomed to a rider’s weight on their back, nor do they instinctively understand leg aids or seat cues.
Their temperament is their golden ticket. They are generally known for being calm, docile, and reliable. This isn’t an accident; it’s a trait that has been selectively bred into them for safety and trainability on the track. They are energetic but disciplined, channeling their power into the work at hand. This focused energy is a massive asset once you redirect it.
One of the most unique aspects of the breed is their gait. Standardbreds either trot (moving their legs in diagonal pairs) or pace (moving their legs in lateral pairs). Pacers are more common in racing. They do not gallop instinctively, and the canter is an unbalanced, often confusing gait for them initially. Acknowledging this is the first step in teaching them to move like a riding horse.
The First 30 Days: Decompression and Foundation
When a Standardbred leaves the track, they need time to decompress. Their previous life was highly structured, with specific feeding times, daily workouts, and constant activity. The transition to a quieter life can be a big adjustment.
First, schedule a thorough wellness check. Have a veterinarian assess their overall health, paying close attention to any wear and tear from their racing career. Tendons, suspensory ligaments, and joints should be carefully evaluated. An equine dentist should check their teeth, as racehorses are often bitted in specific ways. Finally, a good farrier is essential. Their hooves will need to be rebalanced and trimmed for a new job, and they may need to transition from racing plates to standard horseshoes or even go barefoot.
Diet is another critical component. Racehorses are fed high-energy grains to fuel their performance. This will need to be transitioned slowly to a diet more appropriate for a pleasure or sport horse, focusing on high-quality forage like hay. This dietary shift not only prevents health issues but also helps their brain slow down and adjust to a calmer lifestyle.
Building a Partnership on the Ground
Groundwork is the single most important phase of retraining a Standardbred. This is where you build trust, establish a new communication system, and teach them the fundamental concepts they’ll need under saddle. It’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Essential Groundwork Exercises
- Leading and Halting: This seems simple, but it’s about teaching the horse to respect your space and respond to your body language. They should walk beside you, stop when you stop, and back up with a light cue. Practice this until it’s effortless.
- Yielding to Pressure: A racehorse is not taught to move away from pressure. You must teach them that a light touch on their shoulder means “move over,” or pressure on their hindquarters means “swing your hip away.” This is the precursor to understanding leg aids under saddle.
- Lunging for Relaxation: Lunging isn’t just for exercise; it’s for teaching a new vocabulary. Use clear voice commands like “walk,” “trot,” and “whoa.” This helps the horse connect your voice to the desired action, a skill that will be invaluable when you’re in the saddle. Focus on rhythm and relaxation, not speed.
- Pole Work and Obstacles: Walking over ground poles is a fantastic exercise. It encourages the horse to look down, think about where their feet are, and lift their back. This simple activity helps develop their topline muscles and improves their balance, which is crucial for learning to canter later on.
How to Train a Standardbred Horse Under Saddle
Once your horse is confident and responsive on the ground, you can begin the transition to riding. Remember, this is a completely new experience for them, so patience is paramount.
Transitioning from Harness to Rider
Start by simply tacking up and lunging the horse with the saddle on. Let them get used to the weight and feel of it without a rider. When you do mount for the first time, make it a brief and positive experience. Plan to just sit there for a moment, then get off. The first few rides should consist of nothing more than walking and halting. One of the first and most important skills to teach is simply walking in a straight line with a relaxed posture; this is a departure from circling a track.
Developing New Gaits
This is where the unique challenge of the Standardbred comes into play. You must teach them to use their body in an entirely new way.
- The Trot: If you have a pacer, encouraging a true diagonal trot can be tricky. Use ground poles or gentle inclines to disrupt the pace and encourage them to break into a trot. Keep the sessions short and praise any effort to trot, even if it’s just a few steps.
- The Canter: This is often the final piece of the puzzle. The canter requires a level of balance and collection that is foreign to a harness racer. Many Standardbreds will initially try to trot or pace faster when you ask for a canter. The best way to introduce it is on the lunge line in a round pen, where the circle can help them find their balance. Ask for just a few strides, then bring them back to a trot and praise them. Over time, as their strength and balance improve, the canter will become more established. The experience of different tracks can vary, and understanding the history of places known for horse racing with cart can provide context for your horse’s background.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Every horse is an individual, but some challenges are common when retraining Standardbreds.
- Pacing: It’s not a “bad” habit; it’s their natural, bred-in gait. The key is to make the trot more comfortable and rewarding through exercises that build the right muscles. Don’t punish the pace; instead, set the horse up for success to offer a trot.
- Tenseness Under Saddle: A Standardbred may be tense simply because the sensation of a rider is strange. Keep rides short, calm, and predictable to build their confidence.
- “Dead to the Leg”: They have never been taught to move forward from a rider’s leg. You must patiently teach them that a gentle squeeze means “go forward.” You can pair the leg cue with a voice command they already know from lunging.
As esteemed equine behaviorist Dr. Sarah Miller notes, “Standardbreds are incredibly intelligent and eager to learn. Their racing career instills a powerful work ethic. The trainer’s job is to unlock that potential by translating cues with patience and consistency, not pressure. They want to give you the right answer; you just have to teach them what it is.”
Advanced Training and New Careers
Once your Standardbred has mastered the basics, the sky is the limit. Their “bomb-proof” temperament makes them exceptional trail horses. Many go on to excel in dressage, jumping, endurance riding, and even western disciplines. Their sturdy build and calm mind have made them sought-after mounts for police departments and therapy riding programs.
The racing industry has many facets, and seeing live events can be enlightening. For example, witnessing the energy at venues like those hosting red mile horse racing helps one appreciate the environment these horses come from. Similarly, following horse racing scioto downs or checking the hoosier horse racing results provides a glimpse into the athletic world they are graduating from, ready for a new partnership with you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are Standardbreds good for beginner riders?
A: Once retrained, a Standardbred’s calm and forgiving nature makes them one of the best choices for a beginner or timid rider. However, the initial retraining process should be handled by an experienced horse person.
Q2: How long does it take to retrain a Standardbred?
A: This varies greatly depending on the individual horse and the trainer’s consistency. A basic walk-trot under saddle can often be achieved in a few months, but developing a balanced canter and higher-level skills can take a year or more.
Q3: Can a pacer learn to canter?
A: Absolutely! While it can be more challenging for a pacer than a trotter, almost all Standardbreds can be taught to canter with patient, correct training that focuses on building their balance and strength.
Q4: What are Standardbreds like temperament-wise?
A: They are known for being people-oriented, calm, intelligent, and eager to please. They are often described as “bomb-proof” and are generally less spooky or reactive than many other breeds.
Q5: Do Standardbreds need special shoes?
A: Not usually. After their racing career, they should be transitioned to standard horseshoes or can often go barefoot, depending on the quality of their hooves and the terrain they will be ridden on. A good farrier will be able to make the best recommendation.
A Rewarding Partnership Awaits
The journey of learning how to train a Standardbred horse is one of immense satisfaction. You are taking an athlete from one successful career and giving them the tools to thrive in another. The bond formed through this process of patient teaching and mutual learning is uniquely strong. By focusing on a solid foundation of groundwork, understanding their background, and celebrating small victories, you will unlock the potential of this incredible breed and gain a loyal, dependable partner for years to come.
