Thoroughbred pre-training is an essential part of prepping a young horse for a life of full-on training and racing. Introducing a horse to a busy training yard or race track can be quite a shock for unprepared horses, so pre-training is essential.
What Are The Fundamental Aspects Of Pre-Training?
Some of the typical aspects of thoroughbred pre-training include breaking – if the horse is not already broken – where young thoroughbred horses are first taught to accept riders, tack and commands.
Groundwork and schooling follow thereafter, where the horse is made fit, strong and taught how to carry itself correctly to avoid injury. This involves building muscle and correcting posture and balance, among other things.
Pre-training also commonly includes jump training, which is essential for horses going into show jumping. However, it is also useful for racehorses because it can teach proper form.
Fit For Purpose
A thoroughbred is usually in pre-training for about 12 weeks. During this period, pre-trainers will primarily focus on slowly getting an unfit horse into racing shape. This involves building the horse’s fitness and stamina while transforming fat into muscle.
The first four weeks or so are usually spent walking, trotting or cantering. Long-reign methods are used as they are considered one of the best ways to build, balance and strengthen the horse. This slow-paced approach helps strengthen tendons and ligaments, while also increasing bone density. It also helps to improve the horse’s coordination and suppleness. Long-reigning allows the pre-trainer to assess and adjust the horse’s posture and form before adding a rider.
A rider is only added to the pre-training regimen after about four weeks.
It is important not to restrict pre-training to just the arena, as the mundanity of such scenery can lead to a demotivated horse. A good pre-training facility will do work out on the grass and tracks to give the horse a change in scenery and further help build their balance. This kind of variation keeps the horse fresh and enthusiastic.
At Glenrae Thoroughbreds, we not only offer expert thoroughbred pre-training services but we also genuinely love horses. We’ll give them the best care money can buy. Contact us now for more information!
Some of the typical aspects of thoroughbred pre-training include breaking – if the horse is not already broken – where young thoroughbred horses are first taught to accept riders, tack and commands.
Groundwork and schooling follow thereafter, where the horse is made fit, strong and taught how to carry itself correctly to avoid injury. This involves building muscle and correcting posture and balance, among other things.
Pre-training also commonly includes jump training, which is essential for horses going into show jumping. However, it is also useful for racehorses because it can teach proper form.
Fit For Purpose
A thoroughbred is usually in pre-training for about 12 weeks. During this period, pre-trainers will primarily focus on slowly getting an unfit horse into racing shape. This involves building the horse’s fitness and stamina while transforming fat into muscle.
The first four weeks or so are usually spent walking, trotting or cantering. Long-reign methods are used as they are considered one of the best ways to build, balance and strengthen the horse. This slow-paced approach helps strengthen tendons and ligaments, while also increasing bone density. It also helps to improve the horse’s coordination and suppleness. Long-reigning allows the pre-trainer to assess and adjust the horse’s posture and form before adding a rider.
A rider is only added to the pre-training regimen after about four weeks.
It is important not to restrict pre-training to just the arena, as the mundanity of such scenery can lead to a demotivated horse. A good pre-training facility will do work out on the grass and tracks to give the horse a change in scenery and further help build their balance. This kind of variation keeps the horse fresh and enthusiastic.
At Glenrae Thoroughbreds, we not only offer expert thoroughbred pre-training services but we also genuinely love horses. We’ll give them the best care money can buy. Contact us now for more information!
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