The Horse Works - Horse Sense with Cathy Dee

On the near shoulder, a registered cipher brand (a letter or combination of letters, or symbol). Examples are Cambridge Stud's S inside a C and The Oaks' acorn brand.

On the off shoulder, two numerical brands, one beneath the other. The bottom number is the last digit of the year in which the foal was born. The top number indicates the individual horse registered by the cipher brand owner in that particular year. So, for instance, a horse carrying the numerical brands 28 over 5 was Horse No. 28 branded by the cipher brand owner in the year 1985, 1995 or 2005. It's usually not too difficult (with the help of a vet if necessary), to determine if a horse was born in 1985, 1995 or 2005. If you decide to buy a thoroughbred off the track, there are some very clear guidelines you must adhere to if you are to end up with a calm sensible enjoyable mount.

The Thoroughbred

I include a whole section on these wonderful horses because I have rescued and rehabilitated horses for over 25 years, most of the horses I have rehabilitated have been thoroughbreds. These beautiful - often misunderstood horses often have a very tough (and short) life.

Some people misguidedly get a thoroughbred straight off the track because it was either free or very cheap. They then expect the same horse to work in completely a different discipline to that which it has been trained. They expect a very fit, highly strung, hard-fed horse, to adapt to quiet hacking, or dressage often without so much as a weeks break from track work. When they have the inevitable problems, they then, either have the horse put down - for being 'unrideable' or give it away to someone who may brutalise the horse in order to break its spirit and therefore be 'quiet' to ride.

The Phantom Most of the horses I have rescued over the years have been down this route. It's heart breaking.

Thoroughbred horses are extremely intelligent, loyal and sensitive animals. It may take a while to form a bond with this magnificent animal but once you do it lasts a life time. I find them highly trainable, often very sensible and eager to learn.

The racing thoroughbred has a tough start. It is usually broken in at around 18 months to be raced as a 2 year old. If it shows no promise it is either shot or a 'home' is found for it. Being shot would sometimes be a kinder option.

They are fed an extremely high powered hard feed, trained rigorously and often stable kept so that when they are ridden they are ' jumping out of their skins'.

Nibbler and Phantom groom each other First and foremost, horses need company. They are herd animals and should NEVER be kept alone. This is simply cruel.

They need to have companions to groom each other, play with and simply 'hang out' with.

Secondly, any thoroughbred straight off the track will need a cooling off period of turnout. Around 8 months is good. During this time handle your horse on the ground as much as you can, groom him, feed him and just go out to the paddock and hang out with him a little but DO NOT attempt to ride him.

Thirdly it is always a good idea before you start to ride your new horse to not only get a vet check but also to have his back checked by an Osteopath - many problems are caused through the horses back being 'out', just like ours! Also a good horse dentist is a must - have his teeth checked also.

When you start to ride your horse, make sure you have manners fully established on the ground before you even attempt to ride him and start him off as you would any young horse - lunging - no more than 20 minutes each session for a week. Ride him out quietly AT A WALK only for his first ride and make it no more than 20 minutes.

If you find your horse getting a bit 'het up' and starting to jog or bounce, apply THE ONE REIN STOP at once then walk on calmly. Allow your horse to walk forward freely, do not grab the reins and hang on to his mouth. I ride my new horses at a walk only for as long as it takes to get them to relax and step out with enjoyment. Sometimes this can take a couple of months. Don't be in a hurry - every horse is different.

Do not make the mistake of forcing him to walk slowly - allow him to move forward freely but every time he so much as starts to jog, pull him round into the one rein stop.
If you make him walk slowly, he is liable to store up energy until he needs to release it usually in an explosion of bucking or bouncing.

Never ever head home at any pace other than a walk.
Nibbler and I

Thoroughbreds have an undeserved reputation for being flighty and stupid. They are neither. They are extremely sensitive and need kindness and understanding...not brutal enforcement. They are quick learners with the right training and encouragement.

Personally I think we are breeding some of the best most beautiful (see above photograph of Nibbler and me) event/pleasure/dressage horses in our thoroughbreds, in the world yet people keep paying huge amounts for warm bloods because of their undeserved bad reputation. There are few greater thrills than re-training a thoroughbred for a new discipline and establishing a lasting bond.

Don't be put off owning a Thoroughbred, they really are wonderful horses - but you need to be a calm and patient rider.