To train a horse to drop its head, hold onto the end of the lead that’s close to the horse’s head. Tug downward on the lead very slowly and gently until the horse learns to drop its nose. Pull backwards on the lead gently and carefully to teach the horse to step back.
You can use a lead with 2 long reins attached, if that’s easier. Tap the horse’s bottom lightly with a long riding crop to keep it moving. This process is also known as “lunging. ” Since the horse will be running in a circular motion at a racetrack, it’s important to get them acclimated to running in a circle early on. Unless you live on a farm or near a stable, you’ll need to find another place to train your horse. Look online for training facilities near you, especially ones that focus on racing.
Before riding the horse, you want to help it get used to having pressure and weight on its back. The roller is a good stepping stone for this. You can purchase a roller at any shop that sells horse supplies.
At this point, don’t try riding the horse yet.
If you can’t decide which bit is best for your horse, talk to a training professional for help.
Continue training your horse in a circular pen or paddock. If your horse isn’t comfortable with the basics, it won’t be able to run and train properly at a track.
These baby steps help your horse get used to handling a rider. If you try mounting the horse right away, you could spook it and end up getting bucked or otherwise injured. Different horses adjust at different rates. Don’t be discouraged if your horse doesn’t adjust well to riders right away.
Whenever you ride a horse, be sure to wear a helmet, boots, and proper work or riding clothes.
Changing “leads” is a fancy term for switching which leg your horse “leads” with when it walks or runs. Since races are pretty high intensity, you don’t want your horse overworking the same legs. Try to approach the inanimate object from a 45-degree angle. This will make it easier to practice changing leads.
Don’t move to a new enclosure until your horse understands basic commands, steering, and lead changing.
You don’t want to head out to the racetrack until you and your horse are comfortable running.
Bandaging protects your horse during strenuous workouts, so wrapping every day can be a huge help. Just make sure to rewrap regularly, too. This can prevent skin irritation and circulation issues. You can buy wrap at any horse supply store.
The amount of time you train depends on the stamina and skill of the horse. If your horse seems especially tired with a very high pulse, you may want to tone down your regimen. To check a horse’s pulse, put your pointer and middle finger beneath your horse’s lower jaw. Count its heartbeat for about 15 seconds, then multiply that number by 4 to get the total beats per minute.
For instance, you could spend a few weeks exercising your horse at a trot or galloping pace, then work your way up to a 2-minute lick. If your horse is more in shape, you can focus your training more on galloping and 2-minute licks. Don’t overwork your horse! Training is a long, gradual process, and it will take time before your racing companion has the stamina it needs to race.
Some races are over 1 mile (1. 6 km) long, so your horse needs to build up a lot of stamina to finish the race successfully. Works and breezes are a great stepping stone for this. You can do a weekly breeze to get an idea of how fast your horse is, and where you and the horse can still improve.
For instance, for the first few weeks, have your horse run 70-80% of their max speed for 1-2 furlongs. Over the next few weeks and months, gradually add another furlong or 2 to the workout. Never command your horse to run at top speed—this will tire out and strain your racing companion.
Many trainers will ride and practice with their horses at a racetrack. [21] X Research source
If you don’t train with other horses, your horse could be overwhelmed when it goes to race for the first time.
For instance, you can include the specific track, the training date, the course (e. g. , dirt training), the distance (in furlongs), as well as the horse’s time. If your horse was racing against other horses during practice, note their rank in the spreadsheet as well.
But can you make money through your racehorse? Yes, you can. Through successful races and breeding, the top earners make ~$100,000 per year.
Thoroughbreds will usually cost you more than the average racehorse, often between $100,000 and $300,000. [29] X Research source On the whole, thoroughbreds follow the same training regiments as any other racehorse. So if you’re interested in training this breed, start with the advice included above. [30] X Research source
