How to Train an OTTB On the Flat for Three-Day Eventing

training your Thoroughbred horse on the flat for eventing horse shows
  • User AvatarJim Wofford
  • 16 Feb, 2016
  • 0 Comments
  • 3 Mins Read

How to Train an OTTB On the Flat for Three-Day Eventing

Submitted by member: Laura

I have just acquired a really nice young 5-year-old Off the Track Thoroughbred.  He is an athletic jumper and a really nice mover. My goals lie in the eventing world, and I have a question about how to start training him on the flat, being that dressage is a part of his future. Lately I have been hearing and reading a lot about more simple non-clashing aids, especially on young green uneducated horses. My background on the flat lies with the dressage training system and I am thinking now that this system may be confusing to my horse at this stage. Can you advise me on this please?

Answer by Jim Wofford

I love OTTB’s, but think we have to understand the Thoroughbred temperament to train them well. Instead of doing any dressage with him, I would first spend several months training him as if he were going to make his living as a green working hunter. I mean that he should walk, trot, and canter quietly on long/loose reins, taking his leads calmly and accurately, and trotting and cantering small gymnastics and mini-courses without speeding up.

Once you have him settled down, it will be time to introduce him to turns on the forehand and leg-yielding, which are the foundational exercises we use to introduce our horses to the magic of the inside leg to outside rein connection. The modern dressage “Training Scale” is quite correct, and I refer to it often in my teaching, but for TB’s I want you to go back to the historical precepts…”Calm, forward, straight.” How long will this take? I can’t say. But in situations like this, remind yourself that you always have to have more time than your horse. Good luck.

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