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Together with The Retired Racehorse Project, Ride iQ has developed a series of lessons, Thoroughbred Fundamentals Presented by the RRP, taught by OTTB specialist and event rider Aubrey Graham. Aubrey’s series is specifically for riders of off-track Thoroughbreds, targeting early training sessions in the horse’s transition from racing to riding sports. Aubrey’s first seven lessons in the series are available on the Ride iQ app today.

This lesson is the first installment of the series. Throughout the program, Aubrey is working with Giants Gateway aka Beans, a 4 year old gelding that raced 6 times before being retired from racing and moving to Aubrey’s farm. Beans is new to Aubrey’s program and the lessons in the series give you a look into the actual process of introducing him to his new job (in other words, if the exercises are new for you and your horse, too - you're not alone!).

In Lesson 1, Aubrey does groundwork with Beans and focuses on teaching him how to move his neck and his shoulder. This exercise translates well to teaching a horse to respond to aids while under saddle. Here's what you should know:

Arena Size / Specifications

20m x 60m arena, but you can do this work anywhere

Equipment

Beans is in a rope halter with a lead rope and Aubrey is holding a dressage whip.

Before You Start

There's nothing you need to see before you start.

Horse / Rider Experience Level

This is a useful exercise for horses fresh off the track and/or any super green horse.

Pony Club Certification

This lesson is well-suited for horse/rider pairs at B level or above.

Horse Temperament

This is a great exercise for all green horses.

Lesson Preview

1:00: Hand walking to the arena while Aubrey introduces the program and her exercise

5:10: Hand walking around the arena

6:40: Standing at Beans’ left shoulder, take nose piece of the halter and say “give” until they relax their nose to your hip, reward them and allow their head to go straight, repeat a few times

9:35: Switch to stand at their right shoulder, take nose piece of the halter and say “give” until they relax their nose to your hip, reward them and allow their head to go straight, repeat a few times

11:55: Switch back to the left side, allow them to walk forward a little bit, take nose piece of the halter and say “give” until they relax their nose to your hip and then ask them to move over through their shoulder to get them to cross their front legs saying “over” and using a few taps from the dressage whip, reward them and then repeat a few times

17:50: Switch to stand at their right shoulder, allow them to walk forward a little bit, take nose piece of the halter and say “give” until they relax their nose to your hip and then ask them to move over through their shoulder to get them to cross their front legs saying “over” and using a few taps from the dressage whip, reward them and then repeat a few times

20:50: Allow them to walk around and pat your horse!

For access to the rest of the lessons in this series and all the Ride iQ lessons, download the Ride iQ app!