Racing Victoria Runs Retrainer Clinic

In mid-February Racing Victoria ran its first clinic for ex-racehorse retrainers at the Elcho Park equestrian complex near Geelong. Approved retrainers came from all over Victoria to hear from and work with equine behaviour expert Jonathan McLean and dressage rider and trainer Caroline Bentley.

rvlclinicseminarCaroline Bentley presents her part of the seminar

Support from Racing Victoria for their 15 retrainers is intended to assist them to improve their skills across a number of areas including hands on horse handling as well as the business and legal aspects of preparing ex-racehorses for subsequent resale.

It is encouraging to see Racing Victoria getting behind such a training day which can only help to improve the knowledge level and  professionalism of its acknowledged thoroughbred retrainers.

There were several elements to the day ranging from a seminar presentation in the morning from Jonathan and Caroline to practical demonstrations in the afternoon where retrainers were able to iron out problems with horses they are working with.

Jonathan discussed many aspects of the sale process which encouraged contributions from participants about techniques they were using to present horses to potential buyers. These ranged from extensive hand holding for buyers post purchase to making sure that buyers unsuited to riding or handling an ex-racehorse were eliminated from the sale process.

One component of Caroline's session concerned scientific findings about how a horse learns. She emphasised the importance of trial and error learning using negative and positive reinforcement.

  • Negative reinforcement (pressure-release)
    Using pressure (rein, leg, whip taps or clicking) to motivate the horse to trial a response and removing the pressure as soon as the desired response is given. Timing is critical.
  • Positive reinforcement
    The addition of something pleasant (food, wither scratches) that rewards the desired response. It makes the response more likely. To be introduced once responses come from light cues. A secondary reinforcer such as "good boy" at the moment of the correct response followed by the food or wither scratch can also be used.

Jonathan demonstrated the correct use of pressure after lunch where a difficult loader was encouraged to load into a float safely and with minimum of fuss.

Float loading lesson with Jonathan McLean - not happy about thisFloat loading lesson with Jonathan McLean - don't you dare hit me with that whip

OK so tapping with the whip means go forwardOK so tapping with the whip means go forward

Now that you've explained it nicely I can do thatNow that you've explained it nicely I can do that

Caroline and Jonathan also emphasised the importance of not trying to train too many new responses in a single session. Trainers needed to understand that doing the same thing in a different place is in fact requiring a new response from the horse and should be regarded as a new training session rather than a repetition of what the horse already knows.

Another important consideration was to anticipate potential flight responses before any training session and avoid them wherever possible as they are likely to trigger fear problems in the horse.

In a practical training session on the cross country course, Jonathan took several retrainers through the process of getting a horse used to the water jump.

Cara Shelley and Incitatus getting used to the water jumpCara Shelley and Incitatus getting used to the water jump

rvlclinicincitatus1Repetition produces confidence for horse and rider

Caroline took many of the horse and retrainer combinations through group dressage lessons where she gave advice on how to correct the tension and rushing so common in thoroughbreds fresh off the racetrack.

Caroline sums up for the retrainers after a dressage lessonCaroline sums up for the retrainers after a dressage lesson

Jonathan then gave a demonstration of riding an ex-racehorse fresh off the track with the exquisite but very excitable Belmorri, owned by Thoroughbred Riding Club President Lisa Brown. Although he is by Black Caviar's sire Bel Esprit, Belmorri raced with little success, scoring three third placings and around $6,000 in prizemoney. He last raced in the latter part of 2012 and Lisa plans to  retrain him for dressage.

Notwithstanding Belmorri's lack of recent riding, Jonathan was prepared to get on him in the wide open spaces of the Elcho Park sand arena in front of the club house. After an initial bucking episode, Jonathan was able to get Belmorri to settle down by taking as little contact as he could while still retaining control.

Realising that he was not going to be forced into an unpleasant situation Belmorri quickly responded and Jonathan was able to trot and canter around the arena as if he had been doing it all his life. Definitely not a job for a beginner but how many ex-racehorses like Belmorri have never had the opportunity to learn about being a riding horse from a rider as skilled as Jonathan?

Belmorri not all that keen on being riddenBelmorri not all that keen on being ridden

Belmorri tries hard to get rid of JonathanBelmorri tries hard to get rid of Jonathan

Belmorri relaxes into a nice canterBelmorri relaxes into a nice canter

Belmorri finishes his session a much more settled horseBelmorri finishes his session a much more settled horse

And will do whatever his rider wantsAnd will do whatever his rider wants

Retrainers were enthusiastic about what they had learned.

"The morning's sessions covered very important points essential to retraining a retired racehorse and then to have the opportunity to ride with one of the coaches in the afternoon was fantastic," said Catherine Shelley, RV acknowledged retrainer.

"The day also provided a great networking opportunity, to be able to meet and share stories with other retrainers."

The workshop also included presentations from Racing Victoria's Equine Welfare Officer, Cara Shelley and the Thoroughbred Riding Club president Lisa Brown outlining their commitment to retired racehorses and their role in the retraining process.

"Thank you Racing Victoria for recognising the importance of programs such as these and supporting their development," said Lisa Brown.

"The feedback has been over-whelmingly positive and we are already in the process of organising the next workshop," said Cara Shelley.

Photos: Bill Saunders, Cyberhorse