What to Consider for Your First Ride Off the Track on Your OTTB

I recently received a request on Facebook for suggestions to consider for someone's first ride off the track on their new OTTB, so I put together this video as a way to share my philosophy on preparing for the first ride off the track.

The Main Takeaways

Before even considering getting on for the first time:

• Have your horse checked by a chiropractor, dentist, and massage therapist, and also establish a good baseline understanding of your horse's overall health and/or areas of sensitivity or prior injuries.
• Make sure your new horse understands how to remain relaxed with bit pressure, responds appropriately to pressure on her sides, is able to yield her haunches in each direction, and can stand quietly next to a mounting block.

The first ride is all about TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS, TRANSITIONS

• For a first ride, keep it short - no more than 15-20 minutes - and focus on walk - halt - walk transitions for the majority of the time.
• Only try trotting if you have an established walk - halt transition
• If you do trot in the first ride, then keep it brief (no more than 5 minutes total), and focus on quick transitions - walk - trot 2 strides - walk.
• I never canter in the first few rides; I want my horse to fully understand how to balance under my weight, bend, flex and stay relaxed through transitions before I ask for a canter.