Standardbred Horses Life After the Track
The Standardbred Horse breed is over 200 years old. The fist horses were called Standardbred because they had to reach a standard for the mile race to be registered. At the beginning the breed was made up of trotters only with the pacers coming later.
The pacers have a lateral gait which means that the front and back legs on each side work in unison. Right back and fore go forward while right legs go back then they change but the fore and back always are moving in the same direction.
The trotters have a diagonal gait which means that the right fore and left back legs move in unison while the left fore and right back will be going in the other direction.
For many years these smart, hardworking horses left the track for a miserable life of pulling a plow or the family cart.
Today the standard bred horses are becoming very popular as saddle horses. Many riders are turning to the standard bred ex-race horses because they are levelheaded, fearless, willing, forward animals. Most after a few years on the track have been exposed to noise, other animals, confusion, crowds, and handling. These horses are a dream for the groomer and farrier. Most will step into a strange stall, trailer, or paddock without a bat of the eye.
You will find them at many shows. They are being retrained in dressage, jumping, English and western equation and command, pleasure, gaming, trail, and driving.
Two years ago we bought High Hill Sable at the Essex County Fair in Westport, NY. Sable was born in 1995. She is a pacer. She raced as a two year old and every year until 2005 when she came home with us.
Sable had never had anything other then harnesses on her back before we acquired her. The day after we brought her home my daughter put a saddle on her back. Sable made no reaction to the saddle so Sheilana put her foot in the stirrup and slowly rose up into the saddle. She was ready to pail off if need be but still Sable had no reaction. It was like she had this happen every day of her life. As Sheilana put her weight in the saddle Sable turned her head a little as if to say she wasn’t sure what was expected of her. She was lead around the arena once while Sheilana gave her leg cues. The next time around she went forward then she started to pace. She sure could go fast.
Since that day two years ago Sable has become a great trail horse. She jumps nicely and refuses nothing. It seems if you would be willing to ride through fire this mare would most likely be the one to carry you through it.
March 23,2007 Sable gave birth to Sable Hill Sunrise. Sun as we call him is a standard bred/qh cross. His father is a 4 year old palamino qh . Sun has a very sweet personality. When visitors arrive he is the first to the gate for a kiss on his nose.
So you can see why the track is not the only place the Standardbred feels at home.
http://www.ustrotting.com/services/breed/harness.cfm
http://www.standardbred.org.au/