pilgrim’s transformation // dealing with behavioral issues 

So about your "Confident horse, not fearful horse" thing. My instructor and I have a saying that goes back a long time. "If you train a horse with fear, there will always be somthing it fears more. If you train a horse with trust, even when they are scared they will trust you." Something like that. He's got a great canter.

Ok listen. There are a lot of very rude comments here in the comment section. It is HER horse not yours. She decides what she wants to do with her horse and not YOU. I bet that most of the people in here either own, lease, or ride horses and for those of you who own horses, I want to see YOU post a video about your horse and I’m pretty sure that there are plenty of people including me that can point out some flaws. I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t care about your comments to “go get him checked by a vet” or “there is definitely something wrong with his back legs”. Because if you listened before you spoke, she did indeed say that she got him checked by a vet and that he is all well. Her vet has more say in this than anybody else since he/she is a professional. This horse looks pretty happy to me. Also it is a transformation video meaning that yeah he may have been a bit stiff in the beginning but he got better. I’m sorry to those of you who genuinely are concerned but it is none of your business. I’m not commenting to criticize anyone or point out people and call them haters but it bothers me that some people think they have the right to tell somebody what they should do with THEIR horse. Good luck to you two and I can definitely tell that his training is going well 😊

It's amazing how far he has come!

This makes me so happy to watch. Horses learn with patience, understanding, consistancy and repetition. The horse world needs more people like you!! ❤

He did look so stiff in his body at the beginning, by the end he looked relaxed and way more fluid. You helped him so much, it was a pleasure to watch. I hope he has a good life now.

14:04 when you forget how legs work hahaha awe he’s so cute

Just wanted to say that you do such a nice job, esp. With your ottb's. You have the right mindset and patience and I love that you're always using pats and positive reinforcement with them.

is it just me or is there something wrong with his back legs

He’s got a beautiful canter! Looks like it would feel like being on a rocking horse! So nice and slow.

I love how people are trying to give her advice when she literally knows what she's doing. Like sure it might be doing it with a good intent but how can you see from a single video?

My parents bought me a little arab(In my profile picture), though I completely qualify him as a rescue as he is 5-6 years old and was almost starved to death. Had they not bought him he would have gone to slaughter and we weren't having that! Though he is still recovering in his weight, his ground manners have been a HUGE issue, and while he's always been pretty fantastic in lunging(aside from cantering as his feet were too severely overgrown and he's just starting to find his balance in a trot) everything else was awful. I still have some issues in picking up his feet but it has much improved from the countless times he would kick or attempt to bite me, and I can still remember the looks I got at band camp for the ugly bruises littering my legs. He is alright to lead but turns into a kite every time he decides something is too scary, although as he has decided he really likes me over time he usually just tries to "protect" me from his mortal enemies: palm trees! XD He is also considered ridable but due to his current condition, even though he is very close to healthy weight, I only sit(for no more than 10 minutes) and occasionally ask for a few steps, we also know he is unresponsive to leg completely. I can only hope he'll turn out as fantastic as pilgrim is now! :D

this transformation is unbelievable! you have done such an amazing job! this horse has come so far and looks so gorgeous!

this video made me cry glad you gave him a chance and taking time too work with him...best video i have seen in a long time.

I LOVE your transformation videos. I would really love to see a series on OTTB training from you. I agree with everything you say and I really like how you explain things like when you used your crop during the indoor jump schooling. You seem to really have an understanding of how horses view their training and you convey it so well through your explanations!

I think he has a problem in his hind legs and thats one of the causes for his behavior. Also race horses often have stomach problems due to their stress and minimized hay feeding and thats probably bc he's so sensitive to your leg. Just consider getting it checked by a vet :)

Amazing u have come so far, you have so much patience with him and your very gentle, and that something that not a lot of people have.Love you! 💞

I really love how patient you were with him. It shows in his transformation.

Lol 9:49 the cat runs across the arena😂😂

I am so proud of how much you and pilgrim have grown, so exited to see what’s next!!!!😃😃😄

This is truly inspiring! I love watching you work with this animal that came from nothing to something!

You did amazing with him! He looks soo good now and very happy your such a great rider

His back legs are so stiff. They look sore

Great work loved seeing you get him round and on the bit. Kudos!

He turned into such a good man, I could definately see him doing hunters even just at the low level, he's got such a nice relaxed approach to fences!

You do such an amazing job with all your horses! Such a quiet soft rider 😍

What a great job you did with this guy - he definately had his share of issues - patience, firmness and kindness won the day and you are a very smart and talented trainer - Well done!!!

You've done a super job with him, well done! It's clear you've developed a bond and he trusts you. It's very difficult to deal with nappy horses but you worked through it and look at him now :-) He doesn't rush his fences, he's reaching into the contact, he's a happy boy

Wow, you are honestly such a good trainer. He has come so far!

I love your channel sm! Wish I could go to your barn it seems like such a nice environment 😁

Wow! His progress is amazing!

You passed up the chance to call this Pilgrim's Progress?!? 😂😂

At least when u got him I could ride him outside. When I got my ottb when we rode outside he took off in the arena and I fell off and slammed my hip into a wooden fence post.

Absolutely fantastic!!! You did such an incredible job!!!

Absolutely love you and your videos!!!

I love love love how Stephine never brought out a whip ❤️❤️❤️

Wow he’s come so far! Congrats amazing work 💗

I’m currently trying to re-train this ottb. He hasn’t been ridden in more than a year and he knows nothing. You can’t even get him to go over a ground pole without him jumping it. I was seriously starting to think he wasn’t going to work out but he has come so far! This gave me lots of extra faith in him 😊

You should do a video on tips and tricks to get your different horses on the bit and how to have them start to accept a frame!

Wow amazing transition! You should be proud of yourself!

Pilgrim is so spunky! He has his own little attitude. 😃

I really liked this video! I’m thinking of getting an off the track tb so this really showed me some of the difficulties I may have to face while training

I loved the video Stephanie definitely gained a few tips that I can use myself with my horse :-) I'm annoyed that so many people just watched half the video or didn't pay attention at all The horse isn't hers it isn't in her rights to get him Vet checked All she can do is tell the owner and she addressed this she felt for pain and he didn't show any signs of pain so what evidence does she have to tell the owner none so in her position it would be wrong and inappropriate just like many of your opinions

Awesome transformation of this horse!

What a beautiful horse!!

Its werid cause I actually like you, this is my first video but I went and watched more and I like your personality and how you go about things. Pilgrims transformation is amazing and I'm inspired to keep persisting with my horsies behavioural issues.

Hi girl, I know it’s been ages now, but just for future notice when you get an ex racer; hop on it without the spurs for the first few times, they will have never felt them before. Along with the chance of them having stomach ulcers it’s probably very irritating. Whatever we often call a good ride within the racehorse community is not always a good ride for common riding. Anyway I think you’ve done a great job, I was just giving some advise if you have this problem in the future!

This is the cutest horse ever!!

What a gorgeous horse ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

I have one thing to say.. HIS TROT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I can't help but notice the fact as soon as you got him you didn't get a vet to check him over? Not sure if its different in the UK but usually when we get horses we have them vetted before even considering riding them..

firsttttt luv u so much ❤️❤️❤️

I say this much, he is t as spooky as most OTTB’s I’ve seen, ridden, and or heard of 😂 the water I understand, it’s different for some horses who are a bit smarter and are like “but it’s easier to just go around “ but how he wasn’t looking at the jumps or anything funny was great!

Love this! I’m sitting in the car watching it at my horses and using it as inspiration to go get my two young ones in 😂

Loving this he has come so far ;)

Great job! He looks amazing!

nice job being patient and consistent with his behavior issues. Physical issues aside, he had a real bad attitude about just listening and responding. We use the chestnut to pick up feet, usually gives you less resistance and they get very soft and we let them move around (no tying) until they chose to stand quietly for feet, also helps them build more confidence in you.

i am looking for a new barn, so i think you are the best trainer

I the stiffness in his leg was hurting you would notice. That fact that we kept going and improved is great! I like you reward training method

You did fantastic training pilgrim! You did a lot in a short time...

I love Pilgrim so much wish I could buy him😊😊😊

Wow what a difference!! Amazing job with him

I’m getting an ottb tomorrow. He hasn’t been ridden in years, so he’s going to be my first real project horse

You can see the difference in trust in both of you x

Hey! When I saw this video, it looked just like one of my horses. He had multiple visits to the vet before they said it was behavioural issues. They finished on that he wasn't a riding horse. I didn't listen, and continued to ride him. I can get him to a trot, and have found he LOVES jumping. I can't ride him more then 20 minutes though, because then he simply stops, paws the ground and stands still. Because he has thrown me many times and I have seem how strong he is and how powerful is can be, I don't dare. Im not even kidding when I say this horse WILL really hurt me, but I wouldn't even dream of selling my boy. He needs help really bad, and I know if we sold him he would end up in a slaughter house. He is such a smart and loving boy, I really need your help!

You did such a great job! Congrats❤️

You have come so far with him!! I'm currently training my first horse and she is an OTTB. What are some of your favorite flat work and jumping exercises?

He’s green as grass, I believe! Good job!

oh boy, my OTTB project is exactly how Pilgrim was in the beginning. The not walking, kicking out, etc. Except it's only gotten worse and we've tried everything! (Yes: vets, dentists, chiros, hell even an animal communicator!) UPDATE 2 Months after this comment! Not long after I posted this I got the vet out again to decide on his fate. He was getting so dangerous that we were considering behavioral euthanasia because his quality of life was declining (He wasn't able to get farrier work done and could only handle the vet for a minute at a time) but the vet suggested giving him Midazolam (yes, a tranqualizer) so that he could calm down enough to be handled and build his trust with humans again. A month later (after the meds wore off) he wasn't kicking out anymore but was still super sensitive. Two weeks ago I put him on magnesium and HOLY COW it made SUCH a difference! I can *groom* him! He falls asleep being brushed now instead of squirming and being upset! I have yet to get back on him but his back sensitivity has disappeared! I'll update once I get back on him, probably sunday (although there's a snow storm moving in and I don't have an indoor).

Ik this isn’t a tutorial at all. But the things you said like being patient with your horse really helped me. My horse was super impatient so this really helped me.🥰🥰

you did an amazing job with him!

Your jump standards outside are niceeeeeee

Also my trainer trains OTTBS and she always teaches them cues on the ground so that might help in the future

amazing transformation!!

My horse is the exact same he hated me putting pressure on him he would stop and kick out and buck, we did the same as u and thought that there was something wrong with him, so we got teeth people out, hoof people ect to see if this horse was hurting but nothing they all said that he was just being an lil butt to us, however we got people out that deal with behaviour and now I ride him bare back because he now doesn’t spook nor dose he buck at me anymore he is the sweetest boy but he was just to spoiled by old owners.

Can I send you my horses 😂😂

Love how patient you are with him! His back legs look SO LONG compared to the rest of his body XD But he's beautiful!

My lesson horse tries to murder me when I try to pick up her feet

aw you have done such a great job!

Amazing job ^^ Could you please explain what exactly did you do with the flexing when he did not want to go forward? Did you just flex to one side and used leg again, until he moved, or flex from side to side until he moved, or...? I am asking because I also have a horse with this exact problem, not wanting to go forward from my leg and stopping, bucking and kicking instead. Thanks!

You did so good!!!

he is so cute 😩

he’s actually soooo pretty

i’m training a horse for the first time. (to jump) I’m kinda in this hole of sticking to things he is good about so i don’t have to fight with him or so i don’t get hurt. i need to just break out of the routine but it’s hard to make myself do something that i know he’s going to misbehave with.

OMG HIS CANTER IS GORGEOUS AS WELL

Just found your channel and love it! I subbed

I love what you do! I'd never be able to let them go. Do you have any tips for a younger rider who's trying to build more confidence? It's just in a year or two I'll have been riding for a decade and I still don't have much confidence. I can jump about 40-50cm and anything higher I freak out

That cat tho it just kept coming in the frame 😂

Hi Stephanie I have a horse who CAN'T stand still while im grooming, or saddling her. She also rushes after the jumps.. What can i do?

1:08 *horse:* DRESSAGE TIMEEE

I have a question for training and getting used to my new horse. She's very spooky; every sound scares her and she won't really trust much around her. What would you recommend trying to help her overcome that? She's doing well under saddle so far, but we believe they didn't socialize her hardly at all. I'm a Western rider if that'll make any difference in an answer

Racehorse retraining is a skill indeed! Physical exam must be first for rider safety. Ulcers, back, muscle strain can become a hazard. It is better for calmness to consider placing your horses hoof gently to the earth rather than letting it drop to the ground. In trusting a new person with hoof treatments the horse looked to me to be going through yhe process of trusting you. Lower leg aid?? Does racing have lower legs!!☺ In hand work, not necessarily lungeing, is a great way to connect the leg while on the ground with the aid used while mounted and then trying it there. However tbs are so smart he connected with your intention. Arent horses amazing like that. Well done on your work but please consider how a racehorse has to rebalance. Slow and steady keeps you both safe. A first ride with a person around is a safer option as i dont feel the previous owner was up front. Take care.

I forgot u had him😂🙈ooops he's looking great now 😍😜

Wow what a lovely little guy. So brave and chilled once he understood what he needed to do. Well ridden! Did you ever have him scoped for ulcers? I know it’s a common problem in thoroughbreds sadly

Omg Pilgrim is beautiful

This is just a suggestion but maybe don’t use spurs on the 2nd ride as if he hates you using leg then spurs could put him of more, not criticising but spurs you only be used when really needed as there not just like a whip or a kick there a lots more :)

Learnt soo much.... Thank u for the awesome video

Just really interested, if he's just come of the race track and when you filmed you said that it was the 2nd time sat on I'm, why did you choose to wear spurs as spurs are not allowed on racetracks??? Xxx

At my barn we have an ottb and he does the same thing when you ask him to go, he just kicks out and makes a noise

pilgrim is a *great* name for a horse, i *love* it (not sarcasm)

Hi, Stephanie, My name is Jasmine Southworth and i have a Tennessee walking horse and his name is Shady. When i got him i was told that he was fully broke, that turned out to be a lie. i have been working with him for about a year and a half. a few weeks ago i was riding him and he took with me on him and i couldn't stay on so i fell off. Ever since then when i get on his back he wont stop even when i lightly pull back on the reins and tell him whoa , i've been asked how i get him moving and what i do when he doesn't move ( which is rare because as soon as i'm on his back he moves and wont stop) is click my tongue and lightly kick him in his side. Can you please help me with this problem?