Chez Chevaux's Thoroughbred Training Methods 

by Melodee C. Shelley-Bolmgren

Chez Chevaux is the only Washington State 501 (c) 3 non-profit rescue devoted solely to Thoroughbred horses. Much of our mission involves retraining ex-racehorses for better placement into permanent and appropriate adoptive homes. While the Thoroughbred is certainly a versatile breed, we prefer to adopt our sound Thoroughbreds into committed show or performance homes, versus “pleasure” homes. We feel Thoroughbreds are bred to be performance horses: They enjoy having a specific job to do and doing it with reasonable frequency.

Regrettably, Thoroughbreds are less numerous in today's Hunter, Jumper and Dressage rings than they were twenty years ago. Many show trainers think warmbloods are more tolerant of beginning, intermediate and/or multiple riders. Others cite client unwillingness to pay for the retraining of their off-the-track Thoroughbred racehorse.  I maintain that the Thoroughbred's attributes of ambition, sensitivity and intelligence are, ultimately, worth the time and any challenges the retraining may present.

I find that Thoroughbreds learn more quickly than any other breeds I’ve worked with.  If a Thoroughbred likes its job, knows what is expected of it, and understands how to do it, it will perform a dressage test, navigate the hunter ring or attack a jump-off course on cruise control.  No other breed is likely to best the agile Thoroughbred in a timed event if the rails stay up.  An educated rider can relax and enjoy the ride. The elegant Thoroughbred's stamina and unparalleled enthusiasm for going forward also makes them well-suited for eventing, foxhunting, and polo.

It is crucial, when retraining the off-the-track Thoroughbred, to establish what discipline the horse shows the most enthusiasm and talent for and focus retraining efforts in that direction.  Thoroughbreds are extremely direct, interactive, communicative and honest by nature. Rarely are they truly argumentative, and then it’s likely due to past mishandling, poor training, physical discomfort or simply misunderstanding.