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“The key is slow, careful training.”
Smart says that while there can be a stigma
around these horses being too hot or “spooky”,
each horse is unique. “I’ve seen some horses
where you’d have to dig up proof they were
ever a race horse, because they can seem lazy.”
­ — Kathy Sunberg
Part of the reason the breed can get a
negative reputation is because owners rush
that retraining. Standardbreds “aim to please”
but can be confused if retraining doesn’t
Strathmore, 2023.
Photo by
Mary Reimers
Photography
“For beginner-type owners, I always highly
recommend that they have someone help them
if they’re starting them under saddle, or even
beginning into driving. It’s better to have help.”
The key, she says, is slow, careful training.
She spends three to four months introducing
post-race horses to the saddle and getting
on them. Particularly if they’re younger, she
won’t ride them for long periods at first,
instead opting to drive or long line, while
doing postural work and both static and
dynamic exercise.
“I’ve done a lot of retraining over the last
30-odd years that we have run a placement
program, and I’ve changed my tactics
somewhat,” she says. “I’m also an equine body
worker, so I have now changed my theory on
what’s fairer to them.”
provide direction, resulting in inconsistent
pacing and trotting. “They’re so sensible,”
Sunberg says. “They’re one of the most
rewarding breeds to work with because they
try so hard. They have a wonderful work ethic.
You’re not going to have to worry about things
like manners. They have wonderful manners.”
While Sunberg is retired from her day
job and has time to spend on retraining, she
realizes not everyone is in that position. “We
don’t have a lot of people who train. That is
really one of my goals, to be able to get people
around the province with those skills. We do
have members who are quite capable of doing
it. It’s committing the time to do that.”
For thoroughbreds and quarter horses,
the retraining looks a little different, simply
because they’re transitioning from being
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Alberta Bits Winter 2025