Send us a text In most of the episode we have had with our lovely and fascinating guests , the most common re occurring theme with what advice would be given with these horses is; Time But what exactly does this mean and look like? How can we see time as a friend and how do we navigate, the possibly daunting timescale of what people describe when retraining an exracehorse? Support the show

Send us a text In this episode we get to talk to the brilliant Vicky Leonard who tells us about the new Thoroughbred. Week in Australia and New Zealand. Vicky is truly passionate about the racing scene as a whole (including after care) and her thoughts, knowledge and insight into the global world of Racing is incredible and something I wish to aspire to. This conversation has EVERYTHING! Talking about transparency in racing, aftercare programmes, thoughts and discussions around sensitiv...

Send us a text First Fandango better known as Fred, ran 50 times for trainer Tim Vaughan. He ran both on the flat and over the fences and since leaving racing has turned his hoof to being not only a fantastic jumper/eventer, but also a brilliant dressage and shoe horse, showing the true adaptability of the former racehorse This year alone, Fred and Hannah have achieved many wins/titles in every discipline and I really wanted to know the journey that these two have been on, intend to carry o...

Send us a text Greatwood Charity was the first charity to use former racehorses to educate disadvantaged children and young adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Emotional wellbeing, mindfulness and inclusion are at the heart of all of Greatwood’s educational programmes. Not only do Greatwood offer many educational and supportive services, they also rehome and retrain former racehorses. In this conversation with Sasch Thorbek (their Chief Operating officer) we talk thro...

Send us a text For some, August can be the toughest month. You're probably thinking 'why? we have longer days, weather is great and we also have holidays.'........ We have also been at the RoR National Championships, BD regionals and had National racehorse Week, so what isn’t to love about August? Louise instagram: @thoroughbred_dressage Facebook: Thoroughbred Dressage Website: www.thoroughbreddressage.com Support the show

Send us a text Jodie Harvey jones is nothing but a ball of high energy, with so much; love, compassion and enthusiasm surrounding her former racehorse Harry. In this episode we talk about how she found Harry and the journey that she has been on with him, whilst being part of some seriously cool social media projects. I wanted to know what its like documenting her entire journey for the world to see, the possible stumbles that she has come across in her retraining journey, her approach to ce...

Send us a text Nicola and Frog's retraining journey is nothing short of remarkable, interesting and so relatable. To say they have had an 'interesting' journey' would be a ver big understatement, but what is most important, and interesting is that Nic has not only learnt stuff about her left, but also how Frog, as a horse, responds, and how to find the way forward in all scenarios. We talk about; kissing spine surgery, confidence with; hacking, long reining, venturing out for the first time...

Send us a text We, horses and humans are asymmetric. How we deal/train and develop these asymmetries to become the 'best version' of straightness that we can find, is a bit of a minefield. With our former racehorses they predominantly run in one direction and have their own version of 'in the middle' or 'straight.' How do we approach these asymmetries, and what as riders should we do to help find 'the middle' Louise instagram: @thoroughbred_dressage Facebook: Thoroughbred Dressa...

Send us a text The Retraining of Racehorses Charity has been established for 25 years. In that 25 years the numbers of members has exploded and grown year after year. I want to make it SUPER CLEAR that this is not an interview as a 'promotional piece.' It's a conversation that I asked to happen to be able to create a better understanding of the depth of work and support that the RoR do and put in to be able to support all members and safe guard these horses post racing. The volume of su...

Send us a text I do struggle when I hear phrases such as; "I want to ride at Grand Prix' (whether that is dressage or SJ) 'I am looking to get a former racehorse and I would like to ride at Grand Prix one day' It's not because I don't want people to dream, or aim high, its because of, not only the conformation of our former racehorses, but also their brain and their ability to do the 'higher level' work, whilst keeping the brain active, yet relaxed. In this episode I bring some of my ...

Send us a text Stable Recovery is a facility in Lexington Kentucky that is changing peoples lives for the better with the help/use of thoroughbreds. In this episode I talk to Christian Countzler, who is BEYOND passionate about the work they do at Stable Recovery and how, with the Power of the horse, they are able to help change lives At Stable Recovery, their mission is to provide a safe and stable living environment for men in early recovery. They are a peer-driven therapeutic community with...

Send us a text In this episode we delve into the phrase that is used in a negative way its because they’re a former racehorse’. I HATE hearing this phrase when people are competing/training as a reason to ‘why’ the horse isn’t able/couldn’t possible do whatever it is that you’re looking to ’ask’ them to do/achieve. So how can we reframe this ? Finding members of your home team can also be a daunting task, and trying to work out which are the best members/who can you trust in a world...

Send us a text The term ‘one and low’ is used ALOT, but what exactly does it mean? What does it look like? Should we be doing it with our former racehorses, in all three paces, under saddle and groundwork?? We need to work on; suppleness, stretching core activation, engagement, swing and ‘working uphill’, but how do we achieve this on our downhill former racehorses? Is there such a thing as ‘too low?’ Please share your thoughts about this episode Support the show

Send us a text King Erik’s racing career was cut short when injury (a slipped tendon off his hock) meant that his days of cantering and jumping on the racetrack was to be no more. Having found his home with the Boyles’ in County Dunham, Erik is a fully fledged member of the household, who has not only been Pauls best man at their wedding, but is also now a park Ranger, who patrols a 135acre park in County Dunham deterring illegal activity. This episode will (hopefully) have you laughing at ...

Send us a text I had the pleasure of meeting Muireann through Instagram a few years back now as she reached out and asked about retraining former racehorses and if I would ever consider coming over to Ireland to teach. I joined her for an Instagram Live where we talked all about retraining racehorses, and I knew straight away that she was nothing bar brilliant. Fast forward 6 months and we met in person when I went to Ireland to teach for The Eile and I saw what Muireann and her team ...

Send us a text One of the most common questions I get asked/I see across social media channels is: Which Bit would you Recommend? In this episode I look into different approaches and understanding to improving and developing the contact in our former racehorses. Please do listen, share and enjoy and if you'd like to learn more we have a webinar coming up on Thursday 15th April about finding confidence in the contact. Booking link below RoR Webinar 15th April booking link: http...

Send us a text I first heard about Lesley and Second Brook, better known as Seb, when they were nominated for the RoR Horse of the Year 2025. I was BLOWN AWAY by their story and their journey together. Registered as a blind rider, Lesley and Seb have competed and won at RDA level and their journey together and the highs and lows are not only relatable, but inspirational . Lesley is so honest in this conversation and I love the way she approaches her training, management and development ...

Send us a text So what does ‘pressure’ look like to your ex racehorse? The word ‘pressure’ can seem to have a negative connotation surrounding it. Pressure can come in the form of pressure from the leg, pressure from the seat, pressure from one side, pressure from the bit, pressure of the environment they are in. In their first career your ex racehorse isnt used to the ‘pressures’ of the rider being ‘sat on them’ and having themselves, as a horse, to balance the rider. Work riders only really...

Send us a text Sam Dracott is one of the ‘original’ farriers of social media. Having now 4 million followers on Tiktok with 61.5million likes, along with 296k followers on Instagram, but who exactly is he? Sam works closely with Great British Racing and was recently at the RoR awards held at Cheltenham Racecourse earlier this year, but what is his connection to racehorses/former racehorses? This episode is full of insights into understanding the Thoroughbred, how they move, what...

Send us a text Pam and Kevin Atkinson formed New Beginnings Retraining Centre in 2010. Based in the North of the UK, they started off with the main focus of retraining and rehoming former racehorses, but as they’ve grown they still continue their fabulous work in retraining and rehoming, but have expanded to working within the community and are due to open their new Education Centre later this year Pam and Kevin are nothing short of inspirational and have been ‘ahead of the curve’ in terms ...