When I heard Kauto Star was to give a
dressage display at the International Horse Show at Olympia, I was
preparing to do a cosy-Christmas post along the lines of “How
lovely to see Kauto enjoying his new life as a retrained racehorse”
- etc. But, oh deary-dear, it all went spoggly, didn't it?
Kauto gave a grizzly-grumpy, reluctant
display, and then his embarrassed pilot, Laura Collet – apparently
unsure how to deal with the situation both during and after –
compounded the mess-up by giving some very ill-judged comments to the
media.
“Ex-racehorse fluffs big outing” is
not exactly headline news. As all ex-racer people know, it happens
all the time, almost routinely. But this was the legendary Kauto
Star, over whom half the horsey world has protective owner-like
instincts. And so, a real brew-ha-has erupted on the social media.
Was Kauto Star suffering 'stage fright' – or had he been sedated
for the occasion? Was he nervous, or physically uncomfortable? Is he
making a slow but steady transformation from racehorse to riding
horse, or is he being asked to do something he can't, or shouldn't?
Is he being treated with his due respect? Or is he being used 'for
publicity purposes? ( And if so – what's wrong with that?) Is he
loved and cherished enough? Should he have been placed with Laura
Collett at all, or with someone else, doing something entirely
different?
By the following evening, Retraining of
Racehorses had felt it necessary to issue a statement trying to
explain and calm the situation, and national newspapers and TV had
run with the story. Poor Laura Collet probably wishes heartily she
had not agreed to go to this particular Christmas Party. ( Well,
we've all had moments like that!)
But, oh, come on! Kauto Star is fine.
Hundreds of ex-racehorses are neglected, abused, put down or turned
into dog-meat every year, through lack of knowledgeable people
willing to take them on and give them a chance. So, please, don't
feel sorry for Kauto Star. He has the best of care, with
money-no-object, a caring and responsible owner, a sensitive and
talented rider, and a legion of devoted fans to watch over his
welfare and progress. His lifestyle will evolve, as it does for any
horse, but he'll be ok, whatever he does.
Embarrassing as the episode was – and
probably remains – for Kauto's connections (and most ex-racehorse
owners know the feeling oh-so-well! ) it has some good lessons to
offer.
- Taking your ex-racehorse to an outing, big or small, ( even long after they've left racing) is like watching your child in the school Nativity Play; he could be adorable, and make you flush with pride – or he could do something totally inappropriate ( if hilarious to everyone else) that makes you curl up and cringe. That's the way it is, folks. Get over it.
- Ex-racehorses are like intelligent 5-year-old children ( with whom they have a lot in common!) They are irrationally sensitive, easily get bored, are frightened by silly little things, and can become unco-operative for no discernible reason. Thinking ahead can avoid some of this. Being ready to adapt quickly also helps. Worrying about it rarely does.
- Retraining a racehorse is a bit like getting married – it's a life-long work-in-progress, trying to 'change' your spouse and get rid of all their now-unacceptable habits. But of course, it only ever works up to a point. Habits can be changed, to some extent, with time and (long-suffering) patience. But basic character will always stay the same. You can't expect miracles! (And if you got one, you wouldn't be left with the horse/man/woman you first fell in love with!)
- These days many people have successful serial careers, and so do horses. But expecting serial stellar careers might be asking a bit much. Few people, or horses, can be world-beaters at more than one thing. The characteristics and skills that made Kauto Star such a brilliant racehorse may not be easily transferable to another discipline, so no-one should be expecting him to get an Olympic Gold in dressage. Conversely, a 'failed' racehorse – perhaps too slow, too laid-back – may be just the right type to excel at dressage, or long-distance rides, or whatever. Retraining a racehorse is a journey of discovery, to find what he enjoys and can become good at. Keeping expectations modest, at least to begin with, avoids disappointment and may lead to very pleasing surprises.
- Learn to laugh at yourself, and your horse. It helps – and looks a lot better in public than getting cross. After all, everyone else will be laughing – you might as well join in and enjoy it.
(Count once decked me in the middle of
the show-ring, snorting and bucking after a mare. It was at a Riding
for the Disabled show – and none of those riders fell off. I felt a
total idiot. The name of the class? - “Ideal Partners” Ha-Ha!
Funnily enough, we didn't win...)
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