Unharness the Potential (Realistically)

Unharness the potential! Raise your standards! Change the stigma!

These are all catch phrases used passionately to advocate for Standardbreds in equestrian disciplines off the track. Those that have standardbreds love them, and we know the harsh stereotypes that these wonderful horses face to be exaggerated and unfair. An increasing number of off-the-track standardbred advocates have been coming forward recently, speaking openly and proudly of their own talented horses who have seen success in a variety of sports, while encouraging others to ignore the myths and give these misunderstood horses a chance. And, slowly, one horse at a time, it seems to be working.

Charlie at the Concours Equi-D, in his first show jumping class. 

Photo credit: Tom von Kapherr and Gabrièle Roy Photography

And that is truly wonderful.

But. There is always a "but".

Those of us with standardbreds, those of us who know them for what they are, are so passionate about them. It's difficult not to think and act solely with emotion when we hear some of the ignorant comments and questions that we do about our horses: "he's pretty, for a standardbred", "what do you mean you ride your standardbred?", "does he canter?" or "does he jump?" or even "does he trot?" being just a few of the most common and most ridiculous. We take our horses places and show off their brands proudly, answering "yes, he is", with an ever-so-slightly cocky smile, to the question "wait, is your horse a standardbred?" until we become known as "the girl (or guy) with the standardbred". And we wear that label with confidence and honour and pride. But - and here it is - in matters where there is such passion involved, it is important to execute a certain amount of caution, so as not to overpower other important aspects of the issue at hand, such as logic and reason. Passion is wonderful, and necessary, and it is where many great movements start, but as these movements start to gain momentum, we must take a moment to step back and look at the object of our passion without rose-coloured glasses.

Our third round (of three) at the Concours Equi-D, our first show jumping show. It took us three rounds to go (double) clear - and that's absolutely okay.

Thinking logically about our passion is absolutely crucial. If we want our "movement", for simplicity's sake, to continue to gain ground, it must also gain - and maintain - credibility. And if we want credibility, we must be realistic. In this movement of ours - to change the stigma that exists against standardbreds in non-racing sports - we have to think about the most effective, most efficient, and most plausible way to convince nay-(neigh?-)sayers that we are not just up on our soapbox, crying about our plight to Save the Standardbreds(!) from the horrible, unjust world of equine stereotypes and politics. There is already enough of that amongst equestrians that isn't taken seriously. We have to show that there is substance to what we are saying.

I'm not going to sit here, from behind my computer screen, having owned a grand total of 2 horses - only 1 of which a standardbred - and tell you that standardbreds are the best horses in the world. I'm not going to tell you that if you get a standardbred, your horse will be easy to trailer, and brave, and patient, and a pro at handling stressful situations, and, and, and, just because he's a standardbred. That's simply not realistic. Quite frankly, if I had been told these things about standardbreds, and thus had been expecting them, I would have been severely disappointed in Charlie.  I will, however, tell you my own version of the truth about my own standardbred, and let you form your own opinions about whether a standardbred is right for you - and, at the very least, open your mind to the possibility that they do have the potential to be something other than harness horses.

Where we started, two years ago.

Photo credit: Franziska Laue.

Speaking out about and broadcasting how wonderful standardbreds are, saying that they should be given a chance off the track, is great - truly, it is. But, there's the potential to do their reputation more harm than good if they find their way into the hands of the wrong people. By the "wrong hands", I do not mean abusive owners or bad homes (although of course that applies); I mean, more specifically, people that, despite what may be the best intentions, aren't willing, or able, to provide them the support that they need to be successful in their second careers. For that very reason, you won't ever hear me make a sweeping statement like, "Make YOUR next horse a standardbred!". That kind of attitude can do more to promote stereotypes than combat them. The "wrong person" is the university equine sciences professor I had who taught, as part of his curriculum, that standardbreds are entirely useless for anything other than pulling a sulky on the track, because he had one once that, supposedly, wasn't even good enough to be a pack horse. The "wrong person" is also the coach who wouldn't let a girl ride her standardbred in pony club because she said that standardbreds, in general, are too dangerous.

While I would never want to discourage the right person from getting a standardbred as a sport horse, the simple truth of the matter is that these horses are not, by any means, for "just anyone". Please don't misinterpret my meaning, here; I do not mean that only those with exceptional horsemanship can be successful with a standardbred. That could not be farther from what I mean. I mean - and this is vital - that in order to be "successful" in the quintessential meaning of the word, all the pieces of the puzzle truly have to be firmly in place.

The individual who is doing the riding and training has to be entirely committed to the horse: committed to bonding, in and out of the saddle, and dedicated to training, no matter how long it may take to grasp a "simple" concept, such as rhythm or relaxation. Standardbreds are athletic, and talented, and are more than capable of becoming excellent riding horses, and yes, even sport horses, but we have to appreciate that they are built, and trained on the track, differently than any other horse. Even compared to other horses whose "intended" purpose was not riding - off the track thoroughbreds, for example - it can take a standardbred longer to understand basic principles of riding, and this can be discouraging. Standardbreds are not a horse you can realistically expect to be ready for the show ring, for example, in a matter of a couple months (although, of course, you may be pleasantly surprised). And, let's not forget, the success of any given standardbred in disciplines off the track is just as individual as their success on the track - just as the success of any horse in any discipline is individual.

Be patient with your standardbred. Be realistic with your expectations and appreciate what they give you. 

Photo credit: Tom von Kapherr and Gabrièle Roy Photography

Further to that, but absolutely just as critical, the other people involved in the horse's life - the owner's/rider's coach, their family and friends, even the barn staff - have to, at the very least, be entirely supportive of the rider in their pursuit of riding/training/competing a non-traditional sport horse. This doesn't mean they have to understand why the rider has chosen a standardbred, or even that they have to believe in the horse's abilities, but it does mean that they cannot let their own opinions about off the track standardbreds get in the way of the rider's ambitions. Hearing "why don't you just get a nicer horse?" or "you paid HOW MUCH to ship a STANDARDBRED across the country?" enough times from important people in a person's life can detrimentally affect the rider's attitude towards their horse, whether they realize it or not. And, from my own experience, I can say with absolute certainty that a coach's attitude towards a student riding a standardbred is a huge factor in the progression and development of that particular horse/rider team. If the coach thinks it's a waste of time to try and train a standardbred, it will be; but, even if the coach isn't entirely convinced, being positive and treating that horse/rider team like any other can make the world of difference. Once again, this can be said about any coach's attitude towards their students, regardless of the horse. Support from "the top" is crucial.

A supportive coach is another important piece of the puzzle. 

So, what I mean to say in all of this - yes, please unharness the potential. Go out there and raise your standards and change the stigma. It's time for that to be done. But do so realistically.