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Funnee Thoroughbred Makeover Pangal aftercare OTTB retired racehorse foxhunting discipline field hunting dressage

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Foxhunting for Beginners

A lot has happened in the past month, as Funnee and I continue to plug away at our training and prepare for the Thoroughbred Makeover. All of this year’s Makeover trainers were required to lock in their discipline choices in early August. For those unfamiliar with the competition, all trainers are able to choose a primary discipline to focus on with their horses. Riders may add a second discipline if they so choose.

Hanneman Dom OTTB catering dressage Thoroughbred Makeover retired racehorse Wisconsin aftercare

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: How Much We’ve Accomplished, More Memories to Make

I frequently get asked by my friends and family about how Dom is doing and how he is coming along, and normally, throughout this process I have been able to give detailed answers and describe all of the things we have been working on and any of Dom’s silly antics. But this past month hasn’t been the same.

I have been so busy with other aspects of my life that I haven’t had the time I was hoping to spend with Dom. So, I’ve done a lot of thinking about how far Dom and I have come since we started this journey together.

Meghan McNamara Bronn gelding OTTB retired racehorse Thoroughbred Makeover eventing aftercare competition riding equestrian

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Always Grateful for the Little Things

It’s the little things.

His tiny squeal when he is concerned. His lower lip hanging so low when he is relaxed or sleeping, you can land an airplane. His little hind leg cow kick when he is protesting or nervous. His whinny that is so high pitched when he is calling to his friends, you’d never believe it was coming from a 17-hand, 1500-pound gelding. His pricked ears and deep, thoughtful eyes when he is focused on you or ready for whatever is on hand.

oldie Morgan Hayden OTTB ex-racehorse retired racehorse aftercare Thoroughbred Makeover chiropractic Pulse PEMF training farrier riding horse

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: The Horses Need ‘Me’ Days Too

When we take a seat back and think about why we make the decision to ride, retrain, or even own horses the answer always seems to come back to reasons around ourselves. We own them for happiness, companionship, fitness, engaging in a hobby, or even as a profession to support our livelihood. When we spend time with our horses, most of us, myself included, see it more as a “me” day or even just that piece of time that we can treat ourselves to what we love the most.

Dom Jessica Hanneman Thoroughbred Makeover Diary eventing dressage obstacles OTTB ex-racehorse retired racehorse aftercare trail class

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Earning a Ribbon in Trail Class, More Valuable Experiences with Dom

With only a little over three months left until the Thoroughbred Makeover, Dom and I are on a cycle of ride/train, eat, sleep, work, repeat. We continue our dressage lessons, work on the canter, try to get more of a right bend in every gait, and do more sitting trot work. But there are only so many times I can go around in a circle, cross a diagonal, make a serpentine, or go down the center or quarter line before we get antsy and are ready for something new!

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