Thoroughbreds (TBs) are unfairly misrepresented as hot, unpredictable, triggered, and reactive. Can they become this way? Yes, however there are always reasons to why this occurs. For example: What is their environment like? What is the TB's prior training/riding/working experience? What kind of person owns or is working with the TB? Does the TB have any pain related issues? All are fair questions. TBs are in fact a sensitive breed, meaning they are more aware of what their environment is like and the people handling them. They are definite people pleasers, with hearts of gold, who don't want to do anything wrong or harmful, and take punishment to heart.
TBs will keep you honest, make you learn to ask and ride correctly, and are more aware of your mood, body, and actions. By being a sensitive breed your training, riding, and mistakes will always be exposed on a TB. They will let you know when your pressure is too much or too little and will give you the holy grail when you do something right. They make you learn to have a certain feel in your hands and body just by their reactions to what you ask. If we listen, we will hear what works for them and what doesn't. If you sea-saw their mouth, or beat the crap out of them they will have an unpleasant reaction, but wouldn't you? In today's world we have so many different training outlets that can help us with training our horses, we don't need to resort to overly harsh tactics to "get the job done". I do believe sometimes you have to make a firm point, but make your point and move on—don't sit there and keep nagging the horse. These horses thrive on ground work and daily exercise. They aren't the type of breed to sit in a stall 5 days a week then go on a leisure trail ride for the weekend. Imagine living in your bathroom all week, only able to get out on weekends. Wouldn’t you want to run and jump around? Well, that is how your TB feels!
I see posts all the time giving TBs the unfair stereotype of being crazy, out of control, or 'have a switch'. We just need to stop, take a good look, and listen to what the horse is trying to tell us before we proceed and give them wrong direction. If we come across an extra sensitive person or own a sensitive dog, we don't choose to not interact with that person or dog, but we change our approach to meet the needs of the sensitivity. Most of my experience has come from riding TBs on the racetrack. No one prepared me for that ahead of time, but spending hours on the backs of 10-12 TBs a day gave me the feel and education for the breed. I learned to be sensitive to their needs, quirks, and how to get the best out of them without fighting them or putting myself in harms way. Of all the years of riding lessons I’ve taken, most of my valuable riding knowledge was experienced and learned by the racing TB themselves. They are, in fact, the best teachers. We’re very lucky that horses tolerate us riding them along with the living conditions that aren't ideal for most horses. It's not a bad thing to take the time to learn to ride them correctly and efficiently.
Yet, I do agree TBs are not for everyone. They aren't for the people who are unwilling to change their ways or unwilling to learn. Those type of people have a narrow way of thinking and should not own or work with a TB. Therefore, take a moment, breathe deep, and figure out where the pieces to the puzzle go.