McKenna Thoroughbreds
2 year old Conditioning
Over the past 5 years of racing New Mexico breds, we have
developed a
system of 2 year old conditioning.
Step 1. As yearlings the horses are started on a program of round
pen
work combined with increasing work in a European exerciser. Horses
are
worked both directions, clockwise and counterclockwise. They are
taught
to trailer load and to be trimmed by a farrier. This work is done at
our
Breeding, Training and Rehabilitation center in Taiban, New Mexico.
After 30 days of training, the horses return to our thoroughbred
ranch
in Tolar, New Mexico and are turned out into 100 plus acres pastures
to run
and play.
Step 2. After turning 2 years old, the horses are returned to our
breeding,
training and rehabilitation facility to complete their education in
the round
pen and European exerciser. This prepares them to be broken to ride.
Our method of breaking is very unique in the thoroughbred industry.
The
horses are broken “the Cowboy way” and taught the basics of reining
and
handling. The horses are ridden out in large pastures where they
learn to
change leads, go up and down hills and develop a handling and
behavior
pattern. They are superior in every way to horses broken on the
racetrack,
90% of which will not rein correctly and are ridden around the track
the
same direction each day for approximately 15 minutes every other
day.
Step 3. Upon completion of their breaking, they once again return to
the
breeding, training and rehabilitation facility for an increasing
regimen of
work on a daily basis for 30 more days. The introduction and use of
the
Astride training belt gets them accustomed to a saddle and girth
strap with
lead pellet weight sacks. We start with 40 pounds and increase the
amount
of weight over time to 80 or 100 pounds, depending on the horse.
Step 4. The 2 year olds go
directly to the actual race trace and are place in
the hands of our
trainer.
Here they are taught to work with other horses and acquire
their
race gate
certification which is required before entering their first race.