Hi Nikoletta,  Thanks for the feedback!  You have my respect because I know those OTTBs can be challenging.  Its good too know that someone is willing to take on the responsibility and give them a chance.  The 5 Principles For Effective Horsemanship go like this:

 Start quiet, end quiet.  Always start and end with a polite quiet demeanor so that the horse looks forward to seeing you next time.

Get the fresh off.  Make sure you let the horse move around enough so that all their excess energy is burned off before you try to teach them something.

Find the resistance.  Starting from the moment you begin the lesson, just address each issue you encounter as you find them.  In other words, forget your agenda and help the horse where he is that day.

Be willing to compromise.  Think of reaching your goals in a series of tiny successes, not huge breakthroughs.

Always quit on the try.  Quit for the day when you feel like he's really TRYING to figure out the lesson.  He'll try harder next time.

Hi Danae,  I think most horses benefit more from continued light work versus just turning them out to grow up.  Why lose that time?  That doesn't mean that they have to work super hard or progress on an ambitious schedule.  Just continue with the program at a light slow pace until she has grown up some.  Even if it's just grooming and saddling everyday.  Maybe let her stand tied with the saddle and snaffle bit on for a few hours everyday. Hope this helps!

Lucas G Truax Have you watched How To Get a Horse To Stop Digging?  It shows how I get them to stand quiet, it might help.  Richard

Hi Lucas, We'll make a video showing how to get started trotting circles. Basically, I start at a walk and build to the trot over the course of a week or so. I prefer to use short pulls and releases with the reins to encourage them to stay in the circle. Let your legs bounce against their side only using your inside leg to keep him from falling in to the circle. It also helps to pick a spot on the ground to go around so you don't end up going all over. Good luck!!

Hi Lucas,  I've never used a patience pole.  I can see where it would be helpful because it's a lot of work to teach one to stand tied quietly.  I don't know if the final result is as good or not, though. I like mine to stand as long as necessary without pacing or digging.  Does a patience pole achieve that?

Hi Danae,  I like to teach my horse an exercise that I know they can do at any time and that will relax them.  I use trotting tight circles.  I teach them to trot circles very early on and I do it every time I ride.  I want them to find comfort in the circle so I can use it to get control of their mind whenever I want.  At first, they won't understand, then they won't want to do it, and finally they will willingly do it and it will become a very effective tool.  Basically, I just trot them in a tight circle until they relax, then I let them walk out, spin, turn around, whatever.  The point is that they look for comfort and you give it to them.  Once you get them good in and enclosed area, you can use the technique outside to give them a familiar place to go mentally.  Does that make sense?

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Great story!  Thank you!

Hey Lucas, I wouldn't let River quit until he hasn't bucked for an hour or more. Don't make the mistake of treating a bronc like a colt. Keep us posted on your progress. Richard

Man, that can be a tough one. You can go a couple different ways, but my recommendation would be to work or flank that sucker and make him buck til he don't want no more. If he cripples himself, what have you lost? I bet he won't do any real damage, though. A horse like that doesn't have a very bright future, so I'd go as far as needed to get him over it. I'd flank him everyday and when he wants to quit, make him go some more and try to pull it all out. The important thing is you don't let him quit as long as he's bucking. I'd want 15 trips around the pen at a high lope with NO bucking before I let him quit. Good luck and stay safe!