ANSWER:
If the previous training has been done systematically and carefully, a
Thoroughbred should be able to learn airs above the ground and other high
school movements as well. They are not limited to baroque horses. The terre
a terre and the redopp in particular are canter related movements, and since
most Thoroughbreds have a special affinity for the canter, they might even
show a special talent for these movements.
The horse needs a certain inner fire for advanced movements. A phlegmatic,
lazy horse is unlikely to become a high school horse. Thoroughbreds, on the
other hand, tend to be hot enough. The biggest limiting factor that holds
many thoroughbreds back is their racetrack past, which leaves them with so
much physical and psychological baggage that it is often much more difficult
and time consuming to train them than other horses, who did not go through
the hugely traumatic experiences of the race track. But if they are mentally
and physically sound, they can be very good, very enjoyable horses.
- Thomas Ritter
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Last Update: January 13, 2007