Training the racing Standardbred to become a pleasure riding horse or a competitive endurance, dressage or hunter type horse is possible with just a few basic training techniques. Since most Standardbreds are first taught and trained as harness racers, they will need to become comfortable with the ideal of having a saddle and rider on their backs, as well as learn how to move from the trot or pace into the canter. It is important to keep in mind that these racing Standardbreds have been taught never to break out of the trot or pace into a canter or gallop, so gradual retraining is key to help the horse understand that you are asking him or her to forget everything they have learned about movement.
Training the Standardbred as a saddle horse from a harness horse is not recommended for someone that is new to working with horses. If at all possible an experience trainer that has worked with converting a racing Standardbred to a riding Standardbred should be consulted and may even be able to help move the process along. Keep in mind that all Standardbred foals when born will use all normal horse gaits including the walk, trot, pace, canter and gallop, so all that has to happen is for the horse to realize he or she is free to use these gaits when under a human's control. Typically a Standardbred that will canter or gallop in the pasture with other horses is much easier to train to canter under saddle than a Standardbred that never breaks out of the pace or trot even when running free.
The first step in training the Standardbred to extend into the canter is to avoid simply forcing the horse to move at a faster pace. To the racing Standardbred the fastest, most comfortable and effective gait is the pace or trot, so the trainer has to focus on controlling the horse more rather than just asking for more speed. Start by ensuring that the horse is well under control and is responding well to aids given by the rider. This means the horse should be able to halt, walk and trot or pace when asked to do so by the rider using the legs and body shifts. Once the horse is well under control when under the saddle, start by having them walk in a collected manner, well controlled and balanced. Move into the collected trot and post with the inside leg. Obviously if you are using an English riding style this will be an easier task as you will have a slightly greater "feel" for the movement of the horse. When the horse is moving the outside hind leg, slightly move your weight to that side and sit down which will cause the temporary suspension of the leg in movement as the horse rebalances. This typically is the first stride in the canter, which is not the same as the trot or pace. The horse may try to recover and revert to the pace, but repeat the process until the horse understands that this is what you want.
Remember it will be confusing for the horse and any little stride difference should be praised and rewarded. The longer the Standardbred has been on the track the longer it will take to relearn their canter gait.
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