From Racehorse to Riding Horse: The Reboot Course

Reset the Mind. Rebuild the Body. Create the Partnership.

Racehorse to Riding Horse - the Off the Track Reboot is an 8-week step-by-step course and training program to help Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds thrive beyond the track.

Racehorses are trained to do a very specific job — and to succeed in their new lives, we must first un-train the racehorse and build the riding horse. This course and program shows you exactly how to do that with confidence and clarity.

Image: Dash, 10 year old Thoroughbred. Had been unsuccessfully re-homed 3 times and had been labelled "dangerous". Watch him transform through the reboot program.

Pricing options

Access the full course for $349 upfront and save — or get started today with a payment plan of $97.50/month for 4 months.

What You Will Learn

You’ll learn how to:

  • Understand the unique mindset and conditioning of the off-the-track horse
  • Calmly reprogram behaviours that don’t serve them in ridden life
  • Develop focus, relaxation, and responsiveness from the ground up
  • Build strength, balance, and skills needed for as a foundation for any discipline from trail riding to competition
  • Identify early red flags in behaviour or soundness that may otherwise go unnoticed
  • Tap into their natural willingness and impressive athleticism — without overwhelm or confusion

Image: There is no greater feeling that helping a horse become confident and trusting.

What Is Included

The course includes:

  • A complete, strategic training program for groundwork and riding
  • Specialist guidance on breed traits, retraining challenges, and management
  • Supportive community forum and access to expert help from Dr Shelley Appleton & Isabelle Chandler
  • Bonus resources like float and trailering training


This course and program gives you the tools to help your off-the-track horse become a calm, confident, and capable riding partner — guided at a pace that suits the individual horse.

Image: You can access the course materials and community forum from the Calm Willing Confident Horse App that can be downloaded for free from your App Store or Google Play.


Why This Course is Important

Retired racehorses are misunderstood

Retired racehorses aren’t difficult—they’ve just been trained for a job most people don’t fully understand. Whether your horse retired recently or years ago, the Racehorse to Riding Horse Course helps you rebuild from the ground up. This course gives you clear guidance, structure, and support to help your off-the-track Thoroughbred or Standardbred succeed in their new life.
Enrol & Help These Horses

Course Founders & Contributors

This course and program is a unique collaboration between Dr Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses, Isabelle Chandler of Fusion Equine Bodywork and a special contribution from veterinarian Dr Jodie Gossage.

Isabelle Chandler

Isabelle Chandler of Fusion Equine Bodywork brings deep industry knowledge from years of working with Thoroughbreds. Specialising in equine bodywork, Isabelle treats performance horses with a focus on the unique physical and emotional needs of racehorses. She is also involved in off-the-track rehoming and is passionate about bridging the gap in understanding that often prevents these horses from thriving in new homes.

Dr Shelley Appleton

Dr Shelley Appleton is the founder of Calm Willing Confident Horses, a published author, experienced coach, and co-host of the Canter Therapy Podcast. With a PhD in Human Learning, Shelley is renowned for her ability to help people understand, train, and problem-solve with horses. Her signature teaching model, the Complete Reboot System, has empowered countless owners to build calm, willing, confident horses through strategic, compassionate training. It is this program that has been specifically adapted and enhanced specifically for off the track horses.

Dr Jodie Gossage

Dr Jodie Gossage is a veterinarian and Standardbred breeder with active involvement in both the racing industry and the rehoming of retired Standardbred horses. We are grateful for her generous contribution to the production of this course.

Our Shared Mission

Together, Shelley and Isabelle share a passion for cracking the code on what these remarkable horses truly need to succeed after racing. With too much misunderstanding surrounding the racing industry and the specific training of these breeds, their collaboration fills a vital gap—offering a program and community that supports horses and humans alike. The Off-the-Track Reboot acknowledges the unique backgrounds of Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, delivering the clarity, strategy, and support needed to create real change in rehoming success.
Join Our Mission

Racehorse Reboot 4 Week Groundwork Intensive Event

17 January - 13 February

Give yourself and your off-the-track Thoroughbred or Standardbred a genuine head start by joining the Racehorse Reboot Groundwork Intensive, running from 17 January to 13 February 2026.

This four-week intensive takes place inside the Racehorse Reboot Community Forum and is designed to provide structure, motivation, and real support as you work through the early stages of retraining.

If you have ever felt unsure, stuck, or isolated when retraining an off-the-track horse, this event is for you.

You will be supported through:

  • Weekly live Zoom calls to clarify the focus for each week and answer questions
  • Clear guidance on what to work on and why
  • Rapid feedback on your video submissions
  • The opportunity to learn by watching other participants progress and problem-solve with their horses

With four focused weeks and strong accountability, you will be surprised by how much progress is possible when the work is structured and supported.

By the end of the intensive, the goal is to have a horse that is in a solid place physically, mentally, and emotionally, ready to begin under-saddle retraining.

Open to off-the-track Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds.

Enrol now to get started early and work through the preparatory information that supports these horses before retraining begins.

Extra Resources Included

Here are all the products that are included in your bundle.

Pricing options

Access the full course for $349 upfront and save — or get started today with a payment plan of $97.50/month for 4 months.