ex-racehorse only jigs when in group or headed home

Question
Hi,
I have owned my TB almost 3 years.  We trail ride only and play "parelli" games on the ground.  He is a great trail horse, goes thru water, over fallen trees.  I ride in an custom made Austrailian Stock saddle of high quality. I use a "bitless bridle" and a tie-down presently, as BlakJak is a "head tosser".  If we ride alone or with 1-2 other he is OK.  When the group becomes more than (3) total, he starts to get real excited...side stepping, jigging, acting all keyed up and spooky over nothing.  The last time I rode alone, I felt as though I had to push him to get him to walk faster than a crawl.  Today just going past 3 other riders got him "cranked up".  I finally left the rider I went out with and took a different alone.  BlakJak immediately calmed down and became docile.  He whinnied a few times but was OK.  No other problems except when we start to get closer to the end of the ride, more excitement.  Lately, I've been jumping off and making him walk quietly behind me at MY pace, to try and let him know that "if you hurry it could take longer to get home."  I consider myself to be very experienced at training horses.  Owned them my whole life and I'm 45 yrs old.  This one has got me baffled.  Pulls the reins from me while jigging is really a pain.  I've ridden in bitless bridle for about 6 months, it works REAL well when he is calm, but not so well when he is keyed up.  I used to ride him in a full cheek copper snaffle...lots of pulling with that too.  I'm considering changing back to a bit and was wondering what you might suggest.  I know if I could get thru to his head "that racing days are over" he would be almost perfect.  He is a 16hh Black Beauty lookalike and a great grandson to the one and only Secretariat.  I just want him to know he has nothing to fear and no need to race ever again...also I rode him to a horse show and he seems unnerved by the loudspeaker noise from the announcer.  It was like he was having a flashback.  Perhaps I can play some old tapes in his stall??
Thank you for your time...I appreciate it..
Donna and BlakJak

Answer
hi donna  well remember that he was trained to have the excitement to race and was probably trained in groups of horses so he could get use to dirt in his face and bumping  close quarters in a race etc. and walking and jogging and galloping was a everyday affair to him at the race track. he will always sense the urge to run and race. when he is by himself, he then has no reason to run or race. a very easy bit on his mouth would be what i would suggest. no heavy or complicated bits. you can play music and tapes of races if you can get them. i always played music in my barn 24 hrs a day  soft music only. you can also look for a natural calmer  type additive for his food , when you are going to ride him with other horses. a content horse will be a happy horse.hope this helps you . thanks ED HESS