Conference noted::equitation

139.0. "Retrain a Saddleseat Horse for Huntseat?" by STAR::NAMOGLU () Fri Nov 07 1986 10:58

    I had a comment on the question in this note, but didn't want to
    clutter up the introduction with miscellaneous discussions, so I
    moved the note.  I hope the author does not mind.
    
    
                 <<< DELNI::WORK$01:[NOTES$LIBRARY]EQUITATION.NOTE;1 >>>
                      -< - Equitation Notes Conference - >-
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Note 1.34                         Introduction                          34 of 35
TRNING::PJOHNSON                                     13 lines   6-NOV-1986 16:39
                               -< A Saddlebred >-
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    Hi!  I live in Lilburn, GA, which is just NE of Atlanta.  We own
    a saddlebred mare, which we board at Cross Creek Stables in
    Lithonia, GA.  My interest is primarily in showing this delightful
    beast.  Partly because I like being around horse people, but mostly
    because I enjoy working with horses.
    
    We have a running battle in our family, in that my daughter likes
    to show saddleseat, but I am determined to get involved in the
    huntseat world.  She goes off to college next year, so I will win
    out in the end..  Question: does anyone know whether saddlebreds
    can be trained (successfully) to huntseat?
                    
    			=paul johnson=
    
    
    
                    

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    
    >  Question: does anyone know whether saddlebreds
    >can be trained (successfully) to huntseat?
                    
     
    I know of a case were a saddlebred, who had been shown for years
    on the circuit was successfully retrained to ride huntseat.  This
    particular horse did not really have the conformation or action
    to do well in the saddlseat world, but since he was bred in a
    saddleseat stable he was turned into a saddleseat horse.  It has
    taken probably 3-4 years of training to teach him to drop his head
    and relax.  But the result is a beautiful huntseat animal.  The
    horse is about 12 years old now and was probably show saddleseat
    for 6-8 years.  He LOVES to go trail riding and is a real joy to
    ride.   But, it did take alot of time to "convert" him.  When pushed, 
    he will revert back to his old habits, of the high head...,but that 
    is to be expected.  I don't think that he has worked over any jumps, 
    but I believe that it could be a potential direction.
    
    

    I wouldn't rule it out, it doesn't matter on the breed of the horse
    as to what style of riding you want to do.  You could teach the
    horse to go western and barrel race if you really wanted to.  It
    will take a lot of patience and work, and you're probably better
    off finding a good instructor who is willing to work with you and
    your horse slowly.  You need to find out his bad habits and do a
    lot of trail riding to get his mind off the show ring - you want
    to get him to relax.  
    
    Some questions:
    
    - what type of bit do you use on him now?
    - How responsive is he to your legs and hands?
    - How does he react to a whip or crop?
    - Has he been longed at all?
    - What is his temperment like - quiet, hyper etc.?
    - What is his natural head carriage when he is free in the paddock?
    - Was the horse trained from the beginning for saddle seat?
    
    Your biggest goal with this horse is to get him to stretch his head
    and neck down and out.  You will do a lot of riding on a loose rein
    to encourage this, and the longe work with side reins will help.
    You will also need to get him to balance himself on turns and circles,
    by using his hindquarters, but it will all come in time.
    
    Good luck,
    Julie