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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

1272.0. "Help Needed in Breaking Horses In" by MSBEAR::BAER () Tue May 22 1990 17:31

    A little introduction:  My name is Brenda Baer and I live in Harvard.
    I use to ride up until I went to college when my father sold my horse.
    I've had many classes and also participated in shows, english and 
    western and jumping.  I finally found someone who needs his horses
    exercised, 4 of them.
    
    Problem is: 3 out of the 4 have never been riden before.  1 has 
    pulled a cart, but the other two have had nothing besides a halter on
    them.
    
    I need a little help in what are the steps in breaking horses for 
    riding, english or western, whether that matters or not.  I've been
    there for a couple of weeks now, I lunge the horse that has been
    driven, he doesn't do to bad, but the other two I haven't started on
    them yet.  I've put a bridle in two of them with no problem, one of
    them, a big thoroughbred (not sure of any of their breeds) is going
    to be tough, I think.
    
    But, anyway, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some steps
    to go by and some hints/tips.
    
    They all have a great personality, they are just so overwhelmed now,
    that they are finally getting some attention.
    
    If anyone can help, please send me mail at:
    MSBEAR::BAER or
    dtn 223-5823
    
    Thanks
    
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1272.1Try a book.DISCVR::HERRONTue May 22 1990 21:489
    A good book you might want to get is called BREAKING AND TRAINING
    THE STOCK HORSE by Charles o. Willamson. It is an excellent book that 
    starts you off by teaching them to lead thru some fancy dressage work.
    
    I have trained three horses from weanlings by using his methods.
    Even on older horses that need to be tuned up.
    
    Hope it might help,
    Robin
1272.3secondedCARTUN::MISTOVICHThu Jun 07 1990 18:273
    I agree with .2.  The early training your horse receives, and any
    mistakes that come with it will follow him/her for life.  Work with a
    pro.
1272.4A possible resource.LEDS::HORSEYWed Jun 13 1990 20:307
    You may want to get in touch with my daughter.  She has trained a
    number of green horses, including breaking and training her 5-year old
    TB/Warmblood mare. She has a 2-year old TB/Trakehner and a 2-year old
    hackney pony she is bringing along now, also.  She teaches english
    riding and dressage and trains horses for a living.  Her name is
    Katharine Horsey, Upton, MA 01568.   She is not connected with DEC.
    Her phone is 508-529-6148.
1272.5 I hope to have this guy showing before fall!XCUSME::MATTHEWSMon Jun 10 1991 23:4136
    
    
    ok.. well i have started two horses now (its been about 1.5 months)
    
    one is just lerning to be around people ,etc teaching mannners
    etc...
    
    but here is my situation.. I have a colt that i have started lunging,
    it have him going both ways, he knows WHOA, I have a bit in his mouth
    and I have saddled him up, hes been lunged with it and I have also
    bitted him up with the saddle on ( set his head) and I have ridden him
    twice, he is going off my leg cues combined with the direct rein,
    however his steering is horrible... 
    
    what is the best way to teach them to steer, go turn i should say..
    I dont want to really use the rail because it pushes him in tooo quick.
    I have thought of going back to lunging him and getting him to give to
    the side that is tied to the stuirrup (this still give him release) 
    but somehow i dont think that will to it becuase he will be having me 
    pulling him in from time to time from the lunge line... 
    
    Anyone have any ideas?? As you can see this colt is smart ... :*}
    hes got a wickked good tude (i havent gotten into a fight with him, so
    he doesnt test me at all ).............
    
    (i'm just using an eggbut snaffle) i'm wondering if a bosal would be
    better.. although i hate em' ;*)
    
    he doesnt seem to be real heavy on my hands, just doesnt have a clue
    :*)  and has a great head set on him and will go forward willingly and
    smooth as silk..
    
    
    wendy o'
    
    
1272.6Add different figures to the work.GENRAL::LEECHNEVER assume anything.Tue Jun 11 1991 03:3524
    
    
    What I usually do at this stage when starting a greenie is a lot of
    figures with an exagerated opening direct rein combined with lots of
    leg to get them to start to bend and turn. Very large figure 8's, 
    sepentines, circles and squares are all very good at getting them to 
    develope the muscles they need to keep their balance under saddle. 
    
    
    The biggest problem that young horses have when they are started under
    saddle is that they are not very good at balancing themselves and the
    rider when they are asked to turn and manuver.  Most of this is because
    they have to develope an entirerly new set of muscles to cope with the
    problem.  I would not rush him/her at this point as you could cause
    major problems with both his body and his mind. 
    
    I would work him a little bit each day in the ring at a walk until he can 
    turn easily and  back up without resistence.  I would then start to add 
    the other gaits and some easy hills to his routine. You might even want
    to start taking him/her on short trail rides with other horses to get
    him used to behaving in company so that you will not have as many
    problems when you start to show him/her.
    
    Pat 
1272.7any other ideas?ABACUS::MATTHEWSSHEER TERROR Tue Jun 11 1991 17:2512
    re.last
    
    i wanted to get away from the exagerated direct rein ..... i dont want
    to be pulling on his face like that.. theres got to be an easier way ..
    I know the round pen is the answer but i dont have one yet ;*(
    
    p.s.....   he's backing up fine.....
    
    			wendy o'
    
    
    
1272.8direct reining is only temporary...why the hurry?CARTUN::MISTOVICHThu Jun 13 1991 14:056
    Direct reining is the 1st step in teaching a horse to steer.  It will
    only have to be exaggerated for a short time.  What's your rush? 
    Skipping steps now will only make things take longer in the long run
    and could lead to problems.
    
    Mary
1272.9Don't have to pullDECWET::DADDAMIOTesting proves testing worksThu Jun 13 1991 19:3115
    Re: .7
    
    Wendy,
    
       You don't have to pull on the horse when doing an exaggerated direct
    rein.  What I have been taught is to use the same amount of contact as
    you would normally use with a direct rein to indicate a turn but to
    move your arm out away from your body and turn your hand so your palm
    is up (doesn't have to be absolutely flat - I usually turn it as far
    upwards as it can go without having to change the position of my
    elbow).  The way I understand it, turning the hand softens any extra
    pull that might occur when moving your arm out.  All of this should be
    reinforced with the proper leg aids.
    
    						Jan