Use common sense :-)
If your youngster is out on lots of acreage running around getting exercise, what does your youngster need? Well the basics, leading, feet, brushing, etc. You can do very light training sessions concentrating on the basics.
How about a stall with a paddock or stall with small turn out with another horse. Exercise and the basics. Its all about looking at your options. There are some NO's that are available. No don't lunge for 2 hours. No don't lead them from another horse for 2 hours. No don't do much of the same thing for 2 hours. Young horses are mentally not ready for a 2 hour exercise or training session. But young horses in stalls and paddocks do need exercise.
You go well what are they ready for? Well some non forced turn out time in a large arena? sure. How about a 10-30 minute light lunging session? sure. Leading around the block, sure? all in the same day, probably not.
Its about mixing and matching. Mix and match your training and exercise program to create an opportunity for learning and exercise for development of bone and muscle. First few times leading around the block a youngster may only have the stamina for a half mile or mile. As the youngster grows and gets used to more exercise you may be taking them for 3 or more mile walks. When working on training your youngsters attention span may only be a few minutes, thats okay, as they grow and as you introduce them to training, there attention span will increase.
You may lunge your youngster one day and their attitude might suck, do you stop because (well), you always do 5 times around each way and stop? nope, you are going to keep going (stomping your feet, making faces, show you are not happy with the attitude) and the minute the attitude changes you take the opportunity to stop on a good note.
Okay so things are going BAD, you are at 30 of trying to teach your youngster something and its going no where. Options? First, take a long deep breath and let it out. Second try something the youngster is good at, if they respond nice take the created opportunity and stop for the day. After a good nights rest you can reapproach what you where trying to teach with baby steps.
Michelle
Showing posts with label horse training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse training. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Improving, well everything
Read/Watch all kinds of books/magazines/videos/tv shows on horses from all kinds of Horse People and spend time with Your Horse.
Sounds too simple, but it really is that easy to start improving, if you've only read one author try some others. Only watched one video from one trainer? there is a whole world of information waiting for you. Open your horizons and enjoy learning from any all who are willing to share their experiences and love of horses with you.
Sounds too simple, but it really is that easy to start improving, if you've only read one author try some others. Only watched one video from one trainer? there is a whole world of information waiting for you. Open your horizons and enjoy learning from any all who are willing to share their experiences and love of horses with you.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Amazing Horses
BabyDoll (2 year old I have) was ready to lead around the block. The big decision was do I lead her? Do I pony her from another horse? and If ponying, which horse do I use?
After some thought, decided to see if ponying was something King would be willing to do. Your first thought is what do you mean is the horse willing to do it? Are you willing to work with a bratty teen? Its a gift, some people and some horses just have a gift with bratty teens. King has shown himself to be great with bratty teens, but I don't take it for granted.
So saddled up, got BabyDoll haltered and ready, and in the saddle I went. First stop was King quietly with little fuss established he was in charge. Just stood there, the minute BD stopped (fidgeting, pawing, etc) and paid attention to him, he twitched an ear. Slowly BD stood quietly. BD the horse that never stood quietly was standing quietly, Wahoo!
Then King starts walking and BD comes along, she wasn't in the right spot, so King stops. A little head movement, some nibbles and BD is in the right spot. Off we go.
We had a lovely ride around the block with a few stops here and there. The amazing thing, was how non aggressive and quietly King was able to establish and keep his roll as leader.
Michelle
After some thought, decided to see if ponying was something King would be willing to do. Your first thought is what do you mean is the horse willing to do it? Are you willing to work with a bratty teen? Its a gift, some people and some horses just have a gift with bratty teens. King has shown himself to be great with bratty teens, but I don't take it for granted.
So saddled up, got BabyDoll haltered and ready, and in the saddle I went. First stop was King quietly with little fuss established he was in charge. Just stood there, the minute BD stopped (fidgeting, pawing, etc) and paid attention to him, he twitched an ear. Slowly BD stood quietly. BD the horse that never stood quietly was standing quietly, Wahoo!
Then King starts walking and BD comes along, she wasn't in the right spot, so King stops. A little head movement, some nibbles and BD is in the right spot. Off we go.
We had a lovely ride around the block with a few stops here and there. The amazing thing, was how non aggressive and quietly King was able to establish and keep his roll as leader.
Michelle