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HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Beginning the Two Year Old » |
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 10, 2000 - 9:02 pm: I am not an experienced horse person but I have loved and wanted a horse for as long as I can remember. Fortunatly I had the oppurunity to purchase a horse that will be 2 in June. The friend that made this possible for me had been around horses her entire life. She is stabling the horse for me as long as I pay for what she needs and give her the attention that her previous owner failed to give. I have read some of the messages posted about inexperinced people mistreating horses. She is halter broke but doesn't lead very well. She is extremly calm and gentle but quite mischievious. I have read a couple of books with very old copyright dates on horses but I still feel that I don't know where to begin. Some advice from those willing to give it would help me out. Maybe someone knows of a couple of recommended books for me. |
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 10, 2000 - 9:11 pm: At this point your new horse needs alot of ground work. I would highly recommend the "Horsemanship by Feel" book by Bill Dorrence. It will probably run you around $55 but it is worth every penny. It can be purchased from Tack in the Box (www.tackinthebox.com) As you progress slowly thru the book you can apply each step towards your new baby. Remember, whatever you do from the ground will follow thru into the saddle.Jo |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 10:53 am: I would also recomment "Lyons on Horses" by John Lyons. It too has step-by-step "how to's" that I have found very useful with my guys. |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 11:23 am: Mark Rashid's books, A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color and Considering the Horse would be very good to read. Although told in (true) story format, each chapter gives you insight in dealing with a horse issue and helps you to consider the horse's point of view.They are in paperback and available from Amazon.com - maybe $12 each. You also may want to hook up with someone who is experienced and has a good reputation for starting young horses. Even if you are an experienced rider, starting a horse is a bit different and it helps to have some good guidance. Good luck. Be patient. Enjoy your horse. |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 10:19 pm: Just know one thing, a two year old is very unpredictable. She is not experienced enough in life to handle every thing normal life throws out. She may run you down if a dog jumps out barking. A large garbage truck may cause her to rear and strike. Be prepared to be surprised and you may survive till she matures. |
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 7:12 pm: Just an update to let you know how its going. I've been working with my horse mainly just getting her used to me but we've also been doing some leading. She will only go so far from her pasture mates. I find it difficult not to pull on her when she wants to stop. Has anyone tried what John Lyons suggests with the burlap and did it work? At this point and time I don't have access to a round pen or even an enclosed area away from the other horses other then the barn. I am over my apprehension with her. The more time I spend with her the more comfortable I feel. I think my biggest fear is that I will inadvertantly do something to hurt her or cause her to fear something. All the advice is helping, thanks! |
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 8:42 pm: Regarding your leading and when she stops because she doesn't want to leave her mates. Don't pull harder, just hold the pressure until she gives into the pressure and walks forward and once she starts to take a step forward release the pressure. Also, if she is stuck (plants her front feet and won't budge) go to the left side with steady pressure until she moves a foot, then go to the right side and do the same. You might need to continually do the left and right and then go forward a few steps for a while, but it will improve. Jo |
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 10:14 am: Corinna - when I started working with my baby, I he would lead fine, until he decided he'd had enough, then he'd just plant. So I went to working on the "go" spot - the point of their hip. JL explains this. Basically, take your dressage whip (or something stiff), and tap-tap-tap until he makes any sort of move forward. Build on this til all you have to do it raise the whip to that spot (will help greatly with lunging later) and he moves forward. Read up on this section in the book, I promise it will make sense, and it will work! Keep us posted! |
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 3:50 pm: I second the John Lyons methods, I've found them a lot of help with my older mare. He has another book that I recommend more than 'Lyons on Horses', the first one, called "Communication with Cues, Part 1". If you go to his Perfect Horse website, there should be a phone number or email address where you can order it. He revises and further explains some of his training techniques. You don't necessarily need a round pen, that works best with unbroken horses. He now uses the burlap bag to refine the leading and yielding cues, as I recall. I found his first book a little too general for me; this one is much more detailed. Good luck! Just be patient. |
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 4:56 pm: Deborah - I've got that! Plus Part II and Part III. I agree that these are also very helpful, in that they expand some of the "Lyons on Horses" ideas, and even talk about different ways of accomplishing the same thing. I think LoH talked about using the burlap sack to start with, and ending up using a halter, but his more current method is to start with the halter, and if you can make your way using a sack, you've done a good job! Patience, yes! |
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Posted on Monday, Feb 28, 2000 - 8:47 pm: An update on my progress--We worked on some leading again this weekend. She's doing a lot better. I got her to move forward quite a bit. I found that when she stopped and I wanted her to keep moving I would turn her in a tight circle and when she came around I kept going forward. She would walk about 30 feet and then she would stop. So I would do it again praising her when she moved forward. She tried to bite me once but I chucked her under the chin. I could almost see the surprise in her eyes at my reaction. :-) I sat and watched her with the other horses after brushing her. I figured out who was the top dog and the pecking order among the five horses. She is one of the youngest so she's 4th in line. It was really interesting watching them. Especially now that I kind of understand them. |
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 1, 2000 - 12:56 pm: Lots of improvements over the last few weeks. She leads well although once in a while she wants to hang back. Last week I got her to trot beside me. We were on fairly level ground but when we came to a rise she stumbled and fell. Scrared me to death I thought for sure that she got hurt. She didn't. I guess thats the first time I've ever seen a horse fall. Is there a reason for it? Was she just not paying attention? Yesterday I got her used to a saddle blanket. It didn't seem to bother her a bit. We've had a bit in her mouth and once she got comfortable with it she didn't notice it. I can lead her around the yard with my son on her. She is a very gentle horse and there isn't too much that seems to bother her. I've even snubbed her. I think it went well the horse I was using was amazing it didn't bother him a bit. I hope some day my horse will be trained that well. So what do you think? I like any feedback good and bad. |
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 1, 2000 - 11:29 pm: Here's the best advice I can give you: Do NOT put a child on a two-year-old horse. They can spin and turn in a nano-second from something that frightens them, and they can see much farther than we can. All it takes is one little movement--like laundry flapping on a line a half mile away--and they are out of there. Also, don't lead her from the bit--for much the same reason. If she pulls away from you and steps on a line (or reins) that is attached to the bit, she can really hurt herself badly.I'm currently bringing up my second baby. It's certainly interesting. My first baby never did anything wrong (then), and my current baby has given me one injury after another...never meaning to hurt me, just being a baby with very little self-control. Take your time and have fun. |
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 15, 2000 - 7:27 pm: I realize that a 2-year old is unpredictable and you are right I sholdn't have had my son on her. Even with my father walking beside him holding onto his belt just in case she would spook an accident could have happened. Thanks for the reality check.I guess I didn't make myself clear when I was talking about leading her. I don't lead her with the bit. I only lead her with the halter. I guess I don't know what kind of bridle that my friend had on her, it wasn't a full bridle so her halter fit nicely over the top. Sorry about the confusion. You are right it is very interesting bringing up a baby. She hasn't hurt me yet although she has tried. I have learned to pay close attention to her mood so I can forsee trouble. She has only caught me off guard once. It's amazing how differnt their moods can be from one day to the next. One day she will lead like a charm and the next day it becomes a problem. I just keep working with her when she's acting up and she finally will do what I ask of her. |
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2000 - 10:39 pm: Corinna,Time with her is your best friend. She is still learning to trust you. The more time you spend with her the better she will get. So far it sounds like you are doing everything right. The only thing I didn't like is sacking her out. (if I read it right) Some swear by this and I have used it in the past but about five years ago I bought a tape called join-up by Monty Roberts and have not used the sack since. I have learned so much from it that it still amazes me. I have trained race horses with my dad when I was fifteen and did it old school ways, they worked but now this way seems faster and more enjoyable for both the horse and I. I can't remember the last time I hit a horse. I have two young ones I'm training now. Five month old and Six month old and they are having a ball. Good Luck Glenn |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2001 - 3:28 pm: Try to find a trainer in your area. A book(s) are great but there's nothing like Hands ON! They can see what you're doing and give you tips and hints!I don't have a young horse but I'm new at horse ownership. My trainer is constantly pointing out slight things that I would have /never/ thought of. Things as little as how much/little 'energy' I use with my horse, how I lead, how to read what /he/ is saying. There's so much to learn! I can't imagine having a baby without help!! It might cost more now, but it could cost more later if your horse grows up with problems. Good luck! |
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