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Discussion on Such a thing as waiting to long to train? | |
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2001 - 3:20 pm: I have a 5 year old mare that I want to train in Western pleasure. Outside of reading books and listening to informed people, I am a definite novice. She resists staying in a trot and is extremely rough. Definitely is not collected at the lope. I may be in a hurry with her and need to introduce fewer things. Any suggestions, have I started to late with her?Thanks, Deb |
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2001 - 6:18 pm: Hi, Deb,It's never to late to start training a horse. Every time we work with our horses we are training them to do something whether it's something new, reviewing learned cues, or unlearning cues because we aren't following through on what we expect from them. Five years old is a great age at which to start. Don't expect miracles over night, though. Training takes lots of time and repetition; more with some horses than with others. If you are learning, too, the training may take even longer as you process the responses of your horse and try to set reasonable lesson goals for the both of you. Take heart. There are lots of knowledgeable people who have lived with and learned from many horses. Find one in your area, and ask if you can learn from him/her. As for "staying in the trot:" Is your horse in good physical shape? How long are you expecting her to trot? Can you keep her at the trot with verbal cues from the ground, on a longe line? Responsiveness on the ground will carry over onto the top of your horse. Some horses do have very rough gaits. I have a couple that have the springiest trots you could ever have (great for teaching posting) but their canters are as smooth as silk. I have one guy that has the best western jog in the world, but his canter is very hard to sit. Longe work is great for getting a horse to balance itself at the different gaits, and if you can get someone to help longe your horse while you are on top, that will help the horse learn to balance with a rider and adjust its gaits so the horse will be most comfortable carrying you on its back. It's a fact that some horses make better equitation mounts than others. You say you are a novice trainer, but are you also a novice rider? If so, you may need some help from an instructor who can teach you how to relax in your waist and hips so you can move better with the horse and absorb some of the "bounciness." Have a great, safe time working with your horse. You will both learn so much from eachother. Horses are honest creatures. Learn to listen to your horse and always remember not to do anything that could result in damage to you or your horse. You have chosen a very noble hobby! Holly |
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 5, 2001 - 1:09 pm: Well lets see, got my mare as an unbroke pasture pet at 12 years old, trail riding at 13, team penning at 14, barrel raceing at 15, dressage at 17.....I am thinking you have a little time left to teach you old dog a few more new tricks... *grin* |
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