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HORSE DISCUSSION FORUMS

Western Ranch · 09-05-2007, 10:59 AM

The sun was shining this morning after a couple of windy and rainy days. A nice day for a ride. In the round yard we always start with brushing and cleaning the hooves. Horses love routine. It especially helps nervous horses like Hamid to settle down, he knows what's coming. After a short repeat of yesterdays lesson with the bag, we saddled and bridled Hamid. He is fairly confident with Erwin getting on him, he stands nice and still. After a couple of rounds on the lead rope, it was up to Hamid and Erwin to start steering by themselves. Hamid got a little confused that all of a sudden he had to listen only to the rider on top of him and not just follow me on the ground. It didn't take him long to figure out what Erwin wanted though. He did just fine with his first steering lesson. He also got the idea of 'whoa' pretty quick. It still amazes me how quick horses learn and how intelligent they are.

Western Ranch · 10-05-2007, 12:59 PM

A well earned day of rest for Hamid. After 4 days of working with him in a row, he deserves a break. When a horse is doing well it is sometimes hard to stop. You always want more. But especially with a horse as Hamid it is important to give them time to think things over. He might be physically up for the job, but he has to be ready for it mentally as well.

Western Ranch · 10-05-2007, 01:01 PM

Hamid is getting better with putting the bridle on. We have to take real care and slide it slowly across his head and over his ears. But he still needs the control of the halter underneath so he can't pull back.
Erwin started riding him in a walk and practicing steering and the halt. This went well so he asked Hamid for a trot. Which he did. When trying to steer in the trot, the pressure was to much for him and he took off into a fast canter. He was obviously not ready yet, so we took him back a step to a walk.
One time during the training Hamid went into a controlled canter by himself. Normally we don't let the horse change gaits when not asked for, but in this case we let him. This way he can get a natural feel for the gait without any extra pressure.

Western Ranch · 11-05-2007, 09:59 AM

It was raining a bit when we got Hamid out of the paddock. A good day to saddle him in the stable. Hamid never has been inside, so it was a bit scary for him to be under cover while the rain made loud noises on the roof. He was a bit more nervous when saddling but he was ok. When it stopped raining we went into the round yard for work. We wanted to take it a step slower then yesterday. Just confirming the steering and stopping lesson. No trot today. Hamid responded well to everything we asked from him, so it was a short lesson. Always stop on a good note. And when the horse does what you wanted done within 15 minutes, well then he can go back into the paddock after a nice brush down.

Western Ranch · 14-05-2007, 10:37 AM

Even when we are not riding we are studying. Hamid is interested in Richard Shrake's Resistance Free Training. It is always good to keep an open mind and explore different techniques. You can learn something new from every trainer, instructor or author. Pick up what feels right to you. This way you accumulate a nice horsemanship toolbox that you can use whenever needed. But most of all, listen to your horse, he's you biggest teacher.

Western Ranch · 14-05-2007, 10:41 AM

A fresh start after a day of rest. Hamid responded well to the repeat lesson of walking, steering and stopping. So the trot was on the program again. We always start our training with something the horse has learned the day before and if done well we add a new step. Today it was trotting and steering in the trot. Hamid still goes into a fast trot when Erwin applies pressure when steering in the trot, but he doesn't take off in a canter anymore. At the end of the session he was getting a bit better at it. He showed us some nice movements. A good foundation to built on.

admin · 14-05-2007, 02:08 PM

Hi Western Ranch,

As a horseman I find this thread very interesting and informative and always look forward to the next progress report! As the administrator I think that our members are very fortunate that you have made the effort to post a day by day progress report on how a professional horse trainer starts a new horse. I am sure that all members will find this information invaluable and as a consequence it will become a very popular reference point within the Stockyard Discussion Forums.

Therefore, on behalf of all members I take this opportunity to thank you very much for this great initiative and the excellent presentation of this thread!

cheers..admin

kiraspark · 14-05-2007, 02:16 PM

I agree with you too Admin, I am finding it very interesting and am filing away all this information for when I might need it too. Thanks again Western Ranch! And the little pictures are great!

admin · 14-05-2007, 02:22 PM

Thanks kiraspark. As this thread is for specialist posts only we will leave it at that now and for those members who would like to show their appreciation and support for this thread there is a topic in Open Discussions.

http://www.stockyard.net/vbulletin/o...cialist+topics

cheers...admin

Western Ranch · 15-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Thanks Admin and Kirapark for your kind words. It's good to know that our day to day update about Hamid's progress is being appreciated. So lets get on with it ...

STOCKYARD HORSE DISCUSSION FORUMS

STOCKYARD
HORSE DISCUSSION FORUMS