by xena_n_joss » Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:44 am
meh I hate round pens. They are so useless for young horses, I know some people like them though. #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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Other then what your doing, I would wait until the spring/summer when
you can work consistently and start lunging anf getting her used to the
bit and pressue on the bit ect.. . This means lunging walk trot and
canter, getting her used to voice commands ect. #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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Once she is perfect at lunging usually you will line drive young horses
to get them use to contact on their mouth wthout and actual rider, this
way you get a stop and go, sow down turn this way and that... ect..
This is how you first introduce steering.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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You can practice jumping up and down beside her, standing on a stool
beside her ect... You will e surprised at how many horses get thrown
for a loop the second you are a foot taller them you should be at their
side. Once you have gottem them used to that stuff you usually just
start leaning over the hroses back with barely any weight and grdually
move up. Anything like that you need more then one person for safety
though. Usually an experienced ground person to handle the horse... #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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And you should never underestimate a horses capability, no matter HOW
quiet and people friendly they are. You can have the quietest horse and
think it will be fine and BAM you lean over it and it freaks out on
you. It DOES happen. #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
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When something goes wrong in a show, it's actually the best time because you learn from it. You ask yourself 'what can I do better?' When everything goes OK, you don't ask yourself that question --- ANKY