This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Here is another excerpt from DR. Deb:
"When I say "start" a horse I do not equate that with riding him. To start
a young horse well is one of the finest tests (and proofs) of superior
horsemanship. Anyone who does not know how to start a horse cannot know how
to finish one. You, the owner, therefore have the following as a minimum
list of enjoyable "things to accomplish" together with your young horse
before he's four years old, when you do start him under saddle:
* 1. Comfortable being touched all over. Comfortable: not put-upon nor
merely tolerating, but really looking forward to it.
* 2. This includes interior of mouth, muzzle, jowls, ears,
sheath/udder, tail, front and hind feet. Pick 'em up and they should be floppy.
* 3. Knows how to lead up. No fear; no attempt to flee; no drag in the
feet; knows that it's his job to keep slack in the line all the time.
* 4. Manners enough to lead at your shoulder, stop or go when he sees
your body get ready to stop or go; if he spooks, does not jump toward or
onto you, will not enter your space unless he's specifically invited to do so.
* 5. Leads through gate or into stall without charging.
* 6. Knows how to tie, may move to the side when spooked but keeps
slack in the line all the time.
* 7. Knows how to be ponied.
* 8. Carries smooth nonleverage bit in mouth. Lowers head and opens
mouth when asked to take the bit; when unbridled, lowers head and spits the
bit out himself.
* 9. Will work with a drag (tarp, sack half filled with sand, light
tire, or sledge and harness).
* 10. Mounts drum or sturdy stand with front feet.
* 11. Free longes - comes when called and responds calmly to being
driven forward; relaxed and eager.
* 12. When driven, leaves without any sign of fleeing; when stopped,
plants hind feet and coils loins; does not depend on back-drag from your
hand to stop him.
* 13. Familiar with saddle, saddle blanket, and being girthed and
accepts it quietly.
* 14. Backs easily, quietly and straight in hand, "one step at a time".
* 15. Loads quietly in horse trailer, unloads by stepping backwards
from inside horse trailer without rearing or rushing.
Various people might like to add to this list. Please feel free, just so
long as what you're asking your young horse isn't more than he can
physically do. Getting the horse "100% OK" mentally and emotionally - those
are the big areas in successful early training; most of the physical and
athletic skills can come later, when it is fitting.
I've had people act, when I gave them the above facts and advice about
starting youngstock, like waiting four years was just more than they could
possibly stand. I think they feel this way because the list of things which
they would like to include as necessary before attempting to ride is very
short. Their whole focus is on riding as why they bought the animal, and
they think they have a right to this. Well, the horse - good friend to
mankind that he is - will soon show them what he thinks they have a right to. "
This was also from the previously mentioned article.
Jean in rainy Fairbanks, Alaska
