On 2/27/07, Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hmmm, you get on horses that you don't know, and they don't give you > warning...What was it that Nancy and Wanda talked about recently - that > owner/"consumers" don't often appreciate the TIME trainers need to spend > with horses to do a good job? Why are these people calling you? To work > with problem horses?
I *only* take on riding clients, gait problems (usually riding problems ;) ), and minor piddly training issues like a generally quiet horse who doesn't move well off the leg. "Problem Horses" get referred to *much* more experienced friends/trainers who can deal with them. I kinda like living to see tomorrow, and I don't have the necessary skills to rehab others problem horses. I did my own, have done a few friend's horses, but it's not what I advertise for! >I don't think it's the same thing to talk about getting on a strange horse, > and saying the horse gave you know warning before it bolted. Possibly, the > horse gave YOU no warning if you hopped up as soon as you met him, but I > darned betcha he/she has given SOMEONE some warning prior. The black and white that ditched me with *no* warning... I had 57 rides on her that night, we went to a horse expo the weekend before where I presented her. I do all of Millie's care, and I play with her like I do my own... She's done it once before that, it was disclosed to me before I got on the first time... Not all horses give you warning. I know that mare as well as I know my own horses! > But, if you want to be a crash test dummy, go ahead...I just hope you're > wearing the helmet that is so rarely on your head in the pictures you send > in. I don't really like the aspect of getting hurt, but there's 3 people who go out and do gait training in our area. 1 brings a rack of chains and bits, 1 requires use of her farrier... and me. I have 4 or 5 lessons a month with people, and I do require them to do groundwork, and I let them come learn groundwork with Star if they're quiet enough people that she'll accept them. We teach the horses to ground drive and longe, and do in hand work, and play on the ground, etc... But, the first evaluation lesson I watch them tack up, ride, and usually I get on the horse, too... But, there's some horses out there who misbehave with little to no warning... Steph -- "Brutality begins where skill ends." "Correctly understood, work at the lunge line is indispensable for rider and horse from the very beginning through the highest levels." Von Niendorff
