When starting a horse...?

Question

Im not starting a horse so please dont say "well if u dont know then u arent ready to start a horse"....lol...but i wanted to know like if you are teaching them how to trot and canter and getting some level of balance and tempo to their stride should you just work on that or is okay to ask for them to be on the bit and all of that stuff?...or should i just let them learn tempo etc first?...OR does tempo and balance come from being in a frame....sorry for so many questions lol..just curious =]]

Answer 1

You start with the very basics and work your way up. I'm not into the english scene, so I'm not sure what you would be doing first, but you start with the absolute easiest thing you could possibly ask for and then work your way up in difficulty. Most likely, it would be getting your horse balanced then ask for frame and tempo.

Answer 2

It is ok to ask them to be on the bit but if it was me then i'd concentrate at one thing at a time, and seeing as teaching them to trot and get some tempo is more important i would go for that. If you want to try going on to the bit it's still ok but that's (^) what i would do.

"Tempo and balance come from being in a frame??" not sure about that one, i'll look it up....

http://www.stallingspainthorses.com/trai...

good luck!

Answer 3

I start all my horses on the lungeline in a surcingle. For my greenest horses, I concentrate on balance and rhythm in a "long and low" frame. This type of frame is the easiest for them to maintain, and encourages proper muscle development.

Balance is key. When a horse is proper balance (and in every type of frame the poll should be slightly higher than the rest of the horse's body), everything else falls into place. Most horses will naturally relax into a simple frame when you help them with balance. It also takes time and patience to encourage a horse into the proper balance. This should be done at the walk first, and later at the trot. I only introduce cantering when the horse can maintain a simple frame and even tempo at the trot for at least ten minutes without breaking.

I highly suggest you audit a lunging clinic with either a dressage or classical huntseat trainer. I learned how to start horses this way, and the techniques you pick up are sound and have been refined over hundreds of years. I avoid devices or gadgets on any of my youngsters. The most I'll ever throw them in (besides the surcingle and side reins) is a standing martingale, and usually only as a temporary aid or to get them used to it for the hunter ring.