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  Discussion on When to train on bit and saddle
Author Message
New Member:
Mewzet

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 11:47 am:

I am currently receiving lessons on riding and how to train my 10 month old colt. Is it too early to get him used to wearing a saddle and having a bit in his mouth? He did very well and only bucked once. My sister-in-law said she thought it was way too early to put a saddle on him and a bit in his mouth.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 11:55 am:

Hi, Tammy,
Your sister-in-law is correct. Wait . . . . let his mind and body get more mature. There are many ground handling and training exercises you can do together to get him listening and sensitive to your voice and touch. You can teach him to move sideways on a light touch of your finger and a "move" cue . . . . You can teach him to follow your hand or shoulder for leading with no pull at all on the lead rope. You can teach him to load on the trailer or step over "scary" obstacles, to lead calmly past noisy equipment and, oh my! baby strollers . . . .
You can teach him to stand for braiding or farriery or baths or clipping or worming or blanketing or whatever and you can teach him to load calmly on a trailer . . . . He will be an awesome horse under saddle if you can get him used to all of these other things on the ground.

There is never any hurry with a horse . . . unless you are getting him out of a burning building . . . . take your time . . . you will be able to move more quickly in his riding training if you take your time and train thoroughly and precisely on the ground exercises.
Many good books published on ground exercises and training for tricks.
Holly
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 2:27 pm:

6 years ago, in trade for board, I pastured a pregnant mare who then foaled in my pasture. I was given strict orders not to touch the foal in anyway (old cowboy kind), but of course I ignored them. Anyway, when she was about a week old she was walking around with a towel on her back and eventually a small rope draped on her neck. We did a lot of playing then, chasing etc. It was a magical time.

The mare died suddenly when Ha'awina was 3 months old. She went back to the ranch and was put out for the next 2 1/2 years to learn to be a horse. When they brought her down and started "breaking" her she was the easiest filly/colt they had ever started. No one asked and I didn't tell.

I agree with Holly, do the ground work, get him to trust you and help him to enjoy learning. Good luck.
Member:
Mewzet

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 1:08 pm:

Thanks for your advice. I have the John Lyons book Bringing Up Baby. It's awesome. I think I'll start bringing it with me so I can steer her towards those other areas that need attention.
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