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Discussion on What do trainers want?
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Member:
Thomboy
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Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2006 - 11:38 pm:
Sounds like a loaded question? Well, I guess it is. I have been tasked with the job of putting together a list for our foster homes of what level their horses need to be at before they go off to the trainer for their initial 30 days of starting under saddle. Could all of you trainers out there, please give me lists of what you expect the horses you work with to be doing when they come to you to have them working under saddle in 30 days (generally speaking, of course, as I know each horse is different and 30 days only produces a very green horse at best)? At the same time, could you give me an idea of what to expect of a horse that has had 30 days of training? Thanks in advance for you help.
Melissa
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 10:06 am:
Melissa ...
The more ground work that has been done, the better for earlier saddle training. The biggest problem I experience with young horses brought to me for training, is a total lack of respect for the handler. As a result, I spend much of the first few days working on this issue as it is hard to advance properly until this is established. In my opinion, the 2 most important things that can be done prior to taking to a trainer is lunging with a purpose and teaching the young horse to respect your space. Unfortunately, usually I get totally "wild" or totally "spoiled" horses to start. In any case, a 30 day horse should be desensitised and good with all ground handling including feet and trimming. Under saddle, stop and go and all turns and backing (direct rein of course)and very little riding outside of confined spaces (arena or round pen or pasture area). I have had horses after 30 days still fighting lunging as well as some that were learning to work off the leg and neck rein already. In my experience, most quarter horses are quick learners .. paints not so quick. Bet that touches a nerve with some of our members ... ha ha.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 10:21 am:
Dennis and the appy learning curve.. ??
On the first day God created horses , on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 10:41 am:
Ah yes ... the appy.
I have a few of those myself.
That has always been the comment in my area .. quarter horse "good" ... appy "stupid".
I actually bought a couple of apps as an experiment .. and to test my training ability. Honestly, I have found quick and slow learners in all breeds and I now tell my quarter horse buddies that an appaloosa is just a quarter horse with color .. not just those boring bays and sorrels.
I figure God loves em' all .. so can I.
DT
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 10:56 am:
 ... and then you get the appy/ sport horse with NO 1/4 horse bloodlines! Mostly warm blood / TB and a color gene .. Athletic / personality.. and beauty...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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New Member:
Lakotalu
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006 - 9:37 pm:
I have a beligerant appy and then again her mother who is the best horse I've ever owned. If you want a handful, try an appy mule - fast, smart, beautiful, strong, athletic, but so full of themselves you don't know from one minute to the next what is on their mind and oh so headstrong. I also have a draft horse mule who is large, calm, strong, brave and a total lady at all times. I'll take her every time.
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 8:36 am:
I thought "all" appy's were part mule.
DT
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 10:07 am:
Dennis, you are walking on THIN ice now.. !!
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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New Member:
Lakotalu
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 10:25 am:
I've also got an appy yearling who is just so nice - popped out of the box with good manners and as gentle as rain. I suppose it's the luck of the draw, but I had to laugh at your comment,Dennis. There's some truth in those words...
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 10:27 am:
Sorry Ann ... just funnin' you know.
I own 8 apps of my own and they are all great horses.
This is just the crap I hear from all the quarter horsers around here. Although they do quiet down a little when I beat them in the barrels and poles on a regular basis.
DT
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 10:43 am:
With a two by four i assume.. 
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 11:12 am:
Ann ... I beat the quarter horse riders, not the appy's ... well not regularly anyway.
DT
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Member:
Savage
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 11:33 am:
I lost my beloved Appy in Feb at the age of 27, he was also like Linda's horse " out of the box with good manners and as gentle as rain". He was the sweetest, kindest most honest horse I had every known. Raised him from a baby and was a wonderful partner no matter what we did. When we would ride with another horse that would act up, get scared or need assistance he was right there and did his job to keep things down to a low roar so to speak. His trust in my judgements was just incredible.  There will be no other like him.
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New Member:
Lakotalu
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 2:59 pm:
My older appy mare was used as a brood mare before I got her. I couldn't stand it that they thought all her value was in the babies she could produce so I immediately said "no more babies" for her and started riding her out on the trails and now I am working her up for endurance. She is just an exceptional individual all around. No matter what the challange is, she goes after it with everything she's got and then some. She's got the most comfortable "shuffle" gait and if we get into something I can't take care of, she takes care of me. I could never ask for a better horse. She is the reason I looked for and bought the little boy mentioned above. If he turns out as good as she is, I'm set for all the remaining days I have coming and so far he has exceeded my hopes. "Appys been berry berry good to me!"
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Member:
Sully
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 - 9:23 pm:
Hey Melissa.....to get back to your question, I am not a trainer, but have taken my share of young horses to them for their training. My horses are trained for cutting, so what their purpose is probably makes a difference on what a trainer likes and dis-likes. So far they prefer them to be leading, tying everyday sort of things....saddled and on a walker is ok. They prefer that they have been rode very little if at all. Do not like them spoiled and disrespectful. More or less a clean slate so they do not have to correct problems.
Nancy
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 - 2:09 am:
Dennis when you say spoiled do you mean too inquisitive/unafraid of humans or just ignorant because the owners did not teach the horse to respect human space? Can you be specific what problems you get with over-handled horses?
Thanks
Imogen
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Member:
Dtranch
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 - 7:01 am:
Imogen ...
By "spoiled" I am mainly referring to pushy and a general lack of respect. Especially in many of the young horses, they have been allowed to be all over the owners because it is so cute when they are foals, but becomes a real problem as they get older and bigger. These horses generally require much more initial ground work just to get their attention and to learn that they no longer make the rules. In addition, I have taken in many young horses who were "overly" treated, and will nearly maul you to find their apple or carrot or whatever you are supposed to have in your pocket. In most cases, I would prefer a horse who has had little or nothing done over the "spoiled" horse ... a clean slate with no bad habits as Nancy stated. Being inquisitive is a wonderful trait for trainers because, in my opinion, it indicates a real willingness and desire to learn. Fear, or lack of fear is a non issue with me as this is just a part of the training process I am being paid for.
DT
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