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RE: [RC] training new horse - Rae CallawayI agree with this about the arena work. I use a show trainer instead of dressage, but our goals for this are to learn the same things. I think it's important as it really teaches the horse to focus on you, which is a great base to fall back on when the horse suddenly finds himself surrounded by 100 other horses charging hell bent for the horizon. <g> What's cool is that my show trainer has started to think of things she can do in the arena that simulate things on the trail. She'll have the group of us line up and trot in a side by side line down the arena - then the outside horses will peel off and the middle one keeps going (kinda teaching them not to follow the group, but stay with the rider). Or one group trots off from one end and the other trots from the other end and they pass at close quarters. We've even brought in one of her English Pleasure horses (really high stepping freight train trot!) to come in and pass us forward & back. We do pairs work and follow the leader. My boy has relaxed a lot with these simple exercises. He doesn't have to be glued to his trail buddy's butt anymore. (i.e.. if I want to go on the right side of the tree while the buddy goes on the left, he doesn't freak out because we're "leaving" his buddy.) Wow, I'm really into writing books this morning! Probably because I'm still too full from yesterday to move. <g> Rae Tall C Arabians - Central Region -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Vicki Austin Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 5:01 AM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] training new horse Actually, dressage training (in a ring) is very valuable for a distance horse. It teaches supple ness (muscles stay limber)--- disapline (how to rate himself somwhat)--- obediance (how to listen to rider)--- how to stretch (for warm up and cool down) --- how to bend (valuable for those close knee knocker trees)--- how to relax (good on the way and at vet checks)--- and a lot of horses love the mental challange of it. Also cones,cavalletti and even low level jumping teaches agility and handyness. It is very helpful to have an instructor if you are not familiar with dressage / jumping and all levels up to third are compatable with long distance. Teaches them so much and keeps things interesting. Once you are familiar with dressage you can do your suppling excersises in any field and lateral work on any trail. You can do all of this in any saddle and bridle as most of the work comes from the seat ,legs, and balance. I work my horse in my sport saddle and hackamore. If I show or event THEN I use the appropriate tack for that class / show / event. Vicki and King --- Carol Stiles <cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Dear Deb, It's been my experience with every horse I've had to send them off to someone crazier than I for the first month and then bring them home for the real training. Don't waste your time in an arena unless you want an arena horse. Get them out on the trails and start working them. If you send a horse off to the trainer in Sept., get him back by Oct. and spend the winter riding him several times a week , by spring you should be ready for a slow 25. I remember the first 25 I took my horse to, the vet looked at me like I was crazy and said," Why are you wasting you time doing a 25, this horse should be doing a 50." I knew physically he probably could have done a 50 but mentally he was too hyper and needed some training rides. It took several years of fighting him trying to make him go slow but this year I think we finally achieved it. Good Luck, Carol. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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