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Re: [RC] What type of training? - Barbara McCraryThis message from Karen really hit the mark for me. When I bought Banner, nearly three years ago, I spent a whole year just walking, primarily because I could stay on his big spooks better at a walk then a trot :-))In the second year, we started trotting and actually did two 50 milers. I prudently stayed behind my husband's horse, as Banner seemed more confident with the other horse meeting the boogers first. In our third year, we have done more trotting, and occasional canter, too. I have also asked and insisted Banner walk faster. Now he is pretty solid, although I'm always aware of what he is thinking. I can read his ears and feel his muscles. If he even so much as THINKS about spooking, I scold, "AHHHHT!" or give him a little switch with the saddle strings. He has started to react as "Oh, yes, I'm not supposed to do that." His uphill walk has increased to a running walk, and can he ever power up our steep hills! He is also improving his collection on the downhills....he used to pick his way, one rigid step at a time. I never thought I would be a big proponent of spending an entire year just walking everywhere, but it seemed to be what Banner needed and it certainly was safer for me. He had done some serious spooks in the first two years, but unloaded me only once.....just jumped right out from under me (sideways.) Inertia being what it is..........I ended up on the ground. It was a fairly slow process.....I almost stayed on, but in the end couldn't quite do it. I have snapped off branches with my hands and he's solid with that. When I first tried opening and closing gates, he was scared of the gate coming toward him and would back up. Now he's a pro and is almost at the stage where he will try to close it with his nose. Some of our gates are in such places that gravity causes them to weigh too heavy on his nose, so I have to help, but at least he will follow it to the closed position and stand while I latch it. Last Sunday, we initiated a new trail we have recently built.....one mile of single-track down a ridge....20-30% grades and numerous switchbacks. I led down, as I was a bit timid, but there was no way I was going to climb back up that trail! I rode him up, terrified of every step. He went up at a fast powerful walk, short-circuiting every switchback, and the trail was a little too wet, to boot. I've realized now that if I could do that and come out OK, I should be able to graduate to other difficult trails without my signature brand of terror. Moral of the story: spend a lot of time on the basics, just as Karen described. Barbara Who is terrified of narrow trails on mountainsides, with steep drop-offs. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Sullivan" <greymare56@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Alan Kay" <alankay@xxxxxxxxx>; <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 11:59 AM Subject: Re: [RC] What type of training? what prior trail riding or training did this horse have? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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