 |
Re: [RC] [RC] probiotics? - Dave Smith** Low Priority ** Jennifer: We adopted our mustangs thru the prison training program in Carson City, Nevada. The horses had each had three months of intense work with the inmates and were under saddle when we got them, capable of sidestepping, backing, trailering, etc. When we got them home, we decided to go back thru Level 1 of the Parelli Program which is almost all ground work in teaching what is known as the "Seven Games." That took about seven months since we were new to horses. When we finally saddled them, we had to act as if they had never been saddled before. So what did we gain by going slow? First we allowed the horses to physically develop since they were essentially babies when we got them * three and two years old. Second, it allowed us to develop an intense relationship with our horses that I don't think would have happened had we just saddled up and started riding. Thanks to our go-slow policy, I can say that my gelding "Hemano" has really bonded with me. He looks for me when I come toward the pasture and greets me at the gate. I never have to chase him to halter him and rarely have to tie him to saddle or clean his feet. Even on the trail, I stop, get off and let him graze untied. In my experience, slow is better than fast. I'm the boss, but not because I've forced him to do my bidding, but because he wants to do what I ask. So, good luck with your horse and train him the way you think you should, not the way others would do it. Dave "Jennifer Adam" <jatatahoe1@xxxxxxxxxxx> 06/06/06 5:39 AM >>> Hi Laney - Thanks for the advice. I do appreciate it - and I will follow it! I'm no professional and I've only done this a couple of times - still learning as I go! It's hard because in my area there are several professional trainers (Quarter Horse people) who feel compelled to give me free advice - most of which involves pointing out all the things I'm doing "wrong" because I don't believe in "showing my horse who is boss." I am a non-confrontational person and I would rather let my horse learn by setting up a situation where he CAN learn than to force something on him. But I've been told I'm treating him like a baby and taking too long. Sigh. They've been telling me the longer I wait to saddle him the harder it will be - but to be honest, I like doing groundwork (it's fun) and I love the beginning of a relationship where me and the horse are still getting to know each other. I just didn't want to wait "too long" and mess him up - but I realize now the only way to mess him up is to get in a hurry. So - I"m not worried about what they tell me - after all, he's not a QH - he's MY horse! :) Thanks for reassuring me - Jen _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
|