For a green horse, I now warm up away from the pack. I try to stay
calm - the horse definitely "reads" me if I am nervous or excited.
(After so many years, I STILL get butterflies before a start.) We
use a mild curb (Uxeter Kimberwicke) and some dressage (slowing using
seat, lots of voice). I will still have an <occasional> wild start.
One year, I rode a borrowed horse at the OD. He wanted to gallop
wildly down the hard top road for the first mile or so and then up
the first climb, wanting to jump ditches, obstacles, etc. (He is used on
the hunt field sometimes - they can have some crazy gallops!) We had
planned to complete - not win! I found that the safest thing
was to control & direct his energy in a safe & productive manner. If
I fight w/ an agitated horse, we waste energy on both of our parts.
I can be happy if he listens & responds to requests for change in
direction, leg yields, and shows that he hears me. They all
eventually settle in - it just takes longer for some than it does
others.
At home, we will ride w/ a large saddle club. We will ask them to
have a relatively controlled gang start on some rides so that the green
horses will see the excitement and learn to deal w/ it. Sometimes we
purposely hang back, or try to trot calmly behind the bunch. I have
found that if I can pair up a greenie & a vetran, the green horse
will cue off of the vetran & do much better. I DO NOT lounge a horse
before a ride! I saw a few folks doing that this spring. The horse
will go enough miles, thank you. Also, the small circles are not
necessarily the best warm up, IMO. I will hand walk, then ride for
about 20-30 min before the start time.
My husband's horse will be agitated if we wait to tack him until the
last minute. If he is tacked well in advance, he seems to know that
he's working and that he will not be left behind! After that, he is
strong (not wild) for the first 7-10 miles. After that, he is very
reliable and a great teacher for green horses!
I hope that this helps.
Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Equestrian Supplies/ Blue Wolf Ranch
Chesapeake, VA
"In case of emergency - Fur side up, steel side down!"