Re: RC: RE: Endurance and CTR

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/15/99 7:36:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
splash@dakotacom.net writes:

<< However, anyone who has started young horses, particularly
 stallions.... suggestions are welcome.>>

Get into as many public situations as possible before committing to an 
overnight experience like an endurance ride.  I like local open horse shows, 
etc.  Tie up in the parking lot, and let him get used to it.
 
 <<Right now, my biggest dilemma is actually how to restrain him at a ride (as
 in for the night).  My older horse, I just tied to the trailer on a long
 lead.  He was pretty savvy and I could get away with it.  Not so here.  I
 feel like I need a dual system, at least until he gets some experience under
 his belt and proves that he's not very excitable. >>

Until he is ready to be tied all night to a trailer in a sane fashion, he is 
not ready to come to a ride.  Tie him to a safe fence or wall at home 
overnight with a hay net and a water bucket.  Then tie him to the trailer 
overnight at home.  After that, go camping with him and tie him to the 
trailer.  There is no reason whatsoever that a stallion cannot learn to be 
sane and safe in these situations.  If you are concerned about his behavior 
when tied, have someone who is GOOD at it train him to be hobbled, sidelined, 
and have hind legs tied up.  That may well save him lots of hide (or worse) 
if he ever DOES get tangled, because he will learn that it is no big deal and 
that he just has to wait for someone to rescue him.  When you DO start taking 
him to rides, try to park at the edge of camp, or at least next to someone 
who only has one horse so that you can park him in the "blank" space between 
two trailers.

Does he live with other horses, or at least across the fence from some?  I 
think this is really important in controlling the screaming thing.  If 
stallions are used to a reasonable herd life, they understand that not all 
horses want to be their buddies, and seem to be much better about keeping 
their minds on the task at hand.  Our guys either live in bachelor bands, or 
with bossy pregnant mares, or right across the fence from other horses, so 
that they are socialized.

Heidi


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