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Post by Michelle Clarke on Jul 7, 2010 12:40:52 GMT -5
We took one of our classes out on a trail walk yesterday evening. The main focus is to get the horse walking out in front of you (like long lining) and you walking next to them (behind the shoulder where you ride) or even further back the better they are doing. This is a huge preparation for riding out there, giving the horse confidence and being able to work through issues safely. We get the horse used to walking out on both sides, plus being able to work with obstacles out there. We also take them in with the cows and have fun moving them around! Carmie (Charro x Momma) and her owner, Jane:  Nino (Charro x Picasa) and his owner, Mike:  Lynn and his three year old filly, Poco:  Eric and his horse, Blu:  Buesa and Mari planning thier escape:  Two year olds (Dory, Cali, ChaCha plus Mari peeking...) planning thier attack on the poor humans preoccupied with thier own horses:  Tasa and Brisa; "You fake to the right and I'll jump in between them from the left":  Yes...Chilli is pregnant but not due until April!  Buesa, one of our key horses in the Wild Bunch (Nevada BLM mustang mare):  Leza, minding her own business and hoping she blends enough that no one notices her:  |
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Post by sbutter on Jul 7, 2010 14:22:47 GMT -5
That looks like fun! Love all the horsey thoughts that you inserted.
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Post by angelsdream on Jul 7, 2010 15:58:00 GMT -5
Great pics!! Chilli, WOW!!!
I thought when you let a horse in front of you lead, that he was assuming the leadership role and wasn't good? Maybe I'm confused or thinking of something else....which does sound good building there confidence up that way, I could see that, cause whenever any horse leads, whether riding or leading, they are supposed to be the look out and are more alert!
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Post by Michelle Clarke on Jul 7, 2010 16:09:54 GMT -5
Predator animals "lead"...prey animals "drive". The boss is the one behind, pushing the other horses out of thier space. This really mimicks riding more than any other exercise we've come up with, as the handler is behind the drive line (shoulder) as if they were in the saddle. So many of our students say this is one of the most important tools that they have because when they get in trouble out on trail, they can get off and work thier horse safely through any issues. We use this with alot of the young horses, do a trail walk out, then ride them back the same trail that we've already worked through.
Not to mention you can start this with yearlings and two year olds...
I do get lots of questions about having the horse out in front. When I am bringing horses in from the pasture, I'll have two or three out in front of me at one time (some with just a neck rope even) and people can't even phathom how to begin to do something like that. But to me, if you plan on getting on that horses back, he better be used to you not only being back there in motion, but having control.
I came up with the exercise with a horse that was super spooky and had a hard time switching eyes behind. Riding him was just a crap shoot. After perfecting these walks, the riding was no big deal. You'd be surprised how many horses that have been ridden for years, can't do this with you on the right side!
Yup, Chilli is alot of woman!
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Post by dmiecznik on Jul 7, 2010 21:50:05 GMT -5
sounds great question I have tried this but how do you get them to continue going on the trail especially when it is narrow when you are behind them and they stop and want to turn and run back.?
does make sense
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Post by fantasykiger on Jul 11, 2010 0:29:15 GMT -5
I love driving my horses away from me especailly on a walk. I do this with Super alot, it keeps me safe and does build their confidence. The only thing I have to be careful of with Super is if he takes his focus off me to long or draws his eyes completely away from me, he is likely to bolt. So My timing has to be real good about bringing his head back to me when I get any feelng he might be considering making a run for it. Those are great pictures nd everyone seems to havign a great time. Very nice horses too  OH and YEEHAW!! I love Chilli babies who is the daddy  |
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Post by Michelle Clarke on Jul 11, 2010 4:59:42 GMT -5
We've had a ton of much needed rain but as soon as it dries some, I'll get some video and that will give you a better idea of how to begin to keep them in front of you. We get them so good that we can get directly behind them and even throw the rope all the way around them and over their head so the rope is on the other side and then they lateral over.
Chilli is bred to Gringo...it was spur of the moment this spring when we were teasing Tasa (maiden mare) with Gringo and he was being so obnoxious that she was not warming up to him at all. Eric said he needed to be bred to an experienced mare first so he could learn manners...Chilli just happened to be standing at the front fence of the back acreage (which she does when she is in heat and makes googly eyes at Charro) so I brought her up and she taught Gringo well! I bred them in hand plus turned them loose together and he got some good whoopens' before he learned to act like a gentleman. Then he was great with Tasa after that!
The nice thing too is that we have nine other foals from Chilli (four different stallions) so we know what she produces. It will be a good indicator of Gringos' repro quality (or lack thereof!).
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Post by fantasykiger on Jul 11, 2010 10:19:17 GMT -5
oh super exciting a Gringo' x Chilli' foal ....something very exciting to look forward too. Nothing like a good sensable experienced mare to teach a young stallion how it's done.
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