[Ag-eq] horse training

Thu Oct 4 16:18:01 UTC 2012

Nella: Great description.  My trainer says the key is "who is moving whose
feet?" 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
nfoster at extremezone.com
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 11:21 AM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] horse training

Hi Jody:

I'll try and explain how I do ground work.  Keep in mind I'm no expert and
am learning as I go.

The only horse I've done much ground work with is my Missouri Fox Trotter,
named Cruiser.  I used to do a little with my mules Allie and Cricket as
well.  I always kept Allie and Cricket on a longe line; I usually would
longe them a little before riding.  I would just have them go in a few
circles each direction.  This seem to make them a little calmer before
riding.  I was using a pretty short line, so I could really feel what they
were doing.

I have done a few of the Parelli games with all the horses and mules I've
owned.
 I'm not sure how to spell Parelli, he is a very well known natural trainer.
I'm sure some of you have heard of him.

One of the games is to have the horse move away from pressure.  You touch
the horse in different places, using more pressure as needed.  As soon as
they move you release pressure.  I say the word "over" as I apply the
pressure.  I get them to move forward, backward and from side to side.  I
use a rope halter and a 6 foot lead when doing this.

Another game is to get the horse used to being touched all over.  I start
with my hands and then get them used to objects.  I like to slide ropes all
over them especially their legs.  I also use plastic bags and other things
that make noise.  Many horses are afraid of the sound of plastic and paper.
Cruiser still has a long way to go!  I also touch them with the whip and a
stick with a flag.
In the beginning you may not be able to actually touch them with the object.
As soon as the horse stops moving I remove the contact or bring the object
further away if not actually touching the horse.  The release is the reward,
so timing is very important.  Again I'm using a 6 foot lead and rope halter.

The other game I use involves leading the horse.  The goal is to walk the
horse on a very loose lead.  The horse should be watching you and moving
with you.
In the beginning you may have to have some pressure on the lead rope to get
them to follow.  Cruiser is very good at this.  He stops when I stop, he
follows me to the left, the right.  and will even back when I walk backward.
I tend to keep horses pretty close when leading, about an arms length away.
Many trainers will think this is to close, but it works for me.  I like to
know where his head is.  If you practice this enough, eventually you can do
it without a lead rope.

I believe there are 7 Parelli games, but don't know them all.  There are
lots of books and DVDs of his stuff.  Many other natural horsemen use
similar techniques.  It would probably be a good idea to have a trainer walk
you through some of this in the beginning.

Cruiser is the only horse I've really used the round pen with.  I use it
mostly as a form of exercise.  I have fibro myalgia and don't always feel
like riding him.  My round pen is 60 across, most will be 50 or 60.  I have
a piece of plywood laying on the ground so I can easily find the center.  I
send Cruiser away from me by poiting to the rail with my handy stick.  I
then tap the ground with the stick to get him moving.  Cruiser had a lot of
anxiety about the round pen in the beginning.  He would just take off and
gallop circles, it was hard to get him to stop or slow.  We don't know why
he did this, but it made him nervous.  I think some one must have made him
run and nothing else.  He is much better now and much more relaxed.

I do not use the longe line; I don't have one long enough.  When I want him
to slow I tell him easy and keep my body very relaxed, the handy stick down
at my side.  If I want him to pick it up I tell him flat walk, fox trot or
canter.  I don't always get what I want, but have hopes!  I also tap the
ground behind him with the handy stick.  If he goes faster than I want I
slow him again.  If he starts moving in towards me I make my body big and
step toward him.  When I want him to turn I step toward his head and swing
the handy stick.  I usually have to make my body big too.  When I want him
to come in to me I ask him to slow and then walk away from him.  As I do
this I bring my hand to my chest, like the recall sign for dogs.

As I said before it's not perfect, but we're getting better.  Other people
may have better ideas and methods.  I plan on taking some ground work
classes and practice, practice, practice.  Cruiser really loves me and wants
to please, which makes things easier.  He really tries to understand what I
want.

I hope I've been able to answer some of your questions.  If you have any
mnore I'll do my best to explain.  I've owned horses for several years and
am constantly learning.

Nella

Quoting Jody Ianuzzi <jody at thewhitehats.com>:

> Hi Nella,
>
> Oh I think reading your own horses is a lot easier then approaching an 
> unknown horse.
>
> How would your describe your method?
>
> JODY
>
>
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