[Ag-eq] horse training

Thu Oct 4 16:43:31 UTC 2012

Liz:

Yes, you are right about the feet moving.  All natural horsemen will talk about
making the horse move his feet.  This can be done both on the ground and in the
saddle.

Quoting Liz Lewis <liz4jesus at gmail.com>:

> 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
>
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> 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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