Re: RC: High Standards on the TRAIL

[dluehosh@juno.com]

I'd definitely second what Heidi has said too. You have to do the basic
behavior training to get the good horse out there. I expect my horses to
behave like old schooling hunters no matter where we are... and I feel
that it really pays in the end in safety. I expect them to trailer
easily, back easily, listen for my command and not rush me at the door. I
have never liked turning horses to step out forwards- I have seen too
many LEAP out and slip in the process- the floor almost always has slick
footing if the horse has been standing for any length of time and that's
with rubber mats and even sawdust. So I spend the extra time to teach
them to back out though some of them REALLY don't like it. 

It's the same with breaking them, we are careful to show them everything
we expect them to do, and if they get nervous we back off and take a
look, but I don't let them run over me to get away. So far it's resulted
in four well behaved horses that have come from this farm and who have
been turned into good riding horses... I was really pleased with my 5
year old that we took into the mountains with the OD training riders last
weekend. She went right over Sherman's Gap backwards (that's another
story, we weren't supposed to be up there... but the trail looked SO
familiar ..... sigh) and only stopped a couple of times because she was
tired and really didn't feel like jumping down yet another limestone
slab... but she kept going with some encouragement. She crossed the low
river bridge at the beginning of the ride, and the only one that made me
look stupid was my older riding horse who never spooks at anything...
well, he made a liar out ofme... I got off on that one- he never is
afraid, so this really got to him, but he was sensible the second time we
came through. He really has never been that agitated... oh well. THe
point is that even though he was afraid he let me climb off and lead him
across safely.

 Anyway, I think you SHOULD be able to collect  your horse and they
should listen... there are always going to be a few that are difficult,
but the basic training is at home. I think a little bit of halter
training and ground driving and showing never hurt a horse if it's done
right. I like to see horses do nice trot outs too. It's NOT all go go go.
So keep up your ring work; expect your horse to look good and use himself
well. 
JMHO
Gwen Dluehosh DVM
www.beachbum.com/arabians

On Tue, 28 Mar 2000 09:51:12 EST GrgGmiller@aol.com writes:
> As a newcomer to horses as well as the sport of endurance, I was 
> beginning to > feel like I did'nt belong with the "SPIRIT" of most of
these riders. 
> I keep taking lessons in the arena, and they keep telling me I'm 
> wasting time > NOT conditioniing.  > BON> 
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.