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Re: [RC] training new horse - Vicki AustinActually, dressage training (in a ring) is very valuable for a distance horse. It teaches supple ness (muscles stay limber)--- disapline (how to rate himself somwhat)--- obediance (how to listen to rider)--- how to stretch (for warm up and cool down) --- how to bend (valuable for those close knee knocker trees)--- how to relax (good on the way and at vet checks)--- and a lot of horses love the mental challange of it. Also cones,cavalletti and even low level jumping teaches agility and handyness. It is very helpful to have an instructor if you are not familiar with dressage / jumping and all levels up to third are compatable with long distance. Teaches them so much and keeps things interesting. Once you are familiar with dressage you can do your suppling excersises in any field and lateral work on any trail. You can do all of this in any saddle and bridle as most of the work comes from the seat ,legs, and balance. I work my horse in my sport saddle and hackamore. If I show or event THEN I use the appropriate tack for that class / show / event. Vicki and King --- Carol Stiles <cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Dear Deb, It's been my experience with every horse I've had to send them off to someone crazier than I for the first month and then bring them home for the real training. Don't waste your time in an arena unless you want an arena horse. Get them out on the trails and start working them. If you send a horse off to the trainer in Sept., get him back by Oct. and spend the winter riding him several times a week , by spring you should be ready for a slow 25. I remember the first 25 I took my horse to, the vet looked at me like I was crazy and said," Why are you wasting you time doing a 25, this horse should be doing a 50." I knew physically he probably could have done a 50 but mentally he was too hyper and needed some training rides. It took several years of fighting him trying to make him go slow but this year I think we finally achieved it. Good Luck, Carol. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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