Re: Handling a young horse at the start of a ride.

[Leigh331@aol.com]

I'm not really going to try to advise you on how to control your horse at the
start of the ride. I've been there though and it's not fun until you can
"relax" and pretend you "meant" for him to run like a bat! LOL Trully, that is
what I have found to work with my horses. The first several rides, I start
after every one else has left. Then, when I feel my horse has the hang of
endurance and knows what his job is....I start up front and pretend I asked
him to race for all he's worth. Lack of control is hard to take for us humans.
We feel fear when we have no brakes! If you can effectively pretend that this
is what you want, it makes it easier for you. Also, my horses get more in
control at the start off after they've been competing for a year or two. Good
Luck....
                         ***and hang on*****

Leigh Preddy