Anyone Own Horses?
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Not really. I never grew up around horses or large animals. When I visit them at the stable or in the paddock before a race, it truthfully freaks me out a bit. Maybe that's just thoroughbred race horses, but they always seem a tad bit too much "on edge" for my liking.
Hey Frog, great picture. I had a friend bring her 4 and 6 year old over the other day. The horses loved it and they rode around bareback. The horses got it figured out: when the person on their back doesnt know how to ride, they just follow me!
Hey pekinpah, I know a few people with 'off the track' thoroughbreds. Once they realize they don't have to 'work' anymore, they settle down and are great horses. My mare is a thoroughbred (closest one in pic below) and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
So winter happened last night.
So winter happened last night.
Hey sd,
Sounds like a busy year for you. I'm starting a couple new ventures as well, so it's going to be a busy one too. But I checked the mail today and my TAD order arrived, unaccosted! Yeehaw! I'd like to put SD on my list of horse travel destinations tho...just have to finalize a land purchase, house sale, then can go LQ trailer shoppin!
Sounds like a busy year for you. I'm starting a couple new ventures as well, so it's going to be a busy one too. But I checked the mail today and my TAD order arrived, unaccosted! Yeehaw! I'd like to put SD on my list of horse travel destinations tho...just have to finalize a land purchase, house sale, then can go LQ trailer shoppin!
Woo Hoo! You can breathe out again after getting your TAD order. Sounds like you have a lot of irons in the fire as well. I'm in Texas getting ready to fly back home. We had a great meeting which will result in more business for my new venture!
I enjoyed my LQ trailer shopping. Mine has a lot of scars after 8 years, but I can't find a better deal than what I have. It truly is our home away from home.
I ordered Autumn Evening and a 4Noggins blend: Essence of Vermont. It has a really enticing pouch aroma, and got good reviews. Maybe today if its warm enough. -27C last night, but supposed to be +10 next week. Maybe a trip to the mountains is in order.
Just working on a 20ac land purchase, house, barn, all set up for horses. I want to turn the upper part of the barn into a 2 story apartment, with a west facing balcony. Then I can sit out there on a nice evening with a good pipe and watch the horses and sunset!
Just working on a 20ac land purchase, house, barn, all set up for horses. I want to turn the upper part of the barn into a 2 story apartment, with a west facing balcony. Then I can sit out there on a nice evening with a good pipe and watch the horses and sunset!
Today is a good day to bump this thread up. Yesterday I continued the process of breaking my wife's 4 year old Friesian, Dirk. Here are a series of pictures that capture the moment. For those of you who have not done this before, there is a system that many trainers follow. You start on the ground to prepare the horse for the first ride.
1. Ground Work--In this photo, I'm working Dirk in the round pen to get him relaxed and ready to work.
1. Ground Work--In this photo, I'm working Dirk in the round pen to get him relaxed and ready to work.
2. Putting pressure in the stirrup and on his back--I've stepped up on the stirrup, and I'm balancing myself over his back from the "near" or left side. This is the side that horses are trained to be mounted from.
3. Now its time to do the same thing on the other side. This is important so that he is accustomed to people mounting from either side.
4. First time on his back! After working from the ground and putting pressure on either side, Dirk was ready for someone to sit on his back. He didn't fuss or offer to buck or anything like that.
5. Last Photo! After switching to a bosal hackamore bridle, it was time for the first ride. I mounted up without incident, and we went for a nice ride around the round pen. He walked and trotted without incident. My wife then climbed aboard for her first ride on him. We have decided that Friesians are the Labradors of the horse world. They only want to please their owner/master. This is the second one I've broke, and this one was even easier than the first. He is a lot of fun!
Right on! He looks like a pretty easy going feller! How tall is Dirk? I like your round pen. No legs getting caught in that! How long have you had him?
I got on my colt today too - he's just shy of 3. He's 15hh now and still growin. Dad is 15.2 and Mom is 16. It's been a few weeks since I was on him. Just bareback with a halter...I was lazy.
I do tons of groundwork with the new guys - but very little round pen or lunge line stuff. Mostly giving(relaxing) to pressure, and yielding to my space at different gaits. It's a great way to find their 'holes' and fix little things. Then getting on them is usually anti-climactic, which disappoints onlookers but is really nice for the rider LOL! I have a video of the first time I saddled and got on this colt...will have to find the link, it's on YouTube.
I got on my colt today too - he's just shy of 3. He's 15hh now and still growin. Dad is 15.2 and Mom is 16. It's been a few weeks since I was on him. Just bareback with a halter...I was lazy.
I do tons of groundwork with the new guys - but very little round pen or lunge line stuff. Mostly giving(relaxing) to pressure, and yielding to my space at different gaits. It's a great way to find their 'holes' and fix little things. Then getting on them is usually anti-climactic, which disappoints onlookers but is really nice for the rider LOL! I have a video of the first time I saddled and got on this colt...will have to find the link, it's on YouTube.
Hunter,
Dirk is around 15.2 hands. We have had him for a little over a year. With Friesians, they mature slowly. If he was a quarter horse he would have been broke almost 2 years ago. He is 4 years old this year. Since Friesians mature slower, it is recommended that they are not ridden until they are 4.
You're right, he is pretty easy going. He wants to please, and he acts like a big friendly dog. The breed tends to bond closely with the people in their lives.
I think our groundwork philosphies are similar. Dirk has had a ton of groundwork both inside the round pen and outside. Most of it has been outside. On Saturday we worked primarily in the round pen because that is where I like to take a first ride. This way we can keep him moving in a circle without coming to a square corner.
Forward movement can be an issue with Friesians. They are not buckers at all. The breed is somewhat lazy, and it can be hard to get them out of first gear. Dirk moves better than most that I've seen. He is also quite a bit smoother than my wife's mare (broke her 5 years ago).
I agree about the onlookers. Most of them have a vision of horsebreaking that they've learned on TV and through movies. I'm too old to take a hard fall anymore, so I'm a nut about groundwork and preparation. The onlookers on Saturday were somewhat disappointed that he didn't buck at all. You're right about the anti-climax thought. If the groundwork is done gently with logical progression, the actual first ride is somewhat anti climactic.
Dirk is around 15.2 hands. We have had him for a little over a year. With Friesians, they mature slowly. If he was a quarter horse he would have been broke almost 2 years ago. He is 4 years old this year. Since Friesians mature slower, it is recommended that they are not ridden until they are 4.
You're right, he is pretty easy going. He wants to please, and he acts like a big friendly dog. The breed tends to bond closely with the people in their lives.
I think our groundwork philosphies are similar. Dirk has had a ton of groundwork both inside the round pen and outside. Most of it has been outside. On Saturday we worked primarily in the round pen because that is where I like to take a first ride. This way we can keep him moving in a circle without coming to a square corner.
Forward movement can be an issue with Friesians. They are not buckers at all. The breed is somewhat lazy, and it can be hard to get them out of first gear. Dirk moves better than most that I've seen. He is also quite a bit smoother than my wife's mare (broke her 5 years ago).
I agree about the onlookers. Most of them have a vision of horsebreaking that they've learned on TV and through movies. I'm too old to take a hard fall anymore, so I'm a nut about groundwork and preparation. The onlookers on Saturday were somewhat disappointed that he didn't buck at all. You're right about the anti-climax thought. If the groundwork is done gently with logical progression, the actual first ride is somewhat anti climactic.
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