How can you train a 6 year old quarter horse like as in to ride them quick and will last forever?
Hi I am just about to start train my quarter horse who is about 6 or 7. I have not the first clue as to where to start. My dad has trained horse’s before but I want to surprise him. I am young to and my horse is a little scared around the edges. When I have hoped on her I always get bucked of. NOT ON PURPOSE though. I would love to be about to ride her really soon. Oh and I am a western rider if that helps. I would love any of your advice thanks!
You need to start on the ground. If he is not able to do everything that you want on the ground safely, the last place you should be is in the saddle.
On the ground he needs to be able to lead easily and for him to stay in his own space…respecting yours… stopping when you stop, not running you over, etc.
He also will need to be able to yiels forquarters (shoulders) around hindquarters (bottom) and hindquarters around forquarters. He also needs to be able to back up easily and be able to give vertically with his head. (this is bringing nose toward his shoulder on both sides)
He needs to be able to do these things from both sides.
You should also learn about the one rein stop…and emergency dismount…this could save you from getting thrown again and hurt. But you won’t need this till you are on his back. The vertical flexion prepares you to do this in the saddle.
The one rein stop and emergency dismount is when you slide one hand down the rein and bend your horses neck so that his nose bends towards your leg. At the same time as bending your horse bend your body and prepare to dismount. As soon as his nose comes to you dismount quickly but safely on the side that is nose is at. If his nose is pointed to you he can’t sidestep into you, it just doesn’t work that way, but he can side step the other way…if this happens he won’t step on you cause you are off the other side already.
If you are just stopping and not needing to dismount, then at the same time as bending your horse, bend your body, not in half, but mirror what you want him to do in his body with your body. Looking at his tail and turning your body to accomplish such, not so severe that you lose your seet, but enough so that your body will help his body disengage. In doing this it will disengage his hindquarters and a horse can’t keep the forward movement happening if his hindquarters are being disengaged. This is where him knowing the vertical flexion from ground and saddle is to your advantage. If your horse is having issues and you need to stop him or dismount NOW, it is easier to get your horse to disengage and give his head when it has been taught to him already.
It is essential and can save your life! A horse being claustrophobic by nature, if you pull back with both reins the general tendency for the human body is to get brassy and tighten up…legs and all. This causes pressure which makes two things happen. First if causes the claustrophobic horse to feel trapped between your gripping legs and the grip on the mouth. And secondly it will actually cause more of a forward motion. When someone usually wants their horse to move forward they squeeze with their legs. So if you want your horse to stop but are squeezing with your legs that is totally mixed signals.
OK First you need to halter break her. If that is done then lead her by and over obstacals to get her used to them. After that just put a saddle on her. DO NOT get on. Do that for a couple of days then just press on her back to get her used top the weight. After that then you can try getting on but remember shes not perfect. ALWAYS reward her with praises and this is a lengthy process, it will not happen overnight,
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You need to start on the ground. If he is not able to do everything that you want on the ground safely, the last place you should be is in the saddle.
On the ground he needs to be able to lead easily and for him to stay in his own space…respecting yours… stopping when you stop, not running you over, etc.
He also will need to be able to yiels forquarters (shoulders) around hindquarters (bottom) and hindquarters around forquarters. He also needs to be able to back up easily and be able to give vertically with his head. (this is bringing nose toward his shoulder on both sides)
He needs to be able to do these things from both sides.
You should also learn about the one rein stop…and emergency dismount…this could save you from getting thrown again and hurt. But you won’t need this till you are on his back. The vertical flexion prepares you to do this in the saddle.
The one rein stop and emergency dismount is when you slide one hand down the rein and bend your horses neck so that his nose bends towards your leg. At the same time as bending your horse bend your body and prepare to dismount. As soon as his nose comes to you dismount quickly but safely on the side that is nose is at. If his nose is pointed to you he can’t sidestep into you, it just doesn’t work that way, but he can side step the other way…if this happens he won’t step on you cause you are off the other side already.
If you are just stopping and not needing to dismount, then at the same time as bending your horse, bend your body, not in half, but mirror what you want him to do in his body with your body. Looking at his tail and turning your body to accomplish such, not so severe that you lose your seet, but enough so that your body will help his body disengage. In doing this it will disengage his hindquarters and a horse can’t keep the forward movement happening if his hindquarters are being disengaged. This is where him knowing the vertical flexion from ground and saddle is to your advantage. If your horse is having issues and you need to stop him or dismount NOW, it is easier to get your horse to disengage and give his head when it has been taught to him already.
It is essential and can save your life! A horse being claustrophobic by nature, if you pull back with both reins the general tendency for the human body is to get brassy and tighten up…legs and all. This causes pressure which makes two things happen. First if causes the claustrophobic horse to feel trapped between your gripping legs and the grip on the mouth. And secondly it will actually cause more of a forward motion. When someone usually wants their horse to move forward they squeeze with their legs. So if you want your horse to stop but are squeezing with your legs that is totally mixed signals.
References :
I have been training horses for many years. Over the past 4 years I have been using the Parelli method. What I have been able to accomplish with that is amazing!!!! I would suggest that if you are wanting to do this yourself (and never having done this before) I would suggest looking into Parelli or another homestudy type program that will walk you through it step by step. Go to http://www.Parelli.com You can find his level 1 (which is all you would need of the knowledge to go through ground and under saddle) on e-bay for much cheaper! Just check it out on the website first so you know exactly what you are looking for.
This isn’t going to be a good surprise for your dad……..
Since you really have no knowledge on training, why do you think you can? It isn’t like the magic training fairy comes down upon you and your horse and blesses you with saddle skills.
All of the skills that any trainer has learned come with experience and under a professional. Rarely has anyone ever started their horse by themselves and successfully done it. You will always have roadblocks, always have bad days and you need to know how to solve those.
I’m sure your dad loves you and I can assure you that this is not what he would want for a surprise from you. Especially if you get pummelled and hurt. The best thing you can do is learn from your dad. Tell your dad you have this awesome horse you want to break and can he help you. I bet his head would swell so big and he would be ecstatic.
I’m not trying to be rude, I’m a parent and if my son ever did something like that, i would come unglued. My son is training with me supervising. We have animals too small for me to ride, so he is doing it. However, I am there looking over him every single minute.
Don’t do this to your dad hun, just ask him for help, that will be the best surprise for him.
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Please Please get your dad or a trainer to help you. I would hate for your dad to get a surprise ER bill. Like Mule reiner said he would be so thrilled if you asked for his help!! Good Luck !!
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