For people who break/start horses....please read

[dufuswimp]

I am writing an article outlining a few of the most popular techniques used today to break/start horses, to inform people briefly what is involved in each, and the pros and cons of each etc.

The reason for this article is because not long ago people just sent their youngster to the local breaking yard or something similar, but now it is easy to get confused with all the different training techniques available and not know what to do.

The methods I am outlining are:

Tradtional (BHS)
Classical
Monty Roberts
Parelli
Clicker Training

I know there are many more but I felt these were the most well known and give quite a broad range. I will mention that there are more, and that many trainers will use a combination of methods.

Anway... does anyone here break/start horses using any of these methods specifically or know anyone that does that would be willing to talk to me?

I need to know why you choose to use this method, and what it is about it that you think makes it the best.

Either reply on here or email me dufuswimp@yahoo.co.uk

It is for my dissertation/major project of my degree, but I may try and get it published when I leave uni in May.

Thanks!

[Esther.D]

Well I'm not much help as I tend to use a kind of mixture of my own :rolleyes: I have been using Parelli recently to good effect but have not been religious about it and have also been using what I suppose you would call more traditional techniques...only mine includes a LOT of longreining whether I am breaking to ride or drive as I am used to working with driving ponies and do all my schooling on longreins anyway.

So that is not much help, sorry. Good Luck with the dissertation though :)

[dufuswimp]

Hi Esther,

Most people use a combination of methods I think. I do so myself. It's hard to find people that follow only one method but I need quotes from them!

Thanks for replying and for the luck :)

[Mehitabel]

i have my own method, which i suppose is BHS? when i talked about it in my exams the examiner seemed pleased. if you want to mail me with speciifcs about what you mean by each method, i'd be happy to help if i fit in.
es (at) historicalfact.com.

["GEMMA_FROST"]

Hi!
I also use a mixture of the methods. I experiment and find the techniques that each individual horse I work with responds best to. But I do focus mainly on Pat Parelli as that is what my farrier introduced me to when He started working with my 2 and a 1/2 year old filly, but it was excellent for all my horses, especially our ex-racers as it gets them the confidence not to be touchy and spooky when I ask them to do things, it also makes them not so jumpy with leg aids.
I find that the Pat Parelli method really gets a trust relationship built with your horse.Lots of people comment on just how much my 7yo ex-racer trusts me when jumping, he has hardly no confidence and when something does go wrong ie, a refusal at a jump, it's almost as if he will forget about it and won't hold it against me for making a mistake.
Hope this is somehow how useful to you, good luck!!

[crazyhorse25600]

i think most people break or back horses using which ever techinque suits the horse at the time,
i judge the horse from the ground doing alot of ground work,i have used old style ,monty roberts,clicker training etc ..in bring horses on
i think you have to judge the horse to which way you handle it,some are easy and others can take months and months,
it also depends on there past experiences i try and get as much history as posible on the horse before i start with them,[not always avaliable]
alot of horses i have in at times are so called problem horses which can be very different
alot are frightened and don't understand what you are doing i find join up and clicker training great with these sorts,and loads of time
and others i have had in are ruling the roost with there owners and are taking advantage of them in all ways,so i find the old stye useful for these setting rules and regulations so they don't start getting bad habits and there own way,
but saying this i have a real charmer in at the minute that someone dropped me off that has a mind of his own and hes taking some working out,
see my other tread!
well hope this helps you

[chev]

I suppose I use mostly the accepted BHS methods too. I don't round-pen, or join-up, or clicker train, although elements from other methods are introduced if neccessary.

Generally it's a fairly long process - starts with getting halter training sorted (walk and trot in-hand, back up, move over, stand) which is usually pretty early. From there when a horse is ready I introduce a bit, then a roller, teach lunging and long-reining (tend to use long-reining more than lunging now though). Long-rein over poles, through poles, introduce side-reins. Introduce saddle. More ground work in a saddle and bridle, then start leaning over. Work up to sitting up, and from there to actually riding.

Ok so that's an incredibly abridged version, but it's an idea anyway. From introducing tack to actually riding takes an average of say two or three months usually (does depend on how much handling the horse has had before I start though). Then we move on to actually schooling.

[Lgd]

For me the breaking in process starts once baby is a few days old - introducing to a headcollar, gradually learning to lead with Mum, being brushed, feet handled and picked up, learning to stand up in hand. All done for a few minutes a day without any undue pressure. Visit farrier with Mum and have feet picked up and tidied.

Once weaned - a little daily handling in the field - catch, check over, pick up feet.

As a yearling teach them to walk and trot in hand. I usually do an in-hand class at the two local County shows so they would also learn to accept a rug and travelling boots and to load into a trailer and/or horsebox. I usually start 'work' about 6 weeks before the first show and then turn away again immediately after. Daily handling in the field still - I also show off the field, they are only brought in for short spells during the day for preparation work. Regular foot care with the farrier.

As a 2 yo and 3yo much the same process, although I would introduce a bit with the 2yo for the showing. I usually start long reining them two or three times a week as late 2yo. Summer of the 3yo year introduce some light lunging and a saddle - again two or three times a week. If they are physically quite mature I will lightly back them in the autumn - walk, trot and basic steering and then turn away for the winter. If less mature I would wait until they are ready before backing.

February of 4yo year pick up the lunging and long-reining and then for those already backed pick up the ridden work. I would aim to be ready to do some Prelim tests by the April/May in this situation.

I think the key to it all is flexibility and allowing the horse to progress at the correct pace. Peri (my older mare) was physically very immature and I didn't back her until she was 4½yo.

Tavia (the younger mare) was bought backed, but was prepared in much the same way except for the showing aspect and was backed as a just 4yo in the May - I bought her in the September. It is notable thet she is a much spookier horse than Peri - I think the light showing at 2yo and 3yo is very educational and they learn that the outside world is not so scary.

I do loose school and loose jump mine. All of mine have 'joined up' - and did so long before Monty Roberts et al became popular - Peri used to follow me round the field as a 3 month old foal :D