Training young horse. Help please. :)

[cobloopy]

HI

I have just got a rising 4 yr old on loan quite by accident as his the elderly man who bred him has had to go into hospital.
I have been riding quite some time but dont consider myself able to teach this young horse correctly and would like a bit of help.
He has been backed and ridden away but needs more training. I have my own land but no school although i could section a part of the field off.
Do you think it's better to send him away or get a trainer to come to me. He is quite a sensitive lad but has such a good tempremant - I just dont want to make the wrong decision and spoil him!

Thanks!!

[tillynz]

Hey im in the same boat as you, just brought a rising 4 also, about the same level of training.

Im having a go at it myself, but plently of friends who ride are keeping an eye on me, and i am going to be having regular lessons also.

I think as long as you have people who can help you with direction you will be ok. Often the hardest thing is "what do I teach them first"

As long as you are confident, firm and kind, you will be ok.

[KateWooten]

You can do it yourself .... and you can do a better job long-term by doing it yourself than by sending him away to someone else. Ok, I need to clarify that. A first-time trainer, trying to learn as they go, can not produce a horse anything like as finished as a professional trainer can... but then that new trained horse goes back to his untrained owner, who hasn't had chance to learn much about a very green horse. OTOH if you start him yourself, you know exactly what he can and can't do yet ... what his weaknesses are, where are the holes in your relationship etc etc etc.

I would say, though, learn everything you can first, decide on a 'program' and stick to it. There is no point in reinventing the wheel - people have been training horses for thousands of years, and by following the best of what other people have learnt, you can become even better than them !!! OK, maybe that's too ambitious, but you can always dream.

I stick with Clinton Anderson's ideas because it's very simple, easy to follow and cheap to get into. Also, he's not so dogmatic as some - pretty much once you've picked up the principle and how to 'up the pressure' then you've got it, and you can solve pretty much whatever problem you come up against. There are a bunch of other programs you can follow too - it almost doesn't matter which you choose, as long as you choose something and stick with it til you know better.

Here's some encouragement for you: this is joePony - he's rising 4 and I've had him a year now ... this picture was taken today, at his first ever show ... it was his 2nd time in his trailer, and 2nd time ever in an arena :) It's not the best picture in the world, and it doesn't show you how he did in his dressage test ... I just want to show it to you because you can see the results of working with your own youngster if you study hard and really put your mind to it - the result - really happy 4 yr old pony, and totally besoted and happy 40 yr old me !!!http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f135/joePony/warm-up.jpg. You can do it too :)
Kate and joePony

[Wally]

It ain't rocket science, everyone has their fiorst horse to train up, it does seem daunting to start with.

All I'd do is happy hack on him, potter about the countryside and before you know where you are you'll have a very well educated, rounded person to ride.

A friend does not have a school to work in, she does all her training out and about, she is British Icelandic Dressage Champion. And the test you are required to do includes turn on the forhand and leg yeild and shoulder in!

Just get out there and stop worrying about whether you are worthy to do this task and enjoy it first and foremost. ;)

[cobloopy]

Thanks everyone. It's what i needed to hear.
I have started doing groundwork with him and have roped a friend in to help when i get on board for the first time. I know he's already been backed but better safe than sorry.
It's silly because i'm expecting him to be really naughty before i've even ridden him and the poor lad has only ever been as good as gold!
I will stop worrying and start enjoying - hopefully we will have piccies soon.

Thanks Again. :)

[Purple Hugs]

Ooh good luck! i'll be reading with interest! :P

We have a 2 year old, and our first ever pony to 'work with' in good time. Have a great RI who has backed and trained a lot of horses to help us too. :)

[Wally]

My trouble is I always assume they will be perfect, it always come as a bit of a shock when they play up!

I suppose I get away with a lot just being confident and assuming.