Advice needed on training

illiniequine · 10-13-2006, 01:22 PM

Okay now, we recently got a horse given to us by a lady who can no longer afford to keep her, nor giver her proper care. This horse is 3 years old, she is 16.1, QH cross, and hasn't had a bit of training on her. She had never seen a halter, let alone a saddle. She doesn't even have a name yet.

Working with a horse, completely new to everything is like a foreign language to me. I know that I should take it slow, and not to rush everything, but I don't really know where to start. And I would like to avoid the expense of a trainer and learn for myself for future benefits.

Definate advice, is needed.
Here is a picture of her, gorgeous girl, and name suggestions are welcome!

EquineAlberta · 10-13-2006, 01:34 PM

A Parelli or Clinton Anderson type program may be fun for you and her, and give you some confidence in the steps you take with her.

She is beautiful, and although unhandled, at least you know that means she hasn't been mishandled either! Think of her as a blank slate just waiting to be written on.

Karen2

A J · 10-13-2006, 01:39 PM

As long as she hasn't been handled, it won't be too bad - the problems really come in when you have a horse who has been barely handled, and not correctly when it was done...I dealt with one for a couple weeks, and that was a nightmare.

Since she's been left to her own devices, I would think that one of the horsemanship programs would work well for both of you, help her gain the confidence, and give you some specific steps to follow!

Good luck, she sure is a pretty girl!

Perrys_mama · 10-13-2006, 01:40 PM

I am having GREAT luck with the Parelli Level 1 DVD set. I bought a baby draft cross (paint too

) and we're both learning about training together. However you feel about Parelli, the program is safe, seems to be effective, easy and complete. You get a ton of materials for the price, and I find the explanations quite detailed, even at this level.

My little guy was wild when I got him, and now he follows my cues about 80% of the time...and instead of bolting around the pasture when I arrive, he will occasionally come to greet me, or on bad days, wander around to test my patience. No more bucking, no more kicks in my direction. We are really starting to form a partnership!

Parelli is also really good for general training safety...no matter how experienced you are, it is always good to have safety at the forefront, and the videos remind you constantly about safe positioning, attitude etc...even though my guy has had a few little upsets (and a few big ones), I've never come close to being kicked, striked, trampled or bitten. And that is saying a lot for someone who has never trained before!

**gbarmranch** · 10-13-2006, 01:53 PM

We purchased five yearlings this May in the same boat...Never been handled. We did a lot of round pen work with them, and by July all but one was easy to halter and work with. The last one was fine by August. We have also done the same thing with two and three year olds we have purchased. Time, patience, round pen work - within hours for some of them, they would halter and lead...I personally would say the CA way is the way to go - but you need to find the way that you feel the most comfortable with...

Good luck - she is a very pretty mare! You could always name her Lucky!!!

kilverstone · 10-15-2006, 11:30 AM

I'm not in quite the same situation as you, I have a 10 yo QH (who acts like a TB) and I didn't know much about his background or previous training. He does english and western and even jumping but I'm starting at the very beginning with him. I decided I wanted to build a relationship based on trust with the horse and in order to do that I am starting with groundwork. I have several books/videos I am utilizing right now, including Monty Roberts, John Lyons and Pat Parelli. I suggest starting with one of their basics videos. Round pen work is a great way to start. Yesterday I did exactly as Monty Roberts does in his video Join Up and was able to have Casper come to me. Eventually I would hope that I won't have to go through the running process and that he will trust me enough to follow but we're taking baby steps right now. He gets distracted easily and likes to try and be the boss but I would say with patience, calmness and understanding your horse could be started under saddle in a couple of days. Definitely read and study up on some of the natural horsemanship techniques, they are wonderful because you learn to think like a horse and learn to look for certain responses and bits of body language from the animal. Good luck!

10-13-2006, 01:22 PM
illiniequine Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 217	Advice needed on training Okay now, we recently got a horse given to us by a lady who can no longer afford to keep her, nor giver her proper care. This horse is 3 years old, she is 16.1, QH cross, and hasn't had a bit of training on her. She had never seen a halter, let alone a saddle. She doesn't even have a name yet. Working with a horse, completely new to everything is like a foreign language to me. I know that I should take it slow, and not to rush everything, but I don't really know where to start. And I would like to avoid the expense of a trainer and learn for myself for future benefits. Definate advice, is needed. Here is a picture of her, gorgeous girl, and name suggestions are welcome! Last edited by illiniequine : 01-22-2008 at 11:52 AM.

10-13-2006, 01:34 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,693	A Parelli or Clinton Anderson type program may be fun for you and her, and give you some confidence in the steps you take with her. She is beautiful, and although unhandled, at least you know that means she hasn't been mishandled either! Think of her as a blank slate just waiting to be written on. Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

10-13-2006, 01:39 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,477	As long as she hasn't been handled, it won't be too bad - the problems really come in when you have a horse who has been barely handled, and not correctly when it was done...I dealt with one for a couple weeks, and that was a nightmare. Since she's been left to her own devices, I would think that one of the horsemanship programs would work well for both of you, help her gain the confidence, and give you some specific steps to follow! Good luck, she sure is a pretty girl! __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

10-13-2006, 01:40 PM
Perrys_mama Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 887	I am having GREAT luck with the Parelli Level 1 DVD set. I bought a baby draft cross (paint too ) and we're both learning about training together. However you feel about Parelli, the program is safe, seems to be effective, easy and complete. You get a ton of materials for the price, and I find the explanations quite detailed, even at this level. My little guy was wild when I got him, and now he follows my cues about 80% of the time...and instead of bolting around the pasture when I arrive, he will occasionally come to greet me, or on bad days, wander around to test my patience. No more bucking, no more kicks in my direction. We are really starting to form a partnership! Parelli is also really good for general training safety...no matter how experienced you are, it is always good to have safety at the forefront, and the videos remind you constantly about safe positioning, attitude etc...even though my guy has had a few little upsets (and a few big ones), I've never come close to being kicked, striked, trampled or bitten. And that is saying a lot for someone who has never trained before!

10-13-2006, 01:53 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	We purchased five yearlings this May in the same boat...Never been handled. We did a lot of round pen work with them, and by July all but one was easy to halter and work with. The last one was fine by August. We have also done the same thing with two and three year olds we have purchased. Time, patience, round pen work - within hours for some of them, they would halter and lead...I personally would say the CA way is the way to go - but you need to find the way that you feel the most comfortable with... Good luck - she is a very pretty mare! You could always name her Lucky!!! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

10-15-2006, 11:30 AM
kilverstone Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 94	I'm not in quite the same situation as you, I have a 10 yo QH (who acts like a TB) and I didn't know much about his background or previous training. He does english and western and even jumping but I'm starting at the very beginning with him. I decided I wanted to build a relationship based on trust with the horse and in order to do that I am starting with groundwork. I have several books/videos I am utilizing right now, including Monty Roberts, John Lyons and Pat Parelli. I suggest starting with one of their basics videos. Round pen work is a great way to start. Yesterday I did exactly as Monty Roberts does in his video Join Up and was able to have Casper come to me. Eventually I would hope that I won't have to go through the running process and that he will trust me enough to follow but we're taking baby steps right now. He gets distracted easily and likes to try and be the boss but I would say with patience, calmness and understanding your horse could be started under saddle in a couple of days. Definitely read and study up on some of the natural horsemanship techniques, they are wonderful because you learn to think like a horse and learn to look for certain responses and bits of body language from the animal. Good luck!