best way to warm up a young horse?

JoAnne · 03-03-2007, 03:12 PM

hi all. Anyone with experience with bringing along young ones...I just bough a lovely horse a month ago. He is 41/2 and has been under saddle 4 months. He grew up on the range and has only been handled for the last 6 months. (he was initally broke Western, I am riding him english, he adapted no problem) He has a tendancy to spook/startle but is making progress. he has a great attitude and does not try to run or buck etc. I am on my own with him till I can move him a month later close to where my instructior is. He has that young energy and tries to run through my hands and will stop when asked but tends to not want to slow down at the trot and sometimes at canter. I decided to just trot him for the next few weeks but today he broke into a canter and I let him just for fun.

Question: am I better off letting him trot and canter kind of loosely around the first five or ten mintues to let him blow off steam, then ask him to mind me more? Or should I ask him right from the moment we get out there to control his pace, not break into a canter etc.

( PS I am lunging him before I ride him and that helps he is quiet on lunge line almost lazy, his energy comes out when ridden. ) thanks!

texagal7 · 03-03-2007, 03:27 PM

I would stop him from doing this, to my way of thinking he is not respecting your authority, remember you are the boss when you are handling him or riding him. This problem will persist unless you nip it in the butt.

AfleetAlex · 03-03-2007, 03:57 PM

I'm no expert, but i own a 4 year old. She is part arabian and has TONS of energy. Seriously, i have only seen her actually tired once in her life. I usually let her run on her own in the arena, if its free. I don't know if you have that option, but i do that and then i groom her. She always comes back hot after a run and she relaxes when i groom/handle her. Then i tack up and ride. Depending on her energy level, i either walk for a while, or i walk around once and then ask her to trot. She does fine and knows that when i'm on, its business time. Sure she tries stuff like bucking and bolting, but she is coming along quickly because i don't let her have any serious play time while i'm on. Now her play time is jumping and doing something new. It might be different with other horses, but this works for me. I also keep things interesting and mixed up. Like i said, i am not an expert. This is my first horse and this is what works for her because she is a "hotter" breed. She is a good girl and knows who is on her back. I've let kids sit on her and she had been great with them.

Good luck!

royaldakotabreez · 03-03-2007, 07:49 PM

i probably would have to say no, just so that he doesn't get used to doing what he wants instead of what you want. JMO

JoAnne · 03-03-2007, 09:08 PM

that is what I was afraid of...him getting used to having his way.

I lunge him first. he also gets turned out every day and per barn owner runs around. But he still is eager to break into a canter when I trot him and also wants to just trot faster and faster.

My choice is, is it better to allow a five minute warm up time where I canter him loosely around, then after that get down to business and insist he just trot, ( my plan for the next few weeks, till he relaxes and slows down and listens to me at the trot)

Or, from the moment I enter the ring, insist he do what I want, and not worry that he is frustrated because he hasn't gotten rid of eager energy?

**taelesean** · 03-03-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoAnne

Question: am I better off letting him trot and canter kind of loosely around the first five or ten mintues to let him blow off steam, then ask him to mind me more? Or should I ask him right from the moment we get out there to control his pace, not break into a canter etc.

( PS I am lunging him before I ride him and that helps he is quiet on lunge line almost lazy, his energy comes out when ridden. ) thanks!

You should control his pace right from the start - make him stand for a minute after you mount, maybe practice your flexion. Then go for a little walk, some trot, and finally a cantor - Its ok to cantor, as long as it's YOUR idea

and once you ask for a cantor, keep him doing it until just after it stops being easy for him. He'll learn its easier to let you do the thinking.

Lazy on the lungeline + hot undersaddle = disrespect

A J · 03-04-2007, 12:10 AM

With young horses, I let them "blow off steam" on the lunge or in the round pen for the first few minutes (time varies by horse, age, and experience). We then "get down to business" once they can focus on me. I do NOT let them do this under saddle!

If he needs to run for a few minutes when you first start lunging/roundpenning him, let him go at a pace he is comfortable (running away with you does not count), but don't allow that behavior once the side reins are attached or you are on his back. Those things mean "work" and "listen".

Even my coming 4 year old Arab, who I had not ridden since October, after some roundpenning I went and got on again the other day - yes, I expected to have to deal with some sillies (especially since I did NOT round pen with the saddle on prior to getting on), but that does NOT mean I "allowed" the behavior - it was dealt with in a manner that said, "yes, you're fresh and we haven't done this for awhile, but it is NOT okay". Granted, this horse is pretty level headed and easy to train, but that would not have changed how I handled the situation (there are plenty of horses I would not have gotten on that day, but this guy is just one of those who I will).

They need to understand that when you are on them, they must pay attention.

JoAnne · 03-04-2007, 08:13 AM

thanks for all your advice! I do tend to be too permissive sometimes. Where I will be boarding there is no round pen, so I won't have that option, the horse is lazy on the lunge line but I can try pushing him harder.

He does not so much try to run off when I ride as just kind of tune me out...trot faster, break into a canter etc. he is so sweet and so comfortable I was letting him get away with it! Duh on me. so I will either push him to canter more on the lunge line, or, (will experiment) ask for a canter early on in the session, make him do it till he is tired. Then after that I will make him mind me. I suppose it is better to make him mind for me a shorter session, say 20 minutes, then let him get away with stuff ofr 40 minutes? (what I was doing, hoping he would get worn out, only I was the one who got worn out, lol)

horses19201 · 03-04-2007, 12:53 PM

My guess would be he is bluffing laziness on the lungline. I would try lunging him a little harder for warm ups.

HorseTrainer4fun · 03-04-2007, 01:41 PM

what i do to warm up my horses is to walk on the lunge line for about five minutes to loosen up. then i ask them to trot at a controled slow trot so they don't injury anything by going to fast. i do that for about another 5 to 7 minutes and then i ask them to trot almost to the brink of cantering until they start to settle in which takes about 10 minutes. while doing that i reverse as they are trotting. then i warm them up the same way when i am riding them. but go as fast as you want not the horse wants. if you let them warm up themsevles, by going as fast as they want then when you do want them to listen then they will think that they don't have to listen. that would only create more problems. so that is my take on it i hope that it helps.

royaldakotabreez · 03-04-2007, 02:47 PM

maybe if he starts to "tune you out" ask for a stop, then maybe work on backing up and flexion and giving to the bit? that's what i try to do if the horse i'm riding stops listening to me...maybe try going to a point where he does listen to you and work your way back up?

JoAnne · 03-08-2007, 06:31 PM

thanks guys for all the help it is going better!

03-03-2007, 03:12 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	best way to warm up a young horse? hi all. Anyone with experience with bringing along young ones...I just bough a lovely horse a month ago. He is 41/2 and has been under saddle 4 months. He grew up on the range and has only been handled for the last 6 months. (he was initally broke Western, I am riding him english, he adapted no problem) He has a tendancy to spook/startle but is making progress. he has a great attitude and does not try to run or buck etc. I am on my own with him till I can move him a month later close to where my instructior is. He has that young energy and tries to run through my hands and will stop when asked but tends to not want to slow down at the trot and sometimes at canter. I decided to just trot him for the next few weeks but today he broke into a canter and I let him just for fun. Question: am I better off letting him trot and canter kind of loosely around the first five or ten mintues to let him blow off steam, then ask him to mind me more? Or should I ask him right from the moment we get out there to control his pace, not break into a canter etc. ( PS I am lunging him before I ride him and that helps he is quiet on lunge line almost lazy, his energy comes out when ridden. ) thanks!

03-03-2007, 03:27 PM
texagal7 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 342	I would stop him from doing this, to my way of thinking he is not respecting your authority, remember you are the boss when you are handling him or riding him. This problem will persist unless you nip it in the butt.

03-03-2007, 03:57 PM
AfleetAlex Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United States Posts: 159	I'm no expert, but i own a 4 year old. She is part arabian and has TONS of energy. Seriously, i have only seen her actually tired once in her life. I usually let her run on her own in the arena, if its free. I don't know if you have that option, but i do that and then i groom her. She always comes back hot after a run and she relaxes when i groom/handle her. Then i tack up and ride. Depending on her energy level, i either walk for a while, or i walk around once and then ask her to trot. She does fine and knows that when i'm on, its business time. Sure she tries stuff like bucking and bolting, but she is coming along quickly because i don't let her have any serious play time while i'm on. Now her play time is jumping and doing something new. It might be different with other horses, but this works for me. I also keep things interesting and mixed up. Like i said, i am not an expert. This is my first horse and this is what works for her because she is a "hotter" breed. She is a good girl and knows who is on her back. I've let kids sit on her and she had been great with them. Good luck!

03-03-2007, 07:49 PM
royaldakotabreez Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. Dak Posts: 530	i probably would have to say no, just so that he doesn't get used to doing what he wants instead of what you want. JMO

03-03-2007, 09:08 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	that is what I was afraid of...him getting used to having his way. I lunge him first. he also gets turned out every day and per barn owner runs around. But he still is eager to break into a canter when I trot him and also wants to just trot faster and faster. My choice is, is it better to allow a five minute warm up time where I canter him loosely around, then after that get down to business and insist he just trot, ( my plan for the next few weeks, till he relaxes and slows down and listens to me at the trot) Or, from the moment I enter the ring, insist he do what I want, and not worry that he is frustrated because he hasn't gotten rid of eager energy?

03-04-2007, 12:10 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,476	With young horses, I let them "blow off steam" on the lunge or in the round pen for the first few minutes (time varies by horse, age, and experience). We then "get down to business" once they can focus on me. I do NOT let them do this under saddle! If he needs to run for a few minutes when you first start lunging/roundpenning him, let him go at a pace he is comfortable (running away with you does not count), but don't allow that behavior once the side reins are attached or you are on his back. Those things mean "work" and "listen". Even my coming 4 year old Arab, who I had not ridden since October, after some roundpenning I went and got on again the other day - yes, I expected to have to deal with some sillies (especially since I did NOT round pen with the saddle on prior to getting on), but that does NOT mean I "allowed" the behavior - it was dealt with in a manner that said, "yes, you're fresh and we haven't done this for awhile, but it is NOT okay". Granted, this horse is pretty level headed and easy to train, but that would not have changed how I handled the situation (there are plenty of horses I would not have gotten on that day, but this guy is just one of those who I will). They need to understand that when you are on them, they must pay attention. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

03-04-2007, 08:13 AM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	thanks for all your advice! I do tend to be too permissive sometimes. Where I will be boarding there is no round pen, so I won't have that option, the horse is lazy on the lunge line but I can try pushing him harder. He does not so much try to run off when I ride as just kind of tune me out...trot faster, break into a canter etc. he is so sweet and so comfortable I was letting him get away with it! Duh on me. so I will either push him to canter more on the lunge line, or, (will experiment) ask for a canter early on in the session, make him do it till he is tired. Then after that I will make him mind me. I suppose it is better to make him mind for me a shorter session, say 20 minutes, then let him get away with stuff ofr 40 minutes? (what I was doing, hoping he would get worn out, only I was the one who got worn out, lol)

03-04-2007, 12:53 PM
horses19201 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 681	My guess would be he is bluffing laziness on the lungline. I would try lunging him a little harder for warm ups. __________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup ~Maggie~

03-04-2007, 01:41 PM
HorseTrainer4fun Newborn Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 4	Warming up what i do to warm up my horses is to walk on the lunge line for about five minutes to loosen up. then i ask them to trot at a controled slow trot so they don't injury anything by going to fast. i do that for about another 5 to 7 minutes and then i ask them to trot almost to the brink of cantering until they start to settle in which takes about 10 minutes. while doing that i reverse as they are trotting. then i warm them up the same way when i am riding them. but go as fast as you want not the horse wants. if you let them warm up themsevles, by going as fast as they want then when you do want them to listen then they will think that they don't have to listen. that would only create more problems. so that is my take on it i hope that it helps.

03-04-2007, 02:47 PM
royaldakotabreez Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S. Dak Posts: 530	maybe if he starts to "tune you out" ask for a stop, then maybe work on backing up and flexion and giving to the bit? that's what i try to do if the horse i'm riding stops listening to me...maybe try going to a point where he does listen to you and work your way back up?

03-08-2007, 06:31 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	thanks guys for all the help it is going better!