Posts Tagged ‘Ground Training’
New Herd Leader for Tru Native
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you sooooo much for the phone call consultation two days ago and all the links about training, it has been a great education for me. Here is my story for the website success stories, and what a success it has turned out to be, thanks to you…
These last two weeks have been quite confusing and chaotic for both myself and Tru Native aka “Truman”. I was so busy being a loving and caring Mom to him, wanting him to feel comfortable in his new life, he figured that he needed to keep up his role of the “herd leader”. He could tell from day one immediately that I was not, which turned bad quite quickly as he is extremely intelligent!! Also, which did not help the situation was the training progressing WAY too fast, i.e., lunging with side reins, the lunge-line over the poll (which turned the bit into a gag!! OMG!!), and pushing him to try to canter on a 20 meter circle, all me, unknowingly, and my trainer’s mistakes, lead Truman to become very frustrated, upset and he even started throwing tantrums. So each day became worse and he started pushing me around, rearing on the lunge, getting in my space, and pulling away on the lunge-line, dragging my trainer all across the arena to the aisle door, pushing his way through each and every door or gate he could muster.
Tru Native Learns who is the "Tru Leader".
The one thing that did not change was his dynamic, sweet way he had to be so loving, he even calls out to me when I come into the barn. He never kicked out or was intentionally mean during all of this commotion, a sign that he is really a SUPER, level-headed horse. We definitely love each other tons, but I knew I needed the help of Elizabeth and something had to change. I never once, though, regretted buying this horse through all of this, because I knew I was doing something wrong and it could be corrected efficiently and quickly, if I just knew what it was!!!!
I needed to be the “HERD LEADER”!!!! and get tough and firm about his pushing me around. I had to give right back and even harder, and more swiftly than he gave. You know what, IT WORKED. He is so smart and a quick learner, and most of all wanted and needed a leader, almost seems relieved now. I have taught him to back up from doors and wait while I open them, and claim them as my own. He is to wait until I allow him to make a move, if he doesn’t he gets a HARD whack on the shoulder. It has only taken once or twice and now he is patient at gates and doors. He also stands completely still at the mounting block while I get on. And… waits for my signal to walk off.
Tru Native and his herd leader, Lauren.
In the beginning, before I talked with Elizabeth, when I rode off from the mounting block, he would turn and run back to the door that leads out to the aisle. I tried to turn him the other way, and it did work, but he always wanted to get back to that door and would protest, trying to scare me. After, my phone call with Elizabeth, we don’t have any of that anymore. I followed through with the HARD smack on the shoulder with a stiff crop when he would turn toward the door. Now, he has given that up, because he knows that he made the wrong CHOICE to do that and there is a consequence now. I let him CHOOSE to make the right decision and praise like crazy, or the wrong decision followed with annoying him anyway I can. He has been so much fun to ride, even though we still swerve a bit, but he is getting better everyday!! No cantering yet, just getting him stronger and happy in his work.
I know the road ahead will be filled with new obstacles, but I know have a great support system in Elizabeth and this time won’t hesitate to call for help and not wait until things get so bad. So, Tru is still my baby but a baby with rules, regulations, and limitations. I have learned that every time I go into his stall, I am teaching him something and have to be consistent from the get-go for him to become a good-horse-citizen!! I am so happy with his progress and am so proud of myself. You were right, Elizabeth, I can do this myself. Your encouragement means the world to me!!
Attached are some new photos of us and my first “official” ride as Truman’s boss.
New Herd Leader,
Lauren
Elizabeth’s Note: Wow! I wish everyone could read this Success Story and learn from it. Off-the-track Thoroughbreds are no different than any other horse breed when it comes to training. The natural horsemen trainers all say the same thing. It is most important that you to take charge and be the leader. How you do it will vary from horse to horse, situation to situation but the basic concept is to make it easy for the horse to do what you ask, and difficult for him if he does not choose to cooperate.
More than anything, the horse just wants to get along and be a part of your herd. If you do not take charge and become the leader, he will. In the wild, it can mean life or death to the horse is the herd leader is weak. The second horse in the herd (beta) will always challenge the leader (alpha) to make sure the leader can lead and protect the herd. If you show weakness, don’t be surprised if your horse gets bossy and difficult. If you are afraid of your horse, get help or get another horse.
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Tru Native aka "Truman" | 
Tags: Ground Training, Lunging, Training, Training Notes
Is This Normal?
Tru Native learns to lunge.
Hi Elizabeth,
Today I had my first “official” ride on my beautiful boy Tru Native. Just walking though, or should I say swerving all over the place!! He has been doing quite well in most aspects and I do have some questions and need some advice from you. I figured your the best person to ask for help because of your great expertise!!
Let me explain what has been going on the last eight days. The first few days I just lunged him with the help of my trainer, Jaime. Truman is very “stall sour” so to speak. And I understand why, I think. Let me know if you agree. Since he has lived alone for about a year with no rules, no horses, and no limitations, he is having a harder time dealing with the “new rules and work”. He LOVES his stall and my grooming and constant attention. When we go into the indoor, or out to his paddock for that matter, he seems uneasy and wants to get back to his stall. Do you think this is because he lived outside and he loves his new stall and safe area and is worried that it might go away? When we go to lunge in the indoor, he pulls, sometimes very hard, dragging us to the door which leads to the isle. He is VERY strong. I always bring him back to the lunging spot, calmly, and start over. He is having trouble cantering as well, and we are not pushing this at all. Small steps. He has been getting better each day, but still has that tendency to want to get out that door and pull out of the circle, with front legs stomping on the ground, like a child having a temper-tantrum!! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Tru Native aka "Truman" |
Tags: Ground Training, Lunging, Natural Horsemanship, Training Notes
Retraining Thoroughbreds Takes Time and Patience
Hi Elizabeth,
Hi, how are you? Hope all is well on your end, just a quick note to let you know Shaman (Little Silic) is doing great. We have been very busy and he has earned himself a brand new saddle, I ended up buying the Stubben Genesis Deluxe with the Biomex, and just like you said, Stubben makes a great saddle. It is so comfortable and I love it!!
Little Silic has put on weight and filled out since he was a Prospect Horse For Sale on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site in 2007.
I am attaching a pic of my baby he looks much better than he did coming from the racetrack, it definitely takes a little time to see the changes occur, you will be happy to hear I am finally back in the saddle after the last two years of medical issues. He is so great. He is getting so good, that I am close to not being able to lunge him before riding. He gets it — he’s incredibly smart, even when he’s feeling good. He respects the cues and knows his job.
He has become VERY lazy in the ring, Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Little Silic aka "Shaman" |
Tags: Ground Training, Natural Horsemanship, Prospect Horse, Training
Cortableau in the “Lap of Luxury”
I sat on the mounting block in the round pen, and he came over, put his head down for a scratch, then pretty much put his head in my lap.
Cortableau is doing great! He’s met everyone over the fence, and I put our little Appy mare in with him for a while. He kicked out but didn’t make contact, and she loves everyone, so she didn’t care. I put him in one of the pastures yesterday, and he enjoyed the grass while no one got excited about anything. Then I worked with him a little in the round pen; he seems to be moving fine. He catches on very quickly and is so calm. He is also extremely polite – walks with you nicely, waits while you put his food down, etc. I sat on the mounting block in the round pen, and he came over, put his head down for a scratch, then pretty much put his head in my lap. He stood there by me for about an hour while I was on the phone with Leslie. Another phenomenal Bits&Bytes horse!
Take care,
Laura
OTTB Gold’s Anatomy Excels at Natural Horsemanship Clinic
Hi Elizabeth!
I just wanted to give you a quick update on Goldie (Gold’s Anatomy). Laura has been working him pretty consistently now that the weather has been cooperating and he is doing fantastic. She’s taken a few lessons on him and her trainer, who was VERY skeptical of us getting a horse without going to see him first, was quite impressed. He is such a pretty mover and is starting to get very soft and round.
This past weekend Laura’s Pony Club had a three day Karen Scholl natural horsemanship clinic and Laura took Goldie. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Gold's Anatomy |
Tags: Ground Training, Natural Horsemanship, Prospect Horse
Two Years Off-the-Track! Dr. Kenny Winn
Two years….wow! It’s been an amazing and satisfying journey thus far! And, what can I say that I haven’t said already about this wonderful horse?
In the two years since Dr. Kenny Winn aka “Kwinn” joined our family, he’s had numerous transitions – three barns, three trainers, and many new horse friends and routines to adjust to. But, the one thing that he has always been able to count on has been my presence in his life. I’ve learned just how important that is to these horses as I’ve helped him adjust to each new transition. You can see it in his eyes when I’m with him. He knows he is safe with me, he counts on me to be there for him and help him through each new chapter. And, he’s helped me too!
I got back into riding as a way to relax and relieve stress. Along the way, I’ve been transported back in time to relive some wonderful memories…..getting my first pony, my first show horse, my first win…you get the picture. I’ve loved every minute of my trip down memory lane.
With Kwinn, I’m making new memories. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Dr Kenny Winn aka "Kwinn" |
Tags: Ground Training, Lunging, Prospect Horse
Maverick on the Move!
Light Artillery is an ex-race horse gotten off-the-track by Bits & Bytes Farm. Click on this image to see his photo gallery.
Helloooo All!
Long time, no update, but boy o boy has there been a lot happening.
For starts, moved back to GA/FL In the last few months – Light Artillery aka “Maverick” has done SO MUCH! From camping, to tracking cows and day long trail rides, but I think his favorite has been being the biggest baby of the family. Everyone just falls in Love with the boy. I’m sending pictures of some of his family. Of course Reba is his blonde babe.
Light Artillery is now named "Maverick" and he has a girl friend.
In these first pictures he let little Amanda (I’m big Amanda) ride him and sit on him and rub all over and be completely under hoof to him. Read the rest of this entry »
