Posts Tagged ‘Lunging’
Big Heart – Big Talent
Hi Elizabeth,
Been a while so I thought I’d check in. “Ping” (Shelby’s Hill) is now 7, and a full 16 hands. He has filled out and is beautiful.
After some work his feet are now great, and I hope to start his event training this year. He is so talented in dressage he could just do that, but that is not all I want to do. I long-lined him yesterday after not doing it for two years and he was just great. I still toy with the idea of a bigger horse but he has a big heart.
Hope all is well.
Sarah Farnham
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
“Tru” Love Success Story
Tru Native gets body clipped for the first time.
Hi Elizabeth,
“Truman” is adjusting beautifully. He has quite the personality and is a barn favorite for sure. He is VERY social and absolutely craves attention. Since he has been living in the field all alone for the past year this has been a complete life style change for the better for him. He now LOVES sugar cubes, beet pulp, horse cookies, etc. He has figured that whatever I offer him now it must be delicious. He is quite pushy and knows his size. So we are just slowly working on him respecting my space! By the way, we measured him and he is an unbelievable almost 17.2 hands!! Just massive and oh so sweet.
Tru Native begins training to be a dressage horse.
It has taken hours to get the clipping done. Of course, when I turned them on he backed up on the cross-ties and sent them flying down the isle about 30 feet, we just hit the ground knowing they would snap. He then slowly walked down the isle, so proud of himself, and into an empty stall. It didn’t take long at all for him to realize that the clippers won’t hurt him. Just lots of patience… I’m still working today on finishing his face, but don’t get next to his ears!! He did get a bath and was sooooooo good for that. He thinks he has “gone to heaven”! Absolutely loves grooming and stands perfectly still while he gets groomed. But, don’t walk away, he will follow! I now have to replace two sets of cross-ties!! Nothing seems to startle him much and is quite confident.
Tru Native admired the gorgeous horse in the mirror.
He loves his turnout paddock and loves his new horse buddies. He has bonded with his neighbor, Abby, a 31 yr. old OTTB. He loves toys and is VERY curious about everything, not spooky at all. When I brought him into the indoor for the first time, he was shocked at our huge mounting block, and then he got to see that gorgeous horse in the mirror. Tail straight up and trying to show off. He is learning to free-lunge and then decides to go straight over to the mirror, pulling me along, to see the horse that lives in the mirror. He is really a gentle giant and doesn’t mean to do that to me, but his curiosity gets the best of him. He has shown me his gorgeous, floaty, slow rhythmic trot out in his turnout paddock. I can’t wait to see how he comes along with dressage training. I think I found a “diamond in the rough” for sure. Have not seen a canter yet, so looking forward to getting a look at that as well.
I have not ridden him yet. The vet who did the pre-purchase said his teeth were in need of immediate floating and a baby tooth needs to be pulled. My vet is coming out on Monday to do his teeth/sheath, etc. His training will start later next week and I can’t wait!!! My trainer and I will take it VERY slowly with him. I want him to enjoy his daily work and be happy and relaxed.
Tru Native and mom - "Tru" Love
I am totally in love with my new baby. I don’t want to leave the barn and when I am at home, all I want to do is go back to be with “Tru”. Thank you sooooo much for your support and assistance. This happened so fast, but I knew when I saw his photo on your website that was it. I was in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and had to meet him if possible. And possible it was, I was so lucky and blessed. He also has the same birthday, April 28, my horse that I just sold. I knew he and I were meant to be together. Everything fell into place perfectly. He is so far turning out to be an amazing, beautiful horse inside and out. But, just look out, when he wants something, he will get it. Quite strong-willed that way but I will surely enjoy this wonderful, exciting journey.
HAPPY NEW YEAR… It’s going to be a good one!
Lauren
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Tru Native aka "Truman" |
Tags: Dressage, First, Lunging, Prospect Horse, Training
“Marvin” Takes Care of Dad Too! Learning to Jump as Well
Me Tru aka "Marvin" at the race track.
Dear Elizabeth,
I still haven’t purchased a digital camera. However, you can be sure that I wrote it on my Christmas wish list!
Me Tru, aka Marvin, is doing fantastically well. He has gained weight, and has a nice thick winter coat that is shiny and sleek. He comes to the gate for attention and still has a beautiful, kind eye.
Marvin is learning to jump. He loves it! He doesn’t rush the jump or get hot, he just moves like he’s having fun and is ready for more. He’s careful, but not to the point that he over-jumps. When I make a mistake, he is very forgiving. However, because he is smart, I have to be careful that my mistakes don’t teach him bad habits.
Marvin quickly learned voice commands while longeing. He also learned to keep his feet in place for carrot stretches. His muscles feel pretty tight, so I’ve introduced him to massage. At first, he was impatient in the cross-ties, but he’s learned to relax, especially for the brachiocephalicus, and hamstring groups. He’ll make funny faces when I find a tight spot, and will occasionally nicker when it feels really good.
My husband rode Marvin the other day. Marvin took great care of him – it was the first time my husband has ever been in a saddle. My trainer frequently comments about Marvin’s gentle disposition and willingness to try to understand what he is being asked to do. We got a big laugh when my husband waved to the video camera instead of signaling to turn, and Marvin marched straight to the top of the shaving pile.
Thank you for making this possible!
Fondly,
Kathryn
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Me Tru aka "Marvin" |
Tags: First Ride, Jumping, Lunging, Prospect Horse
Chipawild Does Well in “Traffic”
Chipawild has gone to college with her new mom. They are both learning new life/career skills.
I sent you some photos from the Walmart website that Courtney’s trainer took of her two first rides on Chipawild. She is doing great! Walk, trot and canter on the lunge and walking and trotting under saddle. She is getting used to having “traffic” in the ring with her. Courtney gave her a bath the other day and she was well behaved which is good because like most grey horses she loves to sleep using her manure as a pillow!
I hope all is well with you,
Sara O’Connell
Forgot to mention – Courtney has to PUSH! I just talked to her trainer and Courtney has cantered her and she has to push the whole time to keep her going. I guess you never can tell…
Sara O’Connell
Cortableau Gets a Mom!
Cortableau meets his new mom it was love at first sight!
Congratulations to Dr. Laura Durham-Dixon of Griffin, GA on the purchase of Cortableau aka former Prospect Horse “Cordon Bleau”.
Elizabeth and Barry picked up Cortableau and Rap It Up at the track on Sunday August 30. Rap It Up transferred from the Bits & Bytes Farm trailer to David Goodman’s trailer in Chattanooga, TN to make the trip home to Athens, AL.
Cortableau spent a few days of well earned R&R at the Bits & Bytes Farm “Spa” where he received laser treatments, stretching exercises and lunging. He learned to eat grass and run free again! And he chilled with the other ex-racers on the farm who, we’re sure, told him that his racing days were over.
Stevie Loveboy and Cortableau discuss life after racing at Bits & Bytes Farm.
Stevie Loverboy chatted with “Bleau” over the fence, “There’s no track here. These people are nice.” By the time his new mom Laura Durham-Dixon arrived on Friday he was feeling good and ready to meet his new family.
Whos Cindy Sue – A Future Show Jumper!
Whos Cindy Sue is learning lots of new skills.
Whos Cindy Sue is doing well! We started lunge training this week, and she caught on quickly! I think I may have found my jumper because she jumped out of her turnout last week (it was feeding time!) the fence is four feet, and she cleared it. She has gained 40 pounds and looking more shiny everyday. She gets breakfast/lunch/dinner as well as free choice hay, at first she didn’t know what to do with all the food, but she has taken to her bucket like a champ. I plan on lunging her for the month of August to help build up her muscles since she is so lean and young, I want her back strong before I get on her at the end of the month, so we are just doing ground work. We have conquered the crossties, she lets me clip her muzzle, and she loves bubble baths…she is a sweetheart!
Rebecca
Not all Thoroughbreds off-the-track know how to cross tie. Always remember this if you purchase one.
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Whos Cindy Sue |
Tags: Cross Ties, First Jump, Jumping, Lunging, Prospect Horse, Turnout
Allegiant Video
Hey, do you have any racing or baby pictures of Alle? Or a video? That would be awesome!! I haven’t lunged her in two days because I have been sick, but I should be able to tomorrow. She is riding great.
When I took her off the lunge line and we rode around and there was a deer! She wanted to go up and see it, but she didn’t spook. I thought that was pretty cool!! My friend and I are going to ride within the next few days. She is training an Arabian (she hasn’t cantered him yet, so we are both in the same boat).
Hope you guys are doing well. Oh, Alle says to say hi to Stevie Loverboy!
Amanda and Alle!!
This one is my FAVORITE!!
Mom didn’t get any trotting pictures, but I am working on a video. I will send you the link when I am done. I know my position wasn’t great, but I have been sick and tried my best!! She was absolutely perfect!! I borrowed a friend’s lunge line. She is everything I wanted and more!!
I really REALLY like her (Allegiant), and can definitely see her potential. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. There is no way I would sell her. She hasn’t done ONE bad thing. Mom and Dad can hold her, and they aren’t even horse people. And, I love how she talks to me when she sees me! I know we will go far! Thanks for all your help!
Amanda and Alle!!
P.S. I am working on the tips you gave me when I was riding ( don’t point my feet out, hold my hands straight not horizontal, bend my elbows, and move with her. She really listens and is FANTASTIC to ride!!
The Newest “A Team” – Allegiant and Amanda
Allegiant is doing fantastic!!
Allegiant is doing fantastic!! She is settling in great. Her pasture buddy is a 25 year old 13hh pony mare. But, right across the fence, she can also hang out with three geldings.
I lunged her in the round pen, and she did great for never being in one before. She got sweaty, so I rinsed her off, then dryed her hooves off, and applied hoof polish on them. I am doing the stretches about A LOT! But, her right side is slowly getting better. She is getting more smooth when I do the crossing over on the right! She hasn’t spooked at ANYTHING!! She did want to back off of the wash rack at first, but within two or three minutes she did,
Allegiant is drinking three buckets of water per day, and she is eating ALL of her food!!
so she got a treat for that! I tried giving her an apple; she doesn’t like them, haha. We even beat the apple against something to get the juices out, and she still didn’t like it. But, I found a treat she does like!! Licorice flavored treats!!
She is drinking three buckets of water per day, and she is eating ALL of her food. I think she likes it here! She knows she doesn’t have to race anymore. I have a hard time keeping up with her at the walk with those long legs of hers, but we are getting used to each other. Every time I walk into the barn now, she talks to me. She already knows who feeds her and takes care of her!!
