How hard is training a horse?
Some ppl think im nuts but i think im capable. Really tho, how hard is it to train a young horse to ride, just basic stuff, trot, canter, maybe jumping. Im not ever gonna compete or anything. I just want a horse to work with and have as a partner to ride and have fun with. Im just debating on wether to get an older horse or go for the younger challenge. I have the time and im up to it tho ive never done it before.
well, the first thing i have to say is
1. a horse is a big responsibility, i recommend buying a older horse for your first horse(around 10-13) that has already been saddle trained. most people end up having a bad experience with their first horse because they get them young thinking they’ll have a partner for life and just can’t seen to train them.
2. if you do get any horse consult a local veterinarian or trainer first to get the their input about you owning a horse.
3. if you choose to buy a horse take a local veterinarian or trainer to greet the owner and see what the veterinarian/trainer thinks of the horse. have them examine the horse to see if its condition is exactly what the owner says it is.its better to buy a horse from a honest person.
4. if the owner claims the horse is saddle broken have the vet/trainer tack it up to see how it reacts to being tack up. have the owner mount the horse to see how the horse reacts to being ridden. watch how obedient and calm the horse is and how quick it can change its gaits.
5. have the vet/trainer mount and ride the horse to see in their own opinion how it reacts to the certain things he/she does.
6. it is wise to ask the owner to have a trial to see the horse in your own environment and if you really want and/or need this horse. try doing things yourself like tacking up, riding, and leading the horse around the barn under the vet/trainers guidence. if the owner refuses a trial then ask to lease the horse. if the owner still refuses, just drop the idea of getting the horse because theirs obiously something to hide.
7. make a date with your local vet and owner to take the horse to the vet for a pre-buy check up. if the horse is all good and you can afford the horse and its boarding, feed, vet bills, farrier bills, tack, and other nessisary tools, then buy the horse and have some fun!
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April 17th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Well it depends on how spunky your horse is and how much of a challenge it will be, but training a horse is not any something you just learn in one day, if you know how to deal with a horse and how to properly ride one, it will begin as a learning experience! but the best thing for someone who has never done it before is to start slowly and progress slowly, don't let your horse get away with something done wrong, don't get fed up keep on a trucking! i have to say if you do pull this off you will have a hell of a horse! after going through the training process, your horse will learn to respect you. and just for the basic riding, not compete, you will have a great horse. i have dealed with great fast learning horses and i have dealed with some pain in the butts, but in the end they turn out to be a great companion! NEVER GIVE UP! KEEP GOING! very cool! and i wish you lots of luck!
References :
training and raising horses my whole life
April 17th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
well, the first thing i have to say is
1. a horse is a big responsibility, i recommend buying a older horse for your first horse(around 10-13) that has already been saddle trained. most people end up having a bad experience with their first horse because they get them young thinking they’ll have a partner for life and just can’t seen to train them.
2. if you do get any horse consult a local veterinarian or trainer first to get the their input about you owning a horse.
3. if you choose to buy a horse take a local veterinarian or trainer to greet the owner and see what the veterinarian/trainer thinks of the horse. have them examine the horse to see if its condition is exactly what the owner says it is.its better to buy a horse from a honest person.
4. if the owner claims the horse is saddle broken have the vet/trainer tack it up to see how it reacts to being tack up. have the owner mount the horse to see how the horse reacts to being ridden. watch how obedient and calm the horse is and how quick it can change its gaits.
5. have the vet/trainer mount and ride the horse to see in their own opinion how it reacts to the certain things he/she does.
6. it is wise to ask the owner to have a trial to see the horse in your own environment and if you really want and/or need this horse. try doing things yourself like tacking up, riding, and leading the horse around the barn under the vet/trainers guidence. if the owner refuses a trial then ask to lease the horse. if the owner still refuses, just drop the idea of getting the horse because theirs obiously something to hide.
7. make a date with your local vet and owner to take the horse to the vet for a pre-buy check up. if the horse is all good and you can afford the horse and its boarding, feed, vet bills, farrier bills, tack, and other nessisary tools, then buy the horse and have some fun!
References :
April 17th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I would have to say that an older horse sounds like the go!
To train a horse, you need a LOT of experience, patience, time, an appropriet set up (somewhere safe to teach it new things), etc…
The fact that you are asking how hard it is sort of indicates you have not had any experience with younger horses, or training full stop. I agree that the only way to learn to teach a horse is to actually do it, however you must first be a very capable rider, one who has ridden for a number of years on older horses over a number of years! I would say find yourself a good riding instructor, if you ever want to train a horse for the first time, get an instructor to teach you how to teach the horse, or it could go very wrong for both you and the horse!!! I say get an older horse, follow those steps mentioned, they are a good guide, and get a knowlegable instructor to give you lessons on the older horse. Tell them that your goal is to train a younger horse, and have them tell you when you are ready, and they can help you through it, hep find a nice one, etc…
If it truly is the challenge you want, maybe you could find yourself an older horse (between 6 and 14 perhaps?) who has not been worked for a long time (over 6 months). The horse will be a little bit fresh, and you will learn about fitness, bringing horses back into work, a small amount of re-educating, and giving it a refresher ‘training’ course, fixing any bad habits! Young horses can take months to learn new things, however with a horse who has been out of work, you will only need a few rides of the same kind of work, you will see your results much quicker! The horse will know all the basics, so you won’t go too wrong there! An older horse will be quiet and more settled (not as likely to be silly, or unpredicatable like younge horses), and you will be able to start jumping as soon as it is fit enough! With young horses, it is best NOT to jump them untill they are at least 4 or 5 (depending on the horse), as their bones are not strong enough, and low level jumping and months (or even a year) of training over poles on the ground and small crosses. Young horses also should not be ridden very hard in the first few years of their breaking, again as their bones are not cut out for it, you will do ALOT of damage.
I would say the safest thing at the present time is to buy an older horse (educated and well behaved), and find a riding instructor (don’t forget the steps mentioned above!). If you however really think you are upt o a challenge, find an older but well behaved horse that is out of work. If you say people are thinking you are crazy, then maybe listen to why they think that, they could very well be wrong, but some might be right, I know a number of people who feel they are a very experienced rider who can take on a younge horse to train, however in reality they are so far off that!! Don’t take on more than you can handle, horses are dangerous animals, just play it as safe as you can, and older, quiet, educated horses are the best way to do it! I have been riding for nearly 10 years, I have 1 younge horse I am training and 1 16yo educated horse to teach me more advanced things. Training a horse is a very important part of leanring to ride, however you must be a very knowlegable rider first, and they will just add onto your knowlege!
References :
Owning, riding, training and competing horses for years!