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Training & Instruction Philosophies Explained
** Training Philosophy **
Owners are allowed and encouraged to visit and watch their horse's training session.
Here at Silver Meadow Morgans, a solid trust base is paramount for a good training foundation, therefore all horses accepted for training begin their training with the same basics. If a horse has already been exposed to elements of training, then he will progress quicker than ones who have not, showing his readiness to advance. By starting all horses at the same introductory level, it allows me to build a base of trust, evaluate their training foundation and develop a training strategy to fit each horse's individual needs and potential.
To build a trusting bond, gentle round penning techniques are utilized, primarily derived from Monty Robert's Join-Up. By developing this trusting bond, the horse chooses to remain with the trainer, rather than be away. Once this trust is established, the horse is then introduced to the equipment to be used, followed by giving the horse the oppportunity to move at liberty in the round pen and find his own balance with the new equipment.
Horses are not punished for bucking. This is an instinctual act, resulting from concern about the equipment, unsure of how to balance with the equipment or both. I find most horses do not even offer to buck and of those that do, usually only a couple of hops. On rare occassions a horse will buck violently, but I've only found this to be the case if the horse has had some previous experience that has caused them great fear. With those horses, time and patience as been my ali, eventually resulting in a well adjusted, willing equine partner.
After accepting the equipment, long-lines are introduced and the horse is ground driven. As the training progresses and the horse develops an understanding of what is being asked, simple paterns are introduced through use of dressage principles, first during ground driving sessions, then while under saddle. Horses are also introduced to the outside world via ground driving, as soon as they are comfortable with performing the tasks in the arena. I find this helps to keep their minds fresh and encourages them to have confidence.
During all phases of training, horses are encouraged to stretch down and out to the bit, in order to develop proper topline muscles. "Gadgets" to "force" a horse into a certain "frame" are not used, due to their conflicting results of causing weak, hollow backs; stiff, bracing necks; shortened strides and horses that often develop a dislike for their work. Partnership and willingness to perform are the goals, no matter what the horse's intended discipline.
After about a month of introductory work, a horse that is being prepared for harness is usually ready to be introduced to "noodle" poles (again, equipment introduced in the round pen, at liberty). This often translates quickly to dragging them during ground driving sessions, first inside the arena, then out in the real world.
Horses being prepared for saddle work are taken out for trail rides with and without other horses. Sometimes, this involves hauling to nearby trailheads, giving the novice horse an opportunity to get used to hauling quietly.
The second month of a horse's training is generally used to reinforce and begin to refine the skills introduced in the first month of training. The third month of training will continue to refine further skills developed from the previous two months and introduce further skills. By the end of the third month, a horse's muscles have had a chance to develop and become better conditioned to move forward with further training. Although a horse may be willing to perform more complicated tasks earlier in their training, if they are not conditioned slowly for it, risk of injuries are increased, therefore, slow, consistent work is the way to achieve good muscle tone and reduce the risk of injuries.
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Contact Information:
Silver Meadow Morgans
La Center, WA
(360) 263-6370
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