I was talking to another trainer recently when she commented on how she's afraid some horses are missing a lot of the basics. We'd both read this comment last year on a non-mustang blog...that is to say, she didn't read any of the mustang blogs to the best of our knowledge. And we assured her that in 90 days time you can teach a horse a whole lot of basics...and then some.
But it appears with each new round of competitions, the trainers are on earlier and earlier...and they've got their eyes set on the prize.
Something Jay said to me while leading me about on Sandy...one of those sweet little pony rides a mere couple weeks before the competition in Sacramento...is that there was no reason to rush with this horse. He wasn't headed to a futurity. His future did not depend on the win. His future depended on getting all the right building blocks in place so that he could one day pack a kid around on his back, and do it safely.
No one but God knew just how that one would play out...none of us thought there'd be a kid trotting about practicing her "Look, ma, no hands" routine before the end of the year was out. Not with the personality Sandy handed us during those first few months. But once he realized none of it was a threat, those building blocks were rock solid.
Jays words are still at the forefront of my mind. Steve Holt! is nowhere near as far along as some of the horses out there. Heck...some are doing flying changes already! And they may very well have all those basics into place by the time they get to Albany. Steve Holt! isn't ready to do flying changes. He's barely ready to do simple ones. But as slow as we look compared to many, I know I'm laying that foundation. My goal is to have a steady, solid horse, both physically and mentally. Sandy was a great teacher of 'wait and see'.
Here's a quick clip of Steve Holt!'s recent ride and first arena lope down with Curt, followed by a clip of a customer working her horse on the Hydra Bull:
No one but God knew just how that one would play out...none of us thought there'd be a kid trotting about practicing her "Look, ma, no hands" routine before the end of the year was out. Not with the personality Sandy handed us during those first few months. But once he realized none of it was a threat, those building blocks were rock solid.
Jays words are still at the forefront of my mind. Steve Holt! is nowhere near as far along as some of the horses out there. Heck...some are doing flying changes already! And they may very well have all those basics into place by the time they get to Albany. Steve Holt! isn't ready to do flying changes. He's barely ready to do simple ones. But as slow as we look compared to many, I know I'm laying that foundation. My goal is to have a steady, solid horse, both physically and mentally. Sandy was a great teacher of 'wait and see'.
Here's a quick clip of Steve Holt!'s recent ride and first arena lope down with Curt, followed by a clip of a customer working her horse on the Hydra Bull:
12 comments:
Too cool, love the video!
SH! looked very nice loping around one end of the arena like that. Look Ma, no wall! I agree, why rush things? You see horses that are missing those pieces, and one of the first things someone is apt to say is "time to take them back to the basics". And each horse is different so you have to tailor it to them. And yeah, look how awesome Sandy is :)
I'll have to check out the video at home (can't see YouTube at work). Keep up the good work. You are taking the right approach - a well rounded horse.
Thank you for this post!
I am in the Midwest challenge and we are not yet on week two yet and I see vids of people already on their horses and mine has yet to wear a halter!
it also gets irritating when people ask me if im on my horse yet...
but I know that with the nice pace we are at in the long run my horse will have a solid foundation for her next family to continue building onto.
Thanks Again!
I just watched the video. That lope is beautiful!
Look at you guys! What pretty circles and willingly continuing the pace. I'm very proud of you both.
Slow and steady wins the race. I think you have the right idea. I think the video shows he is relaxed and doing quite well with not being pushed too hard, too soon. What is the rush anyway ?
You know my thoughts on this, it's a process. You get there when the horse is ready and you seem to do a great job of figuring that out. Don't worry about what those other people are up to.
That looks like one heck of a lope. Is it as smooth as it looks for a brand new lope??
Yes, y'all...that lope is smooth as can be for a new baby lope. I didn't think he'd be as balanced as Sandy...and really, not quite, but he's pretty darn nice. Struggles a wee bit with the right lead from time to time but I've been able to drop him down and get him to pick it up.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
His lope looks great Tracey! I agree...slow and consistent...it's too easy to fry their lil' brains.
Woo Hoo! They Hydra Bull shows his horns! :-) Can't wait for the video of Steve Holt! following it around.
I totally agree about rushing - why? You and Steve Holt! are doing great, and he is going to be a nice, solid, safe guy!
I was told by someone that I might not have had the best trained horse at the EMM this past year, but but I came away with a horse with a solid foundation, and he was safe. Huge compliment! I am hoping to do the next EMM, and will do it the same way...slow and steady.
You really are an inspiration!
STEVE HOLT!
I know I said this last time I posted a comment, and probably the time before that, but gee he's come a long way! I feel like I've been sleeping he's doing so well. Great job!!!!
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