Post by For the TN Walking Horse on Jul 18, 2011 11:47:10 GMT -7
Hi all. I thought I'd get us started here with my own story of how I made the choice to change how I train my TWHs and help others learn a better way to work with their horses.
My background is that I have ridden horses since I was 3 years old. Never owned one because my parents were in the military and couldn't afford it, but I had riding lessons for many, many years. I showed both English and Western, and it was mostly WTC and Equitation. It wasn't until I went on a group ride after I'd gotten out of college that I discovered the world of horse ownership. The horses I was riding happened to be TWHs, which I knew nothing about and frankly didn't care--I was just happy to be riding horses!
However, since I decided to start owning horses, then I needed to learn all I could about the breed I was going to own. When I first started out with TWHs over 10 years ago, I learned from a backyard trainer all of the negative ways to train a horse. Kick them in the belly if they don't suck in, hit them when they're bad, jerk on the reins if they don't listen, stuff like that. Then I met a woman who was from the old school of training TWHs. She taught me all about the mechanical works of training TWHs--harsh bits, heavy shoes, rollers, chains, etc. I never actually learned how to sore a horse because for a long time I never knew what it was, but I was taught that gaited horses cannot gait without shoes on, they MUST have a shanked bit, they can't do round pen work, etc.
I discovered that these violent and mechanical methods weren't working with my dream horse, an SSH mare that I bought based solely on her looks (yes, I know, I was wrong--stupid me). Apache was resistant to these methods and I found she was becoming dangerous to ride. That's when I ended up starting to work with a John Lyons trainer who helped me learn that if we use resistant-free methods, groundwork, and work with the horse rather than against it then we will get results. Instead of using punishment, ignore the bad (unless you are bitten or kicked) and reward the good.
Since then, I have devoted myself to studying the classical and resistance-free methods of training and working with my horse. I realized that there was a reason I was taught so much when I was riding (heels down, eyes up, shoulders up, hands quiet, etc.)--it was to better balance myself so the horse could carry me better and so I wouldn't get hurt. And I discovered that working with my horse created a safer and more relaxing ride. I had gotten sloppy in my riding and went back to what I was taught.
I learned exactly what the gaits looked like, from a pace to a foxtrot, running walk and rack. I learned how to recognize them from the saddle and on the ground. I learned how to achieve these gaits and started helping and teaching others about it.
What really got me going on the right track was when I went to a gaited horse clinic where the clinician taught us basic dressage methods in order to strengthen our horses' gaits without using forceful methods. I realized that dressage really is the base of all riding--if you have a horse that is trained using positive reinforcement and methods that encourage your horse to carry himself correctly, he will be happier and will work harder for you. Plus, you will extend the longevity of his working career. These new methods brought me a brand new way to show my horses, and I was successful in the show ring because of it when I wasn't before when using mechanical means.
I have since been studying horse anatomy and how the gaits work, and I had a wonderful farrier who taught me a lot about both correct shoeing and going barefoot. I also have watched other horse breeds and ridden other breeds to learn more about what works and what doesn't. I've learned about saddle fit, the different kinds of bits and how they work, and how to recognize lameness or illness and when to call the vet or chiropractor.
To me, there is no reason to use mechanical means to train a horse. John Lyons said that all horses should be able to be ridden in a snaffle bit, and he's right. He means that you need to start with the basics first and then work your way up to more complex things, such as other bits, more complex types of riding, etc. I never use training aids because I found unless you are a professional and know the exact mechanics of how they work, you shouldn't be using them.
I also have gone completely barefoot, mostly to save money, but also because I don't see a reason for shoes other than if there is a medical problem that has to be addressed or of you ride your horse in lava rock (an experience I've had that was NOT good). I also have abandoned bits. I have learned that bits can actually hinder a horse rather than help it, and the crossunder bitless bridle is far more effective in working with a horse. My horses gait better and are much easier to control in the bitless bridles because there is nothing in their mouth to cause pain, whether intentional or accidental.
Overall, to me it is far more important to take the time and hard work to train your horse right from the start. I've experienced poor training and training that forces the gait. It isn't necessary and isn't productive. What we need to do is partner with our horses--they are living creatures that need us to respect them and help them rather than force them into what we want them to do. And it is an amazing thing to experience being at one with your horse because they are willing to work for you.
So tell your experiences, share photos, whatever you'd like. We can also always learn from each other about how to get the gait using resistance-free methods. Let's help the gaited horse world by creating happier horses and riders!
My background is that I have ridden horses since I was 3 years old. Never owned one because my parents were in the military and couldn't afford it, but I had riding lessons for many, many years. I showed both English and Western, and it was mostly WTC and Equitation. It wasn't until I went on a group ride after I'd gotten out of college that I discovered the world of horse ownership. The horses I was riding happened to be TWHs, which I knew nothing about and frankly didn't care--I was just happy to be riding horses!
However, since I decided to start owning horses, then I needed to learn all I could about the breed I was going to own. When I first started out with TWHs over 10 years ago, I learned from a backyard trainer all of the negative ways to train a horse. Kick them in the belly if they don't suck in, hit them when they're bad, jerk on the reins if they don't listen, stuff like that. Then I met a woman who was from the old school of training TWHs. She taught me all about the mechanical works of training TWHs--harsh bits, heavy shoes, rollers, chains, etc. I never actually learned how to sore a horse because for a long time I never knew what it was, but I was taught that gaited horses cannot gait without shoes on, they MUST have a shanked bit, they can't do round pen work, etc.
I discovered that these violent and mechanical methods weren't working with my dream horse, an SSH mare that I bought based solely on her looks (yes, I know, I was wrong--stupid me). Apache was resistant to these methods and I found she was becoming dangerous to ride. That's when I ended up starting to work with a John Lyons trainer who helped me learn that if we use resistant-free methods, groundwork, and work with the horse rather than against it then we will get results. Instead of using punishment, ignore the bad (unless you are bitten or kicked) and reward the good.
Since then, I have devoted myself to studying the classical and resistance-free methods of training and working with my horse. I realized that there was a reason I was taught so much when I was riding (heels down, eyes up, shoulders up, hands quiet, etc.)--it was to better balance myself so the horse could carry me better and so I wouldn't get hurt. And I discovered that working with my horse created a safer and more relaxing ride. I had gotten sloppy in my riding and went back to what I was taught.
I learned exactly what the gaits looked like, from a pace to a foxtrot, running walk and rack. I learned how to recognize them from the saddle and on the ground. I learned how to achieve these gaits and started helping and teaching others about it.
What really got me going on the right track was when I went to a gaited horse clinic where the clinician taught us basic dressage methods in order to strengthen our horses' gaits without using forceful methods. I realized that dressage really is the base of all riding--if you have a horse that is trained using positive reinforcement and methods that encourage your horse to carry himself correctly, he will be happier and will work harder for you. Plus, you will extend the longevity of his working career. These new methods brought me a brand new way to show my horses, and I was successful in the show ring because of it when I wasn't before when using mechanical means.
I have since been studying horse anatomy and how the gaits work, and I had a wonderful farrier who taught me a lot about both correct shoeing and going barefoot. I also have watched other horse breeds and ridden other breeds to learn more about what works and what doesn't. I've learned about saddle fit, the different kinds of bits and how they work, and how to recognize lameness or illness and when to call the vet or chiropractor.
To me, there is no reason to use mechanical means to train a horse. John Lyons said that all horses should be able to be ridden in a snaffle bit, and he's right. He means that you need to start with the basics first and then work your way up to more complex things, such as other bits, more complex types of riding, etc. I never use training aids because I found unless you are a professional and know the exact mechanics of how they work, you shouldn't be using them.
I also have gone completely barefoot, mostly to save money, but also because I don't see a reason for shoes other than if there is a medical problem that has to be addressed or of you ride your horse in lava rock (an experience I've had that was NOT good). I also have abandoned bits. I have learned that bits can actually hinder a horse rather than help it, and the crossunder bitless bridle is far more effective in working with a horse. My horses gait better and are much easier to control in the bitless bridles because there is nothing in their mouth to cause pain, whether intentional or accidental.
Overall, to me it is far more important to take the time and hard work to train your horse right from the start. I've experienced poor training and training that forces the gait. It isn't necessary and isn't productive. What we need to do is partner with our horses--they are living creatures that need us to respect them and help them rather than force them into what we want them to do. And it is an amazing thing to experience being at one with your horse because they are willing to work for you.
So tell your experiences, share photos, whatever you'd like. We can also always learn from each other about how to get the gait using resistance-free methods. Let's help the gaited horse world by creating happier horses and riders!