Starting The Young Horse 2
By Jason Webb
Last month I gave an overview of the starting or breaking-in process that I use. This month, I will describe the facilities and tools that I use.
Facilities
1. Round-pen. I believe that a round-pen is crucial to starting a horse successfully. It allows me to work with the horse in a controlled environment. When the horse is first ridden, there is the possibility that the horse will 'fight or flight'. If they 'fight', they have not got the room to really get bucking and if they 'flight' they can do so in a circle without me having to stop them.
2. Arena. This is not as important as the round-pen, but it is very useful to have an enclosed arena that is accessible from the round-pen. It is helpful to introduce the horse to larger spaces in stages.
3. Tie-pole. I have a tie pole that is an old telegraph pole cemented into the ground and surrounded by tyres. I tie horses to the tie pole and they very soon work out that they cannot pull back. They gain their release from pressure by standing quietly.
4. Horsebox / trailer. An important part of the starting process is teaching the young horse to load properly!
Tools
5. Lead-Pony. A lead pony is a horse that is ridden with the young horse before and during the first few rides. I find that having another horse in with the young horse gives him confidence and teaches them manners around other horses. It is also a way of introducing them to a person being
above their eye-line.
6. Rope halter and long lead rope. These are important in teaching a horse to tie up properly and it can also be used to teach the horse to lunge.
7. Bridles with snaffle bits with cheekpieces. I start horses with a snaffle bit that has cheekpieces. This prevents the bit from moving too much in the mouth and also gives the horse more guidance when teaching them direction.
8. Side-reins. Sometimes I use side-reins to gain some vertical flexion, although most horses do this already from the lateral groundwork that I do.
9. Roller. I start the horses off in a roller before progressing to a saddle. The roller needs to have rings on both sides of the horse and one on top that ropes can easily slide through and be attached to.
10. Long-lines. I long-rein horses when I 'mouth' them, or teach them direction and lateral and vertical flexion.
11. Australian Stock Saddle. I use one of these saddles to start horses in because it gives me extra security. If you fall off a horse that you are starting it will knock your confidence and the horse's and has the potential to create a problem that is not easily fixed.
12. Whips. Some people frown on the use of whips but if a horse is taught about their use properly, they are a very useful tool. I use a dressage whip to teach horses to lead properly and a lunge whip in the round-pen as an extension of my arm to help change the horse's direction and speed.
13. Hobbles. Hobbles are a leather strap used to restrict the movement of the horse's legs. Again, many people frown on the use of hobbles and other similar systems but in actual fact they can be a very useful tool for starting a horse. Horses quickly realise with hobbles that there is no point resisting and that standing still will release all the pressure. This directly teaches your horse a very important lesson, acceptance of any leg restriction. If people do not like the use of hobbles, I remind them that every time you tie your horse up or even ride you are restricting the horse's movement by applying direct pressure! I believe the acceptance of hobbles saved one of my young horses from seriously injuring herself when she was caught in a fence. She stood quietly until I found her in the morning and we cut her out with not a scratch on her.
14. Farrier tools. I don't use these for shoeing, but rather to simulate the process so the farrier will be able to shoe the horse with no difficulties.
Next month I will go through the first few days of the starting process.
