As you know, we have been working on halter breaking the new stud colt we purchased a month ago. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a horse this young to work with, so I’m trying to remember any tricks on how to train a foal to lead, and am looking back through some old horse training articles I’ve written to see what advice I’ve given to others on this topic. Every horse is different, and with this particular colt, we’ve been able to slide right past some trouble spots that might affect others.
There’s one in every bunch. The horse that keeps his eye on you and no matter what enticement you offer from your pocket, he won’t let you catch him. Is there a cure for the horse that is hard to catch? Well, here are a few tips that might eliminate some wasted time and frustration when you’re trying to catch your horse.
by Cowgirl on June 28, 2010
I see a lot of round pens set up around the countryside today, and it makes me wonder if the people who have round pens really know what to do with them, or if they just have one because they have a horse? There are many uses for a round pen–whether you’re working on halterbreaking, lunging, separation issues, or just need a clean space to put a horse that’s recovering from an illness.
Join up is a round pen method that is meant to bring a horse’s attention to the trainer, establish a sense of trust, and get the horse to allow the trainer to handle it. A horse’s fear and natural flight instincts are what join up is meant to overcome, so that the horse willingly accepts a trainer’s presence, touch, and handling. It establishes a good foundation for all other training that will follow.
by Cowgirl on June 8, 2010
I have owned many horses, and have ridden hundreds. But of them all, if I could have just one horse, it would be Beauty. I called her my little Ragamuffin or Muffinhead because she was not much to look at but I loved her. She was the greatest match for me and I’ll never find another horse like her. I love the memories I have of her, and I’m happy with the way things are. She was the best horse of my life.
by Cowgirl on May 21, 2010
The round pen is a very valuable tool for anyone wanting to train horses. This article is to point out some things about the usefulness, purpose, and techniques of the round pen.
