Weanlings, through to Preparing a 3 year old for Backing
As the horse grows older, we want to be able to help him develop physically, mentally
and emotionally. We need to prepare him for situations that he is likely to come across whether his future
be a hacking horse, child’s pony, hunter or a competition horse.
Here is a general list of things
I work on with every horse if possible but obviously there are many more things I may have to teach the horse to suit his
or his owner’s unique situation.
- Catch easily
or better yet, have the horse come to be caught
- Be tied up to a wall or rail in quiet surroundings
then gradually stepping up the chaos e.g seeing other horses come and go, windy days, having a ball bounce around, tying
the horse in many different areas for extended periods of time and at different times of the day.
- Being
led from another horse so they get used to people being above them, and they can learn a lot being ponied around the forest
following through puddles, over bridges, having a good trot beside another horse and staying sensible!
- Learn to stand for extended periods learning patience
- Lots and lots of groundwork
on a 12’ or 22’ line and at liberty (loose) to balance the trust and respect between horse and handler developing
a healthy partnership. Using obstacles like a pilates ball, barrels, tarps, tyres and poles etc to give the horse something
to focus on.
- Lungeing/long lining from a headcollar in a round pen and arena, eventually
long lining on forest where they will meet running dogs and children,, people on bicycles, loose cattle, pigs, donkeys and
ponies.
- All of the above exercises I have taught the foal with more refinement
and softness to lay a sound foundation in prep for future ridden work.
- Accept a bridle and saddle
- Be water hosed
- Learn to load
- Farrier prep
- Needle prep and be good with wormer syringes, fly sprays, leg bandages
- Learn to be
in a stable
