[drivingpairs] Starting Babies Differently

Hi Laura, 

We don't ever start our babies in halters, on lines. 
We have already taught them to carry the bit while in
their stalls.  It tastes good, with treat when
bridled.  Then after bridles are on, grain comes!!
They have eaten supper in it for a few weeks, before
we attach any lines.  They are comfortable with bit,
know how to hold and carry it, when eating or just
standing around, no people.  Usually done with the bit
chomping quickly, since they get tired mouths after an
hour.  They come to terms with it in their own way,
not while also getting rein signals or commands to
distract them.  When horse is comfortable, quiet
mouthed, attentive to HANDLER, we move on in training.
  We no longer lunge horses.  We find starting in the
long lines to be more productive in training time.  We
have control of both ends of horse, never get the rear
end swinging out, head pulling to the inside, of only
one line attachment.  Horse has nothing to unlearn, we
are ALWAYS in control.  Horse is taught the words,
walk, trot, whoa, long before he is on the lines. 
Just leading him around, is a pracice time for the
future.  When we start the long lining sessions, he
has a header beside him leading him forward, like he
is used to.  Long line handler is in center of
circles, giving voice commands.  Knowledge of words
transfers easily to the acceptance of voice command
from the person in the center.  Header gives no
signals, just reinforces voice command with body
language.  Usually header is only needed for first
part of lesson, during the first 3-4 lessons.  First
couple lessons are pretty short.  We want him giving
yes answers, happily.  We also never use side reins. 
Over time, we have been able to do a much better job
with the long lines in various configurations.  No
fixed points to let horse brace against, lots of feel
in live long lines.
  We go to the blinker bridle AFTER everything is
trained on horse.  Long lining, dragging things,
ground driving (not the same!), poles, have hitched
and driven a couple times.  We WANT horse to see
behind him, KNOW what is going on.  He has had crooked
loads, traces between his legs, jerking feeling of
tires on rough ground.   Should be no big deal to him.
 THEN he gets the blinkers to focus his attention.  
  We have large horse, very fast reactions, sensitive,
so you want solid training basics to aid driver in the
future.  Horse needs clear under standing of what is
going on, NEVER allowed to be out of control.  He can
depend on US TO SAVE HIM!
  I think the woman you mentioned is Nori Lamphere. 
She has a great many good ideas.  I however, think you
only have about one stride to save a situation.  So
you don't let "situations" happen, by using equipment
that is of no help in controlling the horse.  That one
stride is the takeoff, horses land running and out of
control.

Kathy Robertson


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