I hired one of my former students to train my current horse. She's 21 and wise beyond her years. She never gets mad, she just works the problem until the horse figures it out. She rides with a loose rein and a relaxed seat. I've never been happier with a trainer. That dude would be allowed to touch my cat, much less any of my horses....
Is that horse's head tied down? It looks like his bit is somehow attached to a rope on his chest: what is the point of that? (I know very little about Western riding)
I didn't realize that you could advertise horse training in that way.
This is exactly why I do not believe in the use of draw reins. With a large man leveraging his weight against a device already designed to give the rider leverage against the horse, this is an extreme and sad example, but I see the use of draw reins by any rider as a version of this, not a method of "showing the horse" as I have heard it described by those who defend their use. I try not to make blanket statements, but this is one that I stand behind.
I know of one pretty good trainer who does advertise on CL. In his defense, he is new to the area and he knows a lot of eyes see CL more often than other means of advertising. And, intelligent people have asked friends who have asked friends - hey, what do you know about this guy? - And he's been able to begin building his business to where he won't starve :->
Other than him, there are many, many who resemble this photo. Yank, crank, over-riding, horses that are scared or overwhelmed ... or even better, walking horse trainers who have HPA violations (for soring) in their past (but are still allowed to train because their suspensions last a year) -- yeah, I'd want to send my horse to one of them. (And those are public record ... it just takes an owner who gives a darn to check first ... sadly, I don't think many do.)
i've spent the last year retraining my 22 yr old QH because of riding like this. he would tuck in his head to avoid the bit and expected pain, his back end was disconnected from his front end, and he was hollow and stiff. we ended up putting latex padding on the snaffle bit for the first month to reassure him that it wouldn't hurt and spent the next 6 months teaching him to move from behind and stretch down and into the bit. amazing to see his change in attitude now and his enjoyment rather than fear of the arena. complete change in his topline and neck muscles. can't imagine what his life was like before.
Maltese Lizzie - sort of. The trainer's using draw reins, which run through the bit to the girth either at the sides, or through the legs. They're common in both English and western as a short cut (actually, they can be used to help top line development for short periods, but MOST people abuse them).
Redhorse - it's a snaffle, not sure what kind, but it looks suspiciously like a Waterford or other chain bit.
Jennifer R.Povey - It's just a standard broken mouthpiece, I'm sure. Not cuz' I know the guy, but because I know the method. The horse is only two -- even us evil hick type trainers don't need to put chains in their mouth at two.... lets not make it worse than it already is, especially when you can't see the mouth piece.
This horse looks miserable and exhausted. The rider looks like he's using all of his weight bracing against the horse's mouth.... If I saw a picture of myself riding like that, I'd be thinking "Omg this picture is awful! Poor horse, I suck!" *not* "Ya I'm an awesome horse trainer let's put this up on Craigs list".....
I used to use drawreins, but I haven't used them in years, mostly because I decided I just wasn't graceful enough to handle those and a set of normal reins. I manage to get what I want out of just a plain bridle anyhow these days.
I used to use drawreins, but I haven't used them in years, mostly because I decided I just wasn't graceful enough to handle those and a set of normal reins. I manage to get what I want out of just a plain bridle anyhow these days.
My father worked with horses and stock most of his life, and he told me you can tell a lot about a man by how he treats his horse. I suspect he would think the creature on that poor horse's back isn't a man's boot-lace.
So what's a good way to advertise? I think good word of mouth is best. I'm listed with the provincial equestrian federation, but I get most of my business from my kijiji ads. I'm so paranoid about how the ads are worded and what pictures I use!
You're just being snobby and short-sighted.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious he's training the horse to pose in the depressed Indian stance from your last post. He's almost there, too.
I hired one of my former students to train my current horse. She's 21 and wise beyond her years. She never gets mad, she just works the problem until the horse figures it out. She rides with a loose rein and a relaxed seat. I've never been happier with a trainer. That dude would be allowed to touch my cat, much less any of my horses....
ReplyDeleteIs that horse's head tied down? It looks like his bit is somehow attached to a rope on his chest: what is the point of that? (I know very little about Western riding)
ReplyDeleteI like what Becky said... I don't like the picture. Poor horse.
ReplyDeleteCan someone tell me what's in that horse's mouth?
ReplyDeleteLike Heather, I also hired a young student who has amazing talent as a rider. I like to think I've helped her some too.
And, what Becky said.
I didn't realize that you could advertise horse training in that way.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I do not believe in the use of draw reins. With a large man leveraging his weight against a device already designed to give the rider leverage against the horse, this is an extreme and sad example, but I see the use of draw reins by any rider as a version of this, not a method of "showing the horse" as I have heard it described by those who defend their use. I try not to make blanket statements, but this is one that I stand behind.
I know of one pretty good trainer who does advertise on CL. In his defense, he is new to the area and he knows a lot of eyes see CL more often than other means of advertising. And, intelligent people have asked friends who have asked friends - hey, what do you know about this guy? - And he's been able to begin building his business to where he won't starve :->
ReplyDeleteOther than him, there are many, many who resemble this photo. Yank, crank, over-riding, horses that are scared or overwhelmed ... or even better, walking horse trainers who have HPA violations (for soring) in their past (but are still allowed to train because their suspensions last a year) -- yeah, I'd want to send my horse to one of them. (And those are public record ... it just takes an owner who gives a darn to check first ... sadly, I don't think many do.)
Well Maltese Lizzie - The colt is in a ring snaffle and draw reins, two tools used and misused in both the Western and English world.
ReplyDeletei've spent the last year retraining my 22 yr old QH because of riding like this. he would tuck in his head to avoid the bit and expected pain, his back end was disconnected from his front end, and he was hollow and stiff. we ended up putting latex padding on the snaffle bit for the first month to reassure him that it wouldn't hurt and spent the next 6 months teaching him to move from behind and stretch down and into the bit. amazing to see his change in attitude now and his enjoyment rather than fear of the arena. complete change in his topline and neck muscles. can't imagine what his life was like before.
ReplyDeleteMaltese Lizzie - sort of. The trainer's using draw reins, which run through the bit to the girth either at the sides, or through the legs. They're common in both English and western as a short cut (actually, they can be used to help top line development for short periods, but MOST people abuse them).
ReplyDeleteRedhorse - it's a snaffle, not sure what kind, but it looks suspiciously like a Waterford or other chain bit.
Jennifer R.Povey - It's just a standard broken mouthpiece, I'm sure. Not cuz' I know the guy, but because I know the method.
ReplyDeleteThe horse is only two -- even us evil hick type trainers don't need to put chains in their mouth at two....
lets not make it worse than it already is, especially when you can't see the mouth piece.
This horse looks miserable and exhausted. The rider looks like he's using all of his weight bracing against the horse's mouth.... If I saw a picture of myself riding like that, I'd be thinking "Omg this picture is awful! Poor horse, I suck!"
ReplyDelete*not*
"Ya I'm an awesome horse trainer let's put this up on Craigs list".....
Scary...
Poor Baby!
ReplyDeleteI used to use drawreins, but I haven't used them in years, mostly because I decided I just wasn't graceful enough to handle those and a set of normal reins. I manage to get what I want out of just a plain bridle anyhow these days.
ReplyDeleteI used to use drawreins, but I haven't used them in years, mostly because I decided I just wasn't graceful enough to handle those and a set of normal reins. I manage to get what I want out of just a plain bridle anyhow these days.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder what happens "behind the barn" if this is the picture he uses to advertise.
ReplyDelete@Becky: ROFL!
Ugh, what Becky said.
ReplyDeleteMy father worked with horses and stock most of his life, and he told me you can tell a lot about a man by how he treats his horse. I suspect he would think the creature on that poor horse's back isn't a man's boot-lace.
So what's a good way to advertise? I think good word of mouth is best. I'm listed with the provincial equestrian federation, but I get most of my business from my kijiji ads. I'm so paranoid about how the ads are worded and what pictures I use!
ReplyDelete