tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post9156280564493322064..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Why We Might Need A TrainerMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-23018291732628069182008-08-10T12:12:00.000-06:002008-08-10T12:12:00.000-06:00laura crum said->> One tip, if you're in...laura crum said-<BR/>>> One tip, if you're interested in simply making a better broke horse, as I am these days, its helpful to find a trainer who is not too involved in showing (of whatever discipline). Most of these << <BR/><BR/>Excellent point. That's where the NH'ers can step in.<BR/>Also, it will help your youngster to be as broke as possible (ala fugs) before he goes into specialized training.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-39620278875484710922008-08-10T11:22:00.000-06:002008-08-10T11:22:00.000-06:00Sarah,Give me a break. I'm talking about the basic...Sarah,<BR/>Give me a break. I'm talking about the basic make-up of the horse. If you train it, and it quits spooking, than you have taught it to cope with it's fear. <BR/>If you sell it, and the next person to work with that horse doesn't maintain the training, it will no longer be able to cope, and become a spook again.<BR/>You can't change who the horse is.<BR/>So 1. You have done a good job training your horse, and should be proud.<BR/>2. I have said more than once I don't care how you train your horse as long as it works for you, and is safe for both you and the horse.<BR/>3. If you have such little confidence in your own obvious ability, and you need to buy into carrot sticks etc., that's your choice.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55215084943975191762008-08-10T10:52:00.000-06:002008-08-10T10:52:00.000-06:00"If it's a spook, it will always be one."Surely yo..."If it's a spook, it will always be one."<BR/><BR/>Surely you jest!!<BR/>I don't know what kind of training methods you use...but my horse used to be a major spookaholic. If she saw her own shadow, she would pretend she was a Lipizzaner.<BR/>Really.<BR/><BR/>A well-known Morgan trainer was helping me for about half a year...till I started training her by myself. She's been in the Parelli Program for two years now(which makes me a sinner, cult member, and bad rider, I know) and she has not spooked ONCE in the past two years.<BR/>Not once.<BR/><BR/>Of course since I do Parelli, maybe I'm too busy jumping over picnic tables with my $85492052 string to let my horse spook...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89877272244239870502008-08-10T09:15:00.000-06:002008-08-10T09:15:00.000-06:00I agree with your thoughts, mugwump, and I have re...I agree with your thoughts, mugwump, and I have resorted to a trainer myself this summer, despite the fact that I normally ride all my horses myself. But I was gone for the month of July and am over-impacted writing my 11th mystery, so I sent the four-year-old (Smoky, who I wrote about earlier on equestriaininkblogspot) to a trainer I know well who has been in business for twenty plus years, and has helped me with other horses in the past. The colt just came back home last week and he's doing great. It is possible to develope a relationship of trust with a trainer (if its the right trainer) and go off on vacation leaving your horse with said trainer, and everything will go fine in your absence. You just have to develope that relationship first, as I think you'd agree, Mugwump. One tip, if you're interested in simply making a better broke horse, as I am these days, its helpful to find a trainer who is not too involved in showing (of whatever discipline). Most of these specialist trainers are really only very interested in the horses that are aimed at a show career. Reining trainers want future reined cowhorses that they can show or coach their non-pros to show, cutting trainers want cutters...etc. They will not (in general) take much interst in your horse if its not there for that purpose.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-15687912239731801362008-08-09T20:17:00.000-06:002008-08-09T20:17:00.000-06:00Hi mugs, I love your blog. Wowza! I keep getting k...Hi mugs, I love your blog. Wowza! <BR/>I keep getting kicked off when I leave a comment. Yall come visit me at reinersblog.com/mtnm/<BR/><BR/>mtn mollieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13299685808052309212008-08-09T16:08:00.000-06:002008-08-09T16:08:00.000-06:00Mugs, I love the photo. Your little horse is so p...Mugs, I love the photo. Your little horse is so pretty! I love the WP girl behind you looking on as well. I think you are having more fun than she is. <BR/><BR/>I had some fun today putting my old boy in my daughter's old WP show bit and riding him on a very loose rein. I think he likes it so much better, just like Sydney's horse. Mine was an English school horse for years, by default, but he's a Sonny Dee Bar AQHA, so he seems to prefer Western. I don't know what he did before he was a school horse -- probably Western. I was just happy to get a bit on him after 1/2 an hour of intense "conversation." I'm seriously thinking about a trainer for him so thanks for the advice.Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-41834962234418392142008-08-09T15:11:00.000-06:002008-08-09T15:11:00.000-06:00"sydney-can you mix it up? Today's English day, wh..."sydney-can you mix it up? Today's English day, where I work, and tomorrow will be western play day?"<BR/><BR/>I am not a trainer, but my mare is WP "trained" and I am converting to English/Dressage/Jumping (although she was used for English lessons). It has taken me over a year to get her from leaning on the bit by riding with loose reins. I still doing both Western (I do have a Western saddle I use to mix things up)and English with her...I posted before about doing "slow spins" (turns on the haunches) and other WP things in an English saddle...I do love the Trail classes. She is finally getting on the bit and collecting. <BR/><BR/>I laughed at the mixing-up...today I was jumping her and she was a bit tired and was trotting the last jump and ignoring my (tired) legs...so I put both reins in one hand, grabbed the ends in the other, wolloped her, and got her to canter up to and over the jump "ala Cowboy" :). <BR/><BR/>Maybe it's me, but I don't care what saddle I'm in...I'm going to start barrel patterns with her (she's one smart gal, and gets bored easily, so I"m always throwing something different in on her "fun" ride days). I'm sure if she gets really fast around the barrels, I'll want my Western saddle, tho - but I wouldn't want to jump in it! Ouch! <BR/><BR/>Oh, BTW, those plastic cat litter containers make great markers for serpentines, low jump standards, etc. Never could figure what to do with them, hated to put them in a landfill...so now they have a second life.<BR/><BR/>Oops...sorry for the ramble!HorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-58763896203528632192008-08-09T14:29:00.000-06:002008-08-09T14:29:00.000-06:00>>I have to agree with you. Kind green horse...>>I have to agree with you. Kind green horses are better than experienced nutty ones.<<<BR/><BR/>Indeed. I found out that Bessie's owners came out the other night when I was not home and proceeded to ride her around the field. I had two rides on her at that point, and we have no history on this mare other than her foaling record.<BR/><BR/>She was fine. She wouldn't move out of a slow walk but she was fine. <BR/><BR/>There's no substitute for a brain and a quiet disposition. You just can't train that in.verylargecolthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18035418539530230889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-70082645001200281382008-08-09T13:18:00.000-06:002008-08-09T13:18:00.000-06:00What I want is to live in a place where I can find...What I want is to live in a place where I can find someone to help my poor pokey no motor bored out of his mind appy. I wouldnt get help from the people around here if my life depended on it. So my beautiful appy with the best attitude towards life ever, sits in a pasture getting fat, because I dont know how to help him. He will never be an english horse, ever, and I dont know a darn thing about western. well at least he makes a great w/t horse for my friends 5 year old daughter....kaptkaos113https://www.blogger.com/profile/04371908125908386310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-78537558995997585242008-08-09T07:49:00.000-06:002008-08-09T07:49:00.000-06:00Very good points mugwup!!! It might also be a good...Very good points mugwup!!! <BR/><BR/>It might also be a good idea to check out the trainers other students as well. (esp with amature or youth if your showing with a group)<BR/><BR/>Do the students ride well and take good care of there horses? Does everyone pitch in at shows or do clients get handed there horse to walk into the ring with? Students will take there lead from a trainer and even if you dont see bad stuff in a trainer you might see it in a bunch of students.<BR/><BR/>You can always learn somthing.Justaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35458953563575138482008-08-09T05:49:00.000-06:002008-08-09T05:49:00.000-06:00sydney-can you mix it up? Today's English day, whe...sydney-can you mix it up? Today's English day, where I work, and tomorrow will be western play day?<BR/>BTW I take my dressage lessons in my cutter.<BR/>esquared-I truly don't know. Do you have a specific trainer in mind?mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-24245576405535685702008-08-09T00:42:00.000-06:002008-08-09T00:42:00.000-06:00Wow... I've never thought of asking my vet to reco...Wow... I've never thought of asking my vet to recommend a trainer! *smacks head* AND my vet is an actual horsewoman so she just MAY know of one.<BR/>Man mugs, some days you make me feel so dumb! lolcdncowgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055181472294995601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-60271303932276551882008-08-08T22:02:00.000-06:002008-08-08T22:02:00.000-06:00Mugs-She does give to one rein at a time. She know...Mugs-She does give to one rein at a time. She knows how to walk in a strait line and bend her head to the side, one rein stop etc. I consider her a very well trained horse if you know how to go about asking for it. If I pick up one rein at a time and put a little pressure on it she flexes right around to my knee (I teach that to all my horses on the ground and in saddle for suppleness). She flexes at the poll like nothing and backs when I take my leg way off her sides (yes I did some reining with her).<BR/>I think i'll ride her western for a wile and slowly start implementing the contact again. I think shes just a horse that relaxes when she can look around and pick her own path. I love riding western I just find I work so much harder on myself in english. <BR/>It's not like I have a paddock or anything to practice riding in anyway so we are on the trails or in the field. I think shes finally relaxing a lot more and since I am not worried about perfect hand position I just kind of jello. What a great feeling. I want to ride again so bad but I am soooo busy this weekend. I have a wedding tomorrow (blah, I have to wear a dress -_-) and I am hired for pony rides on Sunday.<BR/><BR/>I have to agree with you. Kind green horses are better than experienced nutty ones.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523660446608394720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-23240476031507358562008-08-08T21:31:00.000-06:002008-08-08T21:31:00.000-06:00What would you suggest if there were no trainers f...What would you suggest if there were no trainers for your disipline in your area? I'm without a trailer so anything out of the area is close to impossible.Esquaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430866656336769601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-44751732880903775432008-08-08T19:51:00.000-06:002008-08-08T19:51:00.000-06:00Go Sydney!- if you really want her to go English, ...Go Sydney!- if you really want her to go English, try teaching her to give one rein at a time.Then to tolerate a light hold a few seconds at at a time. Then begin driving her forward into the bit a few steps at a time. Eventually lengthen the amount of time you want her on the bit.<BR/>OR- Rider her western like she wants, and you can both enjoy your selves.<BR/>summersmom-Don't be afraid to change trainers. Ask around, your vet, people you see who ride well, your vet.... give your trainer a chance....take severel lessons before deciding.<BR/>Do you walk away from each lesson with new knowledge? Is your horse better, even a little? Tiny steps forward work best.<BR/>I'd be inclined to stick with a kind, green horse, than a well trained hot one.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-45644938152250291992008-08-08T19:23:00.000-06:002008-08-08T19:23:00.000-06:00When do you know if its time to get a trainer? Or ...When do you know if its time to get a trainer? Or what you expect out of them and your horse? I am a pretty green rider, and somehow let a friend talk me into buying a green, hardmouthed, pregnant mare last summer. She told me foals were easy and that all I needed to do with this mare was put time on her. She said she would help me, but she has two kids and a job and I don't expect much, which is good cause I didn't get much. But here I am a year later and I'm an even less confident rider than I was to begin with and I'm not sure my horse is any better either. I've been bucked off by two different horses, neither was mine, and one of those landed me in the ER after I cracked my head open on the pavement. I adore my horse and she has a great mind, isn't overly spooky and honestly tries for me. But neither of us knows a damn thing other than my lack of confidence makes her tense and we feed off each other. I'm to the point I think I need to sell her. But at the same time I feel like if I do I'm giving up on her. She needs confidence to be confident, and even though I've been taking lessons for the last few weeks I'm not sure its helping. I've come to really respect you as a trainer and would like your opinion.summersmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545553348128321600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19182023191136965372008-08-08T18:10:00.000-06:002008-08-08T18:10:00.000-06:00I think every single trainer can teach you somethi...I think every single trainer can teach you something.<BR/>They can teach you what to do, or what not to do if you watch them and figure out what works and what doesn't.<BR/><BR/>Oh, by the way mugs. Remember when I was talking about my mare that was previously head mare becoming skittery and nervous? I had one of those lightbulb over the head moments today and had the most amazing ride.<BR/>It turns out I was not willing to listen to her at the time but we had an amazing breakthrough today and I don't see her (or myself rather) turning back either. She said she wanted the reins longer, I said I want to ride english. She said "the saddle fits but HELL NO!" I guess shes still a western horse at heart and I need to start riding like I am in my ol tex-tan again. I rode today with my hand on the buckle of my reins, resting on her withers and the other on my knee. She even put her head down so low she was practically scraping her nose off the ground. Her back cracked and she sighed.<BR/>I think I am in love with my new found forgotten horse :PAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523660446608394720noreply@blogger.com