As long as the lessons stay brief and low key, you can really get a head start on the training down the road if you take the opportunity to focus on ground work with a young horse. Besides, ground work exercises are a great way to develop a strong relationship of trust and communication. (two things that make a great riding team between horse and rider).
I have been using a mix of methods and exercises from various natural horsemanship trainers. The objective is the same on all approaches - teach the horse conditioned responses to light and subtle pressure while developing trust and respect. Sounds pretty impressive. What it comes down to is consistancey, respecting the horse and being clear in what you are as
king him to do. There are great exercises that help est
ablish the goals.
I have introduced Flash to giving to pressure in moving over the hips, shoulder and side passes all with pressure from my hands. We have also started to explore the basics of going forward on the end of a lead rope (almost lunging) and backing. I work these exercises into our hikes through the woods and fields. Its great practice
to work in diverse settings with varying distractions.
He is a wonderful student in that he thinks about what I am asking him to do (as opposed to reacting to my cues or becoming scared or impatien
t) and then responds with the correct answer nearly every time. When he gives the wrong response, a clear and gentle reminder is all it takes and he finds the correct response again. He's a laid back fella and seems to enjoy the time we spend together.
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