Sorry, Please - Manners and Etiquette

How to train an unbroken horse with good ground manners?

I recently acquired a six year old mare who is not broke to ride however has good, steady, and sturdy ground manners. I have a trainer however I would like the opportunity to train the horse myself, due to the bonding process which occurs. I know where to start, however I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions towards the schooling of this beautiful mare. I really would like to eventually use her for barrel racing, so any suggestions/tips/hints as to the techniques to use/incorporate into her training would be highly appreciated. Any suggestions for literature?

Public Comments

1. Start by putting the saddle on and walking the horse around. Be careful because when you tighten the cinch she might buck. Next you just have to get on and maybe have someone try to lead you around while you are sitting on her. Then attempt to steer her with the reins. For barrel racing I would practice walking in tight circles and around objects so that she steers well. Take you time and don't start running her too soon, it might take awile before she is ready for anything fast, or anything other than walking:) Good Luck!
2. DON'T start by putting a saddle on her. Buy some used DVD's of trainers you like and see how they begin to put everything BUT a saddle on the horse's back. Blankets, pads, sacks, gently laying over the back for a half second etc., etc. I really like Chris Cox and have his videos with which I trained my now 5 yr old from a yearling. Too bad I don't know how to give you my email privately, or you could have some of the DVDs. Read, read, read and go slow and you will find your way together.
3. Have the trainer work with both of you. It is so vital for your horse's future career that this be done right. Any mistakes you make will have far-reaching consequences, so you can't afford to mess up.
4. nooooooo way!! do not start with saddling her. that's NOT a good idea. first, you need to get your hands on her. Pat her, get her used to you, your touch, and your voice. Then get her used to the pressure you put on her lead rope, lunge line, and bit by lunge working her. Lunge her haltered at a walk, trot, and canter. Do that for a while, then once you feel comfortable with her progress and she's progressing nicely, then you can lunge her saddled. But tack her up and lunge her immediately. Give the halter lunging some time. Lunge her haltered for at least a week. Then once she's comfortable with this, you can put a saddle on her and lunge her saddled using the same technique. Give that some time, at least a week of saddled lunging. Once your mare is comfortable with the saddle on her back, you can begin lunging her with her bridle on. This is a good way to work with bit pressure and to help her understand what you want her to do when you do something. Treat her with an apple or a sweet treat after she's had a good workout. This is just beginning ground work -- there's so much more to accomplish! Hope this helps. as for literature, i found this website: http://www.horsetraining.org