Starting Proper Training at Three
Once a young horse hits the 3-year-old mark, it can begin proper training. Some people advocate for fully breaking a horse at this young age. True, if you’re planning to sell the horse, it might be more appealing to potential buyers if it’s already quiet and safe for riding.
Adopting the Part-Break Approach
However, if you’re not in a rush to sell and instead want to keep the horse for yourself, a less intense approach might be more beneficial. It might be better to “part-break” the horse during the spring, which means starting the training process but then giving them a break. After this initial introduction to schooling, you can turn the horse back out to the fields to enjoy the summer and autumn. This way, no horse starts intensive work before reaching 4 years old.
Understanding the Individual Growth Pace
Even with this adjusted timeline, it’s important to remember that all horses develop at different rates. Just like people, horses have their unique pace of maturity. You might find that certain horses are still not ready for significant work even when they reach 4 years old, needing another year to build up sufficient strength and stamina. Recognizing and respecting these individual differences in growth and maturity rates can contribute a lot to the overall well-being and progress of each horse in your care.
Part-Breaking Horses: Tactics and Techniques
An Overview of Part-Breaking
Part-breaking refers to teaching a horse some basics of making allies with its human companions without pushing it into full-fledged training too soon. The process includes teaching the horse to lunge quietly. Some might also use the optional training technique of long reining. The horse would also learn how to carry a saddle, be calm during mount and dismount procedures, and carry a person at a relaxing walk.
Importantly, part-breaking allows a horse the necessary time to let its bones calcify and become strong enough to carry a rider’s weight and balance itself without undue strain.
The Importance of Lungeing in Training
Lungeing, teaching a horse to move in a circle around you on the end of a long rope or lunge line, forms an integral part of any equine’s training, whether the horse is intended for riding or driving. Lungeing develops obedience in a horse to the trainer’s voice, the rein instructions, and ultimately, the trainer’s wishes.
Essential Equipment for Lungeing
To start lungeing, you’ll need specific equipment—A cavesson, a lunge rein, and a long whip. While some people opt to use just a headcollar, it is always more beneficial to do the job properly. Hence, equipping yourself with an adjustable cavesson—a padded, metal-reinforced noseband designed for lungeing—can be a smart choice.
Make sure the cavesson you choose can be adjusted in terms of the headstrap, cheek-strap, and chinstrap lengths. Unfortunately, many cavessons available on the market are impractical as their manufacturers aren’t quite familiar with their practical use.
Pick a cavesson that is serviceable, not too lightweight that it can’t handle a young horse tugging on the lunge rein, but not so heavy that it would be uncomfortable for the horse’s head. Strike the right balance in choosing the equipment for an effective and comfortable lungeing process.
Starting Lungeing: Tips and Steps
Adjusting the Cavesson for Initial Lungeing
When starting to lunge a young horse, which usually isn’t using a bridle yet, you should adjust the cavesson’s noseband just above the corners of the horse’s mouth. This placement will prevent obstructing the horse’s breathing, and also provide you with easier control of the horse on the lunge rein.
Gradual Introduction to Lungeing with an Assistant
When you first begin the lungeing lessons, it can be super helpful to have a second person, an assistant, to lead your horse forward. This friend can help your horse understand that it needs to walk in a circle around you, the trainer, and stop when you give the command. This stop command can be simple English like ‘Whoa’, or you can opt for the German equivalent ‘Halt’—you choose what sounds best to you!
Progressing to Independent Lungeing
Once your horse comfortably walks, trots, and halts with the assistant closeby its head, it’s time to gradually transition towards more independent lungeing.
Try to start this new phase in a corner of a field or a covered riding area, where you have fences or walls on two sides. These barriers can act as a bit of a safety net while your horse is figuring out this whole lungeing thing.
As your horse gets better, you can gradually increase the circle’s size until you can finally lunge in the middle of the field. Remember, your position and how you use your whip play crucial roles in guiding your horse.
Building Respect and Understanding in Lungeing
The Significance of Voice and Whip in Training
The foundation of successful lungeing rests on two things – a horse’s respect for the trainer’s voice and whip. And remember, respect here doesn’t mean fear. Your horse should never be afraid of you or the whip.
When you’re giving instructions to your horse, your voice needs to be both encouraging and authoritative. This balance ensures that your horse senses both friendliness and command in your words.
The whip, on the other hand, is instrumental in positioning the horse on the circle and maintaining its pace. When the horse tries to cut into the circle, moving towards you, pointing the whip towards its shoulder helps keep the horse on the circle’s outskirt.
In such cases, a gentle shake or slight flick of the whip towards the horse’s shoulder is usually enough. Always remember, whips dragging on the ground are ineffective and pointless. So, hold your whip high in hand, ready to dab it towards the horse’s tail—if necessary—to keep the pace.
Communicating Effectively with Your Horse
Surprisingly, horses understand our tone better than the actual words. Therefore, voicing out corrections is generally effective for most young horses. However, they also recognize some simple, defined commands, like ‘walk’, ‘trot’, ‘canter’, ‘whoa’, ‘steady’, along with words of praise like ‘Good boy’ or ‘Good girl’.
Interestingly, every trainer develops unique words or phrases that their horses seem to comprehend well. Some trainers, including non-native English speakers, use ‘So, so’, or even simple gratitude like ‘Thank you’. Personally, I often use ‘Thank you, good girl or boy’. Although this may amuse some, my horses understand me perfectly. It’s amusing, really, how our little quirks can become integral to our training language.
Introducing the Saddle or Roller to Your Horse
Creating Positive Associations for the Tack
Once your horse is lungeing obediently and comfortably, it’s time to introduce some new gear, like a roller or a saddle. Essentially, you’re looking for something that fits snugly around the horse’s girth area, like a belt or a tight corset would fit a person.
If your horse has already worn a rug in the stable, this won’t feel too unfamiliar. But for those who haven’t, well, they might need some convincing.
Always introduce this gear in a safe open space like a field, giving your horse plenty of room to wander and explore without injury. Let your horse get acquainted with the saddle or roller—show it, let your horse sniff it, even place it on and off their neck till they’re cool with you sliding it behind their withers.
Reinforcing Safety While Tightening the Girth
To ensure safety while tightening the girth, fasten a piece of string or a breastplate around the horse’s chest. This trick prevents the roller from sliding back into the horse’s flank, which could scare them silly, especially if you couldn’t fully tighten the girth before they decide to take off.
Always have your assistant hold onto the lunge rein before you move forward. This way, if your horse starts bucking, you won’t have to deal with a scared, bucking horse running wild.
Accepting the New Feel and Ensuring Comfort
Most horses will eventually accept this new feel, and the girth can be tightened accordingly. Some horses might put up a bit of a fuss, which can actually be a sign of spirit and vitality. It’s better for them to express their discomfort early on rather than silently accepting the change but harboring resistance.
Of course, some blessed ones, perhaps ones you’ve wrapped in rugs since their first year, might accept the new gear with graceful confidence. But don’t be surprised if even these cool customers throw in a quick buck or two on the lunge, showing their vibrant spirit. If they didn’t do this occasionally, you might start to worry about whether they’re healthy or enjoying their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the right age to start part-breaking a horse?
A: Horses mature at different rates, but the general consensus is to start part-breaking horses around the age of 3 years old. A younger horse has bones and joints that are still developing and part-breaking too early could put unnecessary strain on their bodies.
Q: How long does part-breaking a horse typically take?
A: The duration of part-breaking largely depends on the individual horse and its training regimen. It typically takes several weeks to a few months. Remember, every horse is unique and it’s crucial not to rush this process.
Q: What if my horse refuses to obey during part-breaking?
A: Patience is key here. If your horse is refusing to follow commands, it could be due to fear, discomfort, or misunderstanding. Reassure your horse by repeating the actions slowly and providing lots of positive reinforcement when it responds correctly.
Q: How frequently should I conduct part-breaking sessions?
A: Regularity is crucial in part-breaking. Short, frequent sessions (around 15-20 minutes) done daily or every other day can be more beneficial than long, infrequent ones. This approach helps to keep the learning experience positive and reduces the risk of overwhelming the horse.
Q: Should part-breaking be done by a professional or can I attempt it myself?
A: If you’re inexperienced, it’s best to seek help from a professional horse trainer or someone with extensive knowledge of horse behavior. However, if you’re confident in your abilities, part-breaking can be a rewarding experience for both you and your horse. It’s vital to handle this process with patience, understanding, and respect for your horse’s wellbeing.
Q: How do I find the right balance between being authoritative and encouraging with my voice during training?
A: Begin by speaking to your horse in a calm, friendly tone and gradually increase the assertiveness, as needed. Remember to praise and reinforce good behavior by maintaining a warm tone. The key is to ensure that your horse senses both command and encouragement in your voice.
Q: What if I accidentally use the whip too harshly and my horse becomes afraid of it?
A: Take a step back and work on rebuilding trust and respect. Gradually reintroduce the whip during training sessions and consistently use it in a gentle, controlled manner. Over time, your horse will reassociate the whip as a helpful tool rather than something to fear.
Q: Are there alternatives to using a whip for horse training?
A: Yes, some alternatives include using a long dressage or lungeing whip that allows for greater precision and less force, or a carrot stick, which is used for gentle reinforcement. However, regardless of the tool used, always ensure consistency in your training methods and maintain respect for your horse’s comfort.
Q: How can I tell if my horse truly understands my voice commands?
A: Pay close attention to how your horse reacts to your commands. If your horse consistently responds as expected, it’s a clear indication that they understand. However, if your horse shows confusion, repeat the commands patiently and provide positive reinforcement when they respond correctly.
Q: Do I need to use specific words or phrases for voice commands during training?
A: You can use familiar words or phrases, such as ‘walk’, ‘trot’, ‘canter’, or ‘whoa’, as these are common in horse training. Over time, you may develop unique cues that your horse easily understands. The most important aspect is consistency in using these words and phrases to facilitate better communication.
Frequently Asked Questions about Starting Lungeing
Q: How do I get my horse comfortable with the concept of lungeing?
A: Introduce lungeing slowly. Start by letting your horse get used to the lunge line in a controlled environment. Let it see, smell, and touch the lunge line. Take small steps and always reward good, calm behavior.
Q: My horse keeps getting tangled in the lunge line. What should I do?
A: If your horse gets tangled, don’t panic. Calmly ask your horse to stop, approach it gently, and untangle the line. Never yank the line or jerk it—this might scare your horse. Over time, your horse will learn to stay clear of the lunge line.
Q: What’s the best way to guide my horse during lungeing?
A: When guiding your horse, use clear, distinct voice commands along with concise, deliberate body language. Maintaining eye contact, using the lungeing whip effectively, and positioning yourself correctly can all help guide the horse.
Q: How long should a lungeing session be?
A: As a general rule, a lungeing session should last between 20-30 minutes. Remember, the goal is to mentally and physically engage your horse without causing it to become overly tired or frustrated.
Q: What if my horse isn’t responding to my commands while lungeing?
A: Patience is key. Keep your commands consistent and ensure your body language helps indicate what you want the horse to do. Repeat commands and reward your horse when it correctly responds. Never resort to shouting or harsh actions.
