Training and Horsemanship Chapter 34 Objectives Explain the

Training and Horsemanship Chapter 34

Objectives • Explain the basic principles of training a horse • Describe basic horsemanship procedures • List basic procedures for showing a horse

Understanding the Behavior of Horses • Behavior of horses is based upon survival instincts • Horses’ eyes see independently • Horses must raise their heads to see objects at a distance • Horses must lower their heads to bring close objects into focus

Understanding the Behavior of Horses (cont. ) • Horses have very good memories • Training a horse requires skill, patience, and careful handling • Begin training when they are still foals • Horses have a banding instinct • Horses can hear very high pitches • Horses also have a good sense of smell

Understanding the Behavior of Horses (cont. ) • The rider communicates to the horse through – Voice – Hands – Legs – Weight • Horses can sense when a rider is secure or is not secure

Training the Young Horse • Haltering – A foal may be halter-broken when it is only a few weeks old – Once the halter is introduced, give positive reinforcements • Petting • Small amount of grain

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Leading – To teach a foal to lead • Use a rope tied around the rump and the halter • Pull on the ropes to get the foal to move in a forward motion • Working with the Feet – The foal should be taught to allow its feet to be picked up and handled

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Longeing – Longeing is training the horse at the end of a 25 - to 30 -foot line – The horse should be taught to walk, trot, and canter in a circle, in that order

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Saddling – Horse must be prepared for saddling several days before it is first saddled – Sacking is performed – When saddling for the first time, let the horse see and smell the saddle – Then, move the blanket on and off the horse several times

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Saddling (cont. )

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Use of Hackamore and Bridle – A hackamore can be used in training young horses, to prevent mouth injury – A bridle with a snaffle bit may also be used • Driving – Some trainers ground-drive prior to mounting and riding

Training the Young Horse (cont. ) • Mounting and Riding – Mount horse several times so it will get used to the weight – Allow horse to walk on its own for a short time – Stop horse with voice command, “whoa” – After weeks of training in small area, move to more open spaces – Horse learns best at a slow gait

Horsemanship • Art of riding a horse • Also called equitation • Two general types – Western – English • Those wishing to ride must be taught by a competent instructor

Horsemanship (cont. ) • Mounting – The horse is mounted from the near left side

Horsemanship (cont. ) • Mounting (cont. ) – Begin mounting by placing the left foot in the stirrup

Horsemanship (cont. ) • Mounting (cont. ) – When mounting, the rider pushes off with the left foot and swings the right leg

Horsemanship (cont. ) • Seat Position – Rider sits relaxed in the center of the saddle

Horsemanship (cont. ) • Dismounting – The reverse of mounting • Controlling the Horse – Basic aids used in controlling include voice, hands, legs, and weight – Use the reins to teach the horse to turn

Showing at Halter • Horses shown at halter are judged for – Conformation – Soundness – Action • Horse is led into ring at a brisk walk • The horses will be lined up and shown – Stretched position or nonstretched position

Equitation Classes • Western Equitation – The rider wears a Western hat and cowboy boots – Rider maintains a firm seat in the saddle – The horse is expected to demonstrate a • Walk • Trot • Lope both clockwise and counterclockwise

Equitation Classes (cont. ) • English Equitation – Informal clothing – Formal attire is required for evening saddle seat equitation and three-gaited classes – Reins are always carried in both hands – Rider needs a high level of skill – Horses are often more high-strung, animated – Rider uses posting –

Equitation Classes (cont. ) • English Equitation (cont. ) – Horse is expected to demonstrate • • Jumping A walk A trot A canter, in both directions in the ring

Gymkhana • Games on horseback, including – Pole bending – Clover-leaf barrel race – Rescue race, sack race – Wheelbarrow race – Keyhole race, saddling race – Team baton race

Rodeos • Horse must be well trained • Events include – Saddle bronc riding – Chuck wagon races – Bareback bronc riding – Calf and steer roping – Bulldogging

Rodeos (cont. ) • Events include (cont. ) – Wild horse races – Reining contests – Cutting horse contests

Trail Riding • Trail riding is a popular activity • A trail ride may span a few hours or a few days • Must prepare for a trail ride and build up endurance