Ok,We linked this page up, even though its a work in progress.
Note... this is a seriously FUN page.
The Three Common Gaits
Theres also the gallup, or what is better know as the "dead runaway" ... Heh
Grooming....
BEFORE AFTER
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Stages of Training...
Let the games begin! Now starts the fun part, it begins when the foal is born. Called imprinting.. . aptly named, because if your mare is protective, YOU may be the one imprinted by a set of hooves! HA - You imprint the foal, by touching and stroking him/her all over..talking, gently restraining. Be persistant in showing the new baby that he/she will not be hurt, and that this is a somewhat pleasant experience. Handle ears, muzzle,legs, hooves, tail, belly and private areas. Do all this right after birth, while the foal is still down. You will have a much easier time after the foal gets to its feet. If you miss the birthing, do the imprinting anyway as soon as possible, although it may take two people to gently restrain the foal while he/she is being handled. Do this for 15 minutes every day. Handling the youngster daily is a win win situation. You win because you will have an extremely calm and trusting horse, and the horse wins in the fact that he will learn more easily if he is less fearfull. Weaning time is usually a major step for baby, mama and sometimes the owner! May compare it to the first day of school for your human child.... separation anxiety. Some believe in complete separation. One day just take momma away and leave baby. I prefer the gradual method. Put in separate stalls,(or turnouts) next to each other for a while. Then maybe move momma to a stall or two away. Gradually turning her out without baby. Meanwhile of course you will be taking baby out... within sight of momma, and doing your handling with him then too. In doing things familar with the baby, he will be calmer. Picking up feet tapping them etc. Once weaning is completed some owners turn the weanling out with others near the same age. This is a good thing as the youngster learns to socialize with other horses, and you learn by watching what his/her temperament is going to be like. Aggressive, or just assertive? Mild mannered or shy? Non combative or a downright wuss?(More to come)
Fun Facts
Did you know the horse knee is most like a human wrist? Hmm... that means that the fetlock, must be like a nuckle on the finger ya think?
Typical Face Markings
The following is a list of face marking and their generally known names.
BLAZE
STRIP
BALD
RACE
SNIP
STAR, STRIP, SNIP
STAR
Most of What you Might Want to KNOW about Leg Markings
Leading, Loading, and Stayin' Alive...
Most owners seem to prefer to bribe the horse into following or loading into a trailer. Works sometimes, but not always! Better to train the horse to follow you or actually follow a cue given by you to follow, load, whatever. Following is a great method of teaching a horse to lead without hanging back, and without runing you down. (thanks, Lindy!)
Horse learns to respect your space and remain at a set distance. It goes something like this:
You lead your horse by the lead rope and sometimes he's ahead of you and sometimes he's behind. Sometimes his head is way up high and sometimes he's turning his head to look elsewhere. Today we will give you a simple lesson to teach your horse to walk beside you with his head placed at your right elbow. Not too high and not too low.
Best of all, you can teach this lesson by simply walking with your horse.
The assumption here is that your horse already leads and generally gives to pressure of the halter. He needs finishing to put his head where it belongs and to stay in the correct position as you walk.
Try this simple routine and your horse will soon lead like a champ.
Start with your horse in a well fitted halter with a lead rope attached. Stand to the left of your horse with the horse at your right shoulder. Grasp the lead rope in your right hand, about three feet from the snap. Now, hook the thumb of your right hand in the pocket of your jeans and start walking. As you walk, your horse will have three feet of slack.
Keep walking and try to keep your thumb hooked in you pocket.
(Don't hold so tight that your pocket rips or your finger dislocates - if the horse pulls.)
While you are leading the horse, if he pulls hard enough to pull your thumb from your pocket, put it back and keep walking. Keep your grip consistent at three feet from the snap. In a very short while, your horse will learn the limits of the slack and will stay within those limits as you walk.
Keep at it until your horse consistently walks with you without pulling your thumb from your pocket.
Once your horse is consistent at three feet of slack, move your grip up the lead six inches so that you now have just two and one half feet of slack. Grip well, hook your thumb in you pocket and repeat leading as above. When your horse is consistent at two and one half feet of slack, move up the lead another six inches and repeat.
Keep repeating the lesson until you are gripping the lead with just six to eight inches of slack and your horse consistently walks with you without pulling your thumb from your pocket. As you do this lesson, move forward and back, turn left and right, stop and start often. You want the horse to stay in the correct position at all times. He must be consistent.
Consistent is a word to remember, it is a major word in all horse training lessons.
You be consistent and your horse will respond consistently.
This lesson should take place over several days to a couple weeks of regular work. This is a very easy lesson to do, but takes some time and patience to get your horse consistent. You will find it is well worth it
as your horse walks beside you in exactly the right place and position.
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switch off music here
Grooming....
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STRIPBALD
Most owners seem to prefer to bribe the horse into following or loading into a trailer. Works sometimes, but not always! Better to train the horse to follow you or actually follow a cue given by you to follow, load, whatever. Following is a great method of teaching a horse to lead without hanging back, and without runing you down. (thanks, Lindy!) Horse learns to respect your space and remain at a set distance. It goes something like this:
You lead your horse by the lead rope and sometimes he's ahead of you and sometimes he's behind. Sometimes his head is way up high and sometimes he's turning his head to look elsewhere. Today we will give you a simple lesson to teach your horse to walk beside you with his head placed at your right elbow. Not too high and not too low.
Best of all, you can teach this lesson by simply walking with your horse.
The assumption here is that your horse already leads and generally gives to pressure of the halter. He needs finishing to put his head where it belongs and to stay in the correct position as you walk.
Try this simple routine and your horse will soon lead like a champ.
Start with your horse in a well fitted halter with a lead rope attached. Stand to the left of your horse with the horse at your right shoulder. Grasp the lead rope in your right hand, about three feet from the snap. Now, hook the thumb of your right hand in the pocket of your jeans and start walking. As you walk, your horse will have three feet of slack.
Keep walking and try to keep your thumb hooked in you pocket.
(Don't hold so tight that your pocket rips or your finger dislocates - if the horse pulls.)
While you are leading the horse, if he pulls hard enough to pull your thumb from your pocket, put it back and keep walking. Keep your grip consistent at three feet from the snap. In a very short while, your horse will learn the limits of the slack and will stay within those limits as you walk.
Keep at it until your horse consistently walks with you without pulling your thumb from your pocket.
Once your horse is consistent at three feet of slack, move your grip up the lead six inches so that you now have just two and one half feet of slack. Grip well, hook your thumb in you pocket and repeat leading as above. When your horse is consistent at two and one half feet of slack, move up the lead another six inches and repeat.
Keep repeating the lesson until you are gripping the lead with just six to eight inches of slack and your horse consistently walks with you without pulling your thumb from your pocket. As you do this lesson, move forward and back, turn left and right, stop and start often. You want the horse to stay in the correct position at all times. He must be consistent.
Consistent is a word to remember, it is a major word in all horse training lessons.
You be consistent and your horse will respond consistently.
This lesson should take place over several days to a couple weeks of regular work. This is a very easy lesson to do, but takes some time and patience to get your horse consistent. You will find it is well worth it
as your horse walks beside you in exactly the right place and position.
switch off music here