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Post by Whitewolf821 on Jan 27, 2009 18:16:38 GMT -5
but there were some *cough* temperment issues that really needed to be addressed HAHA! That was the first thing I was warned about stepping on Jaime's farm. "She looks nice, but don't let her fool you. She'll try to sucker you in close enough...." She's recently started jumping lightly, as a nearly-five year old, and that's the earliest I think jumping should be started. How is she enjoying jumping? I had no idea you had started her in that.
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Post by schwung on Jan 27, 2009 19:18:15 GMT -5
Tessa's been with an A circuit hunter trainer for a couple of weeks now. She showed an interest and aptitude for jumping and it seems to distract her from wanting to stand on her hind legs quite as much. The bad news is she is there to be sold - a very hard decision that I had to make after much deliberation, but the sad fact is that I am not in a place right now to be able to do her justice, nor is it safe for me to have her at my farm when there are so many guests and volunteers present, given her penchant for human flesh. She's probably the best quality horse I will ever own in my lifetime - she came out far better than I would have ever expected her to - and she needs to be in a top-quality show barn and have a serious job. I am not in a place to give her that and also have discovered that for me, I need a relationship with my horses - and Tessa - for all her talent - is not nor will she ever be a "snuggly" type. Anyway, I am still kind of torn up about it so I haven't really been talking about her much.
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Post by horsewrangler on Jan 27, 2009 19:44:18 GMT -5
I start my horses between 3 1/2 and 4. I usually start with ground work and then when they are almost 3 I ground drive them to get them ready to ride. All horses need exercise, its very important but you don't want to start it to early. My friend lunges her 1 1/2 yr old about once a week to exercise him. It also depends on the person training the horse because so many people have different opinions. I say take in all the information you can get from the different people and use the advice that works for you. One thing about horses is you never stop learning and i always keep an open mind.
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Post by cat67 on Jan 27, 2009 19:59:06 GMT -5
I certainly agree with not jumping until a later age. So many people jump them at three and then wonder why they have so many soundness problems. It's good to hear Tessa has found something she enjoys. She seems to be such a fearless personality - maybe she will be a good x-country horse.
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cricket
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Post by cricket on Jan 27, 2009 20:12:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. My gelding is 6 years old now; someone told me that if I'm not careful it will be too late to have him trained. Is there any truth to that? I can see maybe if he was much older, but at 6 or even 7? That doesn't make sense to me. And, as I mentioned earlier, I didn't want to start him under saddle before he was fully matured. Then I was a little concerned that maybe I waited too long...?
He is turned out 24/7 so he's not cooped up. We've worked on ground manners, standing still for the farrier, etc. He started having issues with biting, rearing and being touched at around 2 years of age, but we've made significant progress with all those issues. He is definitely ready to have a job to do though! I was clearing out some brush that had grown up around the trees in the pasture this weekend and he was following me around and just being a pest!
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Post by horsewrangler on Jan 27, 2009 20:25:32 GMT -5
Alot of horses get started late, it happens. The only thing that makes it more difficult is as they get older they get more stubburn. Like the saying "can't teach an old dog new tricks."I was working with a 9 yr old QH horse trying to slow her down and be more flexible. everything she did was quick. Well she was set to her ways and would argue everything I asked of her. Shes taking me flying through the air (on her back), bucks when shes angry and she makes you work for what you want. This also depends on the type of horse, every horse is different. Some also being older it takes them longer to learn things, also depending on the horse. So basicly to sum it up, it all depends on the horse.
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Post by cat67 on Jan 27, 2009 20:37:38 GMT -5
I started a 10 year old this past summer - no problems. She's just lazy.
Juliane started Prince Caspian, who was 7, last summer...no issues at all, so easy that he went to the SAFE show after a half-dozen rides.
It just depends on the horse but I don't think waiting until later creates any new issues UNLESS you also wait until later to do all of the groundwork, basic handling, etc. Then you may have the rodeo on your hands!
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Post by novahotrod on Jan 27, 2009 22:07:45 GMT -5
I started one of my Arabians at 8 and had no problems at all. ( I got him as an unbroken 8 year old, and he was very scary at the time. That's why I took him. He was going to be killed by his previous owner, literally. Now he is one of my best friends. Going on 9 years now. But I do know ( ex- friend ) a woman that buys horses young and cheap, uses them for endurance and once their ankles fuse or knees give out she runs them to auction and gets few more to start over with. IT KILLS ME to know that she runs these horses the way she does when not in a ride. It is the most horrible thing to witness these pour animals run so hard 4 and 5 days a week ( until they are foaming white and dripping ) Hence the reason we are not friends any longer.
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shekaberry
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Post by shekaberry on Jan 27, 2009 22:49:23 GMT -5
Dory will likely be easy to start under-saddle since she takes everything in stride and tries to do whatever is asked. Her sweet temperment, quiet personality and aptitude for learning makes her a steal. Not to mention how cute she is!
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Post by coconut on Jan 28, 2009 1:34:01 GMT -5
We didn't know any of Coconut's training history and while she has always been easy to tack up, she acted like she didn't know a thing and would put her nose to my boot in the stirrup and ask "what the heck are you doing with THAT?" so we brought in the professionals and she was (re?) started from the ground up at the age of 11-13...as we do not know her real age. She's still in training now at 12/14 but we don't discuss age with her, she's too much of a lady (not saying there's anything wrong with being a "Lady" Leah ). I'd like to think it's never too late!
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lyn51
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Post by lyn51 on Jan 28, 2009 14:55:45 GMT -5
Thanks for everyone's thoughts on growth and predicting size. I once again learned a few more things.
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jbirashk
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Post by jbirashk on Apr 16, 2009 23:51:13 GMT -5
Do we have any updates on Dory? I really love that girl, and i'd love to hear how she's doing.
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Post by natluvshelping on Apr 20, 2009 19:51:41 GMT -5
Sorry if this has been mentioned but is Dory rideable? She is absolutely STUNNING!!!
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Post by leahlady on Apr 20, 2009 19:52:56 GMT -5
Well... she is TWO.. so not yet!
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Post by schwung on Apr 24, 2009 17:16:06 GMT -5
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