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Post by donnalex on Jan 11, 2011 14:17:23 GMT 1
When they are very newly backed I always work them in the round pen first to take the freshness out of them so they are not too frisky when we set off down the lane. I do try to ride out with another but the trouble is that a lot of riders are acually more of a hindrance than a help. Unless they are confident riders themselves they dither about, their horses dont go forwards and I am better off without them. Being out at the front on a baby that is constantly looking back for the other horse is worse than being on your own as anything out in front that is a bit spooky and catches them by surprise. Safety on the road depends an awful lot on forwardness. If they will move on immediately when asked you are most way there
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Post by lisap on Jan 12, 2011 0:37:02 GMT 1
I'm with Donnalex and Special sparkle on this one. We start our young or remedial horses with a spell in a field next to the road. Then we lead the unbacked ones down to the end of our drive with a sensible older horse and let them stand and look at the traffic going past. We do this for about 3 or 4 days. When they are backed we do the same, ride them down the drive with their 'nanny' and let them see the traffic. Then we go out on the roads. We are lucky, we are able to go out in a gang, horse in front, horse to the side and horse behind, baby tucked safely on the inside. We are *very* assertive with traffic, and have very rarely ever had a problem, we do smile and thank drivers profusely. Baby is usually so concerned about keeping their balance with their rider that they are usually ever so good! We'll do this for a couple of weeks and then we reduce the nanny gang to one or two other horses and by this time we are also encouraging the baby to take their turn putting their nose in front occasionally. I personally would never lead or longline a horse on the road, far too dangerous imo. However, each to their own, but those of us who choose to ride out for the first time rather than lead out are not necessarily 'beat 'em until they stop bucking' types!
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