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Post by gporter1 on Dec 19, 2011 22:17:43 GMT 1
I love Jen's notion of baby steps, to be honest it is the thing I have found that has worked for me and one of my horses. He's always been a bit 'sharp' - not like my lovely reliable boy - and although I think the world of him I have struggled to actually make a lot of progress over the years - feels like one step forward and two steps back sometimes! Recently I have been using Ben Hart's shaping plans (you can google Hart's Horsemanship and find the plans on his site) - there are plans for all kinds of things, and part of the package tells you exactly how to use them; how often to repeat steps, when to progress etc, what you need to be looking for in the horse ... they are baby steps, and as Jen says it is not rocket science, but sometimes it is hard to realise how baby those steps should be. I found the plans just gave me a structure and helped me focus on small steps which add up to good progress. It is also a very safe way of working, and makes sure you don't get yourself in a situation that might be a bit tricky for either you or the horse. It doesn't matter what your training approach is, whether you choose to use food rewards or not, the plans are still really helpful. Lol, I'm not getting paid for advertising them, I have just found them so useful and they have helped me fill in lots of little gaps in my training.
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Post by lisap on Dec 20, 2011 10:22:45 GMT 1
Kanga's advice is so sound - she really has been there and got the T shirt, so I'd definitely listen to her on this one.
One thing from my point of view - I would *NEVER EVER* longline outside a school or a fenced field. This current craze regarding longlining is, in my opinion, a very dangerous trend. You have far more control when on top of the horse, or when leading from a suitable halter, than you do when on longlines behind a horse.
I also have views regarding longlining young horses etc - the Spanish Riding School only longline their most advanced horses, never the novices.....
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Post by narkymare on Dec 20, 2011 18:13:43 GMT 1
ty so mcuh everyone who has replied - i have read tehm all and will implement all your wonderful advice
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