opinions on working a pair

[Billy Anderson]

i have trained my rising five yr old to drive and ride this year. My initial plan was to work away with him until my yearling was off age to train and eventually pair them up. Since losing the youngster the master-plan has changed and i’m pondering what route to take. Instead of waiting as long to have a team together and going for such a youngster again. I would like to have a horse i could get started with next spring. i suppose the most sensible option would be to get an older experienced horse but finance plays a big big part in this.
Do you think training another 4 year old and pairing them up is a feasible option, with both horses being young and not having much experience??
Thanks

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Billy, i think I can answer one part of your question and you can answer the other. You said you trained the five year old to drive and ride. Was he a completely green horse when you started? How has he turned out and did you enjoy the process? Do you want to do the same thing again?

My part of the answer is; if you can start a horse single and get them working successfully, putting them together as a team is certainly no harder, and usually simple. Horses like to work together. They are herd animals. The reason we start each animal single is not because it is the easiest thing to do, but because it is the best way to ensure a trainee is focused on us and learning form us.

One more thing to consider. An older more experienced horse is not all ways more expensive. Just keep your eye peeled for a good horse, if you feel you have the ability to start the green horse you just have a wider pool to search from. Donn

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Donn, He had been handled but that had been it. We have had our set backs, made mistake and got over them. He is a good honest horse and is settling in to work very well. I have enjoyed it no end and intend to continue training them throughout my life. I am green when it comes to working horses as a pair, although i feel competent in being able to do so. Its more me being impatient about wanting to start working a pair that’s giving me cause to ask opinions. That and some folks from here (Scotland) have said i would be giving myself a hard time working two inexperienced horse.
Over here trained experience horse’s can be from 2000 dollars and up more expensive than an unbroken 4 or 5 year old. I am vexed to pay so much more when i now i am capable to bring a horse on myself.
I have not posted a lot as yet on here, but have read so much info on older posts. I am in awe at the knowledge and the opportunity you guys get to work with draft animals. Where i live there is a shortage of experienced teamsters, especially when it comes to working horses on the land. Hence the reason i am seeking advice.
Thanks for your advice Donn. Much appreciated.

[Jim Ostergard]

Billy,
I understand your quandary. I have always bought horses that had worked in some capacity and when I decided to downsize from large drafts to draft ponies I started with a green 3 year old who had just been gelded and never even tied up. Well, today as he is ging on five I twitch my firewood with him. I only do a bit at a time as I have a 200′ steep hill he has to get up and he will run out of leg after and hour or so. I have him on the go-devil for the heavier stuff and that really helps. So I felt with the smaller guys I would want a team and picked up a 6 year old Fjord. It seemed he would be ready to go right to work but alas not so. He has some real issues around trust so I am presently down to one small youngster. Now I guess the point for me is, I am not a trainer but it has been rewarding to bring a green one along. In a perfect world and if I had a lot of work lined up I might look for a well broke and trained mate and move the Fjord on. I probably will not go that route for two reasons; I am wicked attached to the Fjord and the process is pretty rewarding. I am hoping that as the younger one comes along and can hook them together and the Fjord will follow the more grounded horse. Guess this is not much of an answer just a perspective.
Keep in touch with us here and good luck.
Jim

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