Would a draft horsebe easyer to train

[Eli]

Next time I hitch scarlet I will make sure the britching is snug it probably was not last time. I hade that problem when I first hitched Gypsy but she is an old pro. I hope to have help next time I hitch her this should help to keep her calm. Eli

[Carl Russell]

Components vs. communication……

The equipment should be safe, adjusted properly, and appropriate, but we cannot concentrate effectively on communication if we keep looking to components as possible reasons for difficulty. The horse can accommodate a significant amount of discomfort (not desirable) and distraction if they are secure in the leadership of your communication.

Carl

[Eli]

Carl I agree I steped back and reviewed my methods. I changed bits because she she never liked the broken bit and always fraught it. I am at my upper limit training this horse but am learning I think we are making progress. I am also changing my relationship with my horse making her more of a partner and less of a pet. Eli

[grey]

When someone is green to the whole arrangement, the definitions of “safe”, “adjusted properly” and “appropriate” may not be readily apparent. Questioning your choice and adjustment of equipment is, I think, permissible. However, I do agree that people can easily become sidetracked looking for the one gimmick or piece of equipment that will solve their problem when, in reality, third world persons get the job done every day with just a stick, a sack and some rope. When does “fine-tuning” become “molly-coddling”?

When the horse is projecting more energy than we are comfortable with, it is natural to try to find the source of that energy input to try to quell it. Sometimes the source of that excess energy is the horse’s own unease, or even our own. Those can be the hardest to pinpoint, and sometimes that source only becomes apparent in retrospect, after it is shut off. The distraction of our own discomfort can be sufficient to blind us to it.

[grey]

When you are learning how to read a horse, I feel that it is important to understand the distinction between the REASON for a horse’s behavior and an EXCUSE or a TRIGGER for a horse’s behavior.

A horse may kick at something that brushes against his leg one day, but not another day. The REASON might be that he is on-edge one day and comfortable another day. Something brushing against his leg was simply an EXCUSE to kick or a TRIGGER for kicking. Meaning that he was already kicky-feeling because he was on-edge, but when something brushed his leg, it TRIGGERED the kick.

Kind of like waking up with a headache in the morning putting you in a foul mood, then griping at someone for a small infraction that you would otherwise have let slide. The REASON was the headache. The small infraction was the TRIGGER. Remove the reason and the trigger becomes less meaningful or even meaningless.

A sloppy britchen or an uncomfortable bit might be a trigger. You will have to find the reason.

[Eli]

The bit I tried is an old rusty straight bit from an old bridle I had hanging around I knew scarlet didn’t like the broken bit when I broke her to ride so I thought I would tryed it and it seams better. Now when she stands she will relax kock her hip and drop her head instead of shaking her head and chewing. Thanks again got go pay for some hay $$$$

[grey]

My best horse’s favorite bit is a handmade loose-ring snaffle with a big fat, rusty straight iron mouthpiece. Wish I had about six more.

[Eli]

I am thinking of taking my Scarlet to an Amish guy to have her finished. I told what I’ve done so far and he thinks he could finish her in a month. She has a good woa ground drives good stands to be harnessed never kicked. He said it sounds like she is mostly barn sour and he would hitch her with a large Belgian and she will pick it up easy. He also gave me some pointers that would make it easyer for me if I don’t bring her. $300 a month plus feed sounds better than buying more horses. We would go and check him out before we drop her off and check out his horses my only concern is that she will be mistreated. But it sounds pretty promising what do you think? Eli

[j.l.holt]

Eli. These people who are ”getting after” their horses with a buggy whip might be at a different level of trainning than you. You say your horse will do all of these things, just what is it that she is not doing ? She might be telling you shes ready to move to the next step. If you feel she is haveing trouble with the cart becasuse it so light, tie a couple tires behind. as she settles down cut one loose. Then the next when she is going good. If its just the idea of the shafts touching her, hook up and tie to the hitch rail as you would to teach standing tied or wearing the harness. After touching and smelling this for a couple hours it will be a no issue. repeat every chance you get. You will get to a point that you forget why you are doing this.
A horse is a animal of repition, good and bad is remembered. good luck.

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