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It appears the time has come.

2K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  HowClever 
#1 ·
I've made the decision to send Trojan to a trainer for a little while to be started under saddle. He's just one of those horses who needs the most experienced hand possible. And while I am doing just fine with my 2 other green horses, I just don't have the patience to get him started at the moment.

He has quite the dubious past and was certainly not a trusting horse when I first got him. He has come along a bit, in that I can handle him much more casually now. I can pick up all 4 feet without him trying to kick me, he'll stand nicely for the farrier, I can touch his face and ears, etc etc. He is still terribly whip shy and would much rather run at a hundred miles an hour around the roundyard then let me put the saddle blanket on him. He's even terrified of his rug. Not so much once it is on, but getting it off and on is quite the task.

Anyway, I have been in contact with a training ranch that has a great name and they have invited me to come out and have a look at the way they work and their facilities, to make sure that Trojan and they will work well together. Now it is just a matter of saving up the money! I will continue to work on his basic ground manners, desensitising a bit and yielding while I accumulate funds and then the boy is off to get his issues sorted!
 
#2 ·
Good luck with the trainer! Make sure they know about his past and make sure that they fit well. Maybe let Trojan come with you to check things out. That's why I do with my colts if my current trainer isn't an option.
 
#3 ·
I'll have to look in to that, but it may not be an option. The ranch is a couple of hours away and we don't own our own trailer. We would be hiring one to take him up there for his training and then visiting once a week or so to see how he was doing.

I did describe some of his issues and what I suspected of his past when I got in touch with them and they were happy to work with him still. The fact that they have openly invited me to come watch them work gives me faith too.

Either way he will not be getting left with anyone until I am 100% sure I can trust them with him.
 
#4 ·
The issues you describe are pretty common and are not usually a deterent to training.

Be sure that you and the trainer agree on the milestones and timing of them so that there is a method of judging the progress. Usually the trainer will want to work with the horse for a week or so before setting these parameters.

The biggest thing that hampers the training process is an unfit horse. Getting them fit for the work takes additional time.

Good luck and be proud that you accept your limitations.
 
#5 ·
Thanks.

He will be going for an absolute minimum of 6 weeks when we have the money and then we will assess from there and see if he needs more time. The most important thing for me is that he isn't rushed through anything. I don't want him coming out the other end accepting a rider, but having a fried brain!
 
#6 ·
Great! Try to get out there as much as possible so you can watch and see what he/she is doing. That way you can come home and use the same concepts. Having a green horse is hard (let alone 3?) so it's okay to ask for help.

Normally the trainers will offer to come and pick up the horse for free.
 
#8 ·
It sounds like you are doing the right thing. I think the best horse people are the owners who admit when they need help.



Normally the trainers will offer to come and pick up the horse for free.
:shock:

None that I know have or will.

I have never heard of such a thing, actually.

Maybe a new trainer that is trying to get business, but not a good trainer who has a busy training schedule.
 
#7 ·
Hmmm I'll have to ask what they're policy is as far as transport, although being the type of person I am I think I would prefer to take him up myself just so I knew he got there safely. I will definitely be heading out there as often as possible to check out how he is doing. From what I've heard they train much the same way as I do, they just have more experience at so are better equipped to handle a horse like Trojan.

It is certainly a lot of work with the greenies, but is very rewarding to see the results as they happen.
 
#11 ·
Probably a fee thats more than the expense of hiring the float and taking him up myself! Haha.

I am quite excited to see him progress. Now I've just gotta save up the money!
 
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