ok so im going to start breaking a year and 3 month old gelding...i was just wondering what everyones thoughs were on wether i should start with the saddle or bridle first.
I personally think i should start with a bridle but i am not exactly sure. so i would like to know what your opinions are and WHY!!!
Then put the roller on him and rub saddle cloths and all sorts over him. Put the saddle on ONCE do not lunge him in the saddle.. Take it off after you've walked him around with it and then hen you go to get on because you've been working him with a roller and driven him.. put the saddle on WHEN you go to get on for the first time (with a saddle) because you might want to get on bareback.
haha..no. im sry i think i wrote it and made ppl misunderstand.. hes not being ridden for another year, hes too fragile still..i can break one of those baby bones. and do you think a d-ring twisted snaffle is alright for the first bit?? i was planning on that first.mainly because i have no other bit except a curb w/shanks.
yeah was leaning towards the bridle but i wanted to double check.afterall i think i would raher have control over him before i throw a saddle on his baack.i mean not that i would control him with a bit but it would certainly help! ....i mean i have sat on him..*looks away* but he was laying down so i just decided to take a seat.lol..its not like i put my leg over him..that would be INSANE! i just put some weight on his back.and he was still like sleeping.lol.hes very calm and could care less what you do to him! and thets when he was a colt...he was gelded 2 weeks ago
hehe that's coool.. Good he was a good boy!
When my filly was 18 months i used to sleep on her *sus face* she was sleeping too.. Was heaps cute! pitty i sold her
awww!..yeah with mr levi i used to lay down in his hay bed at night...it was SOO cute so i read him my book as his bedtime story...gotta love the phantom stallion series!
its so funny because he *dreams* like literally he will start kicking and when he sleeps he opens his mouth and his lips droop so his teeth show.its so cute! and hes like this big percheron.my big baby.<3
i MEANT to say that im not starting to break him..i realized this while talking on the chat thing...i wouldn't use a sadde for like 3 more months.let alone get on him for another 2 yrs.
but i wanted this for future refrence..im doing my *research* now.
If it has to be one, go with the bridle. As long as you're gentle it won't hurt him in the long run.
Don't even get me started about getting a 15 month old colt (let alone a Draft-type) saddle broke, it won't be pretty.
Best of luck.
ooh feisty..lol.jk JDI...read what i wrote above..like i said on chat, this is for future refrence.not now ....15 month old saddle broke is rediculous!u r crazy
I always taught bridle first. Only because I like to ground drive before starting a horse. I like to teach a horse to give to the bit, to accept the bit, and to make sure signals are clear before getting on.
I guess I like to make sure that my steering wheel, and breaks work before I start the car! lol
My boy's been started & ridden for years now. He's 8yo this year & there's not much I can't do with him, but he's still never worn a bridle, if by that you mean a headpiece with a bit.
I personally don't see any *good* reason for a bit for most riding, and don't think they should be used until the horse's at a level that you can use it purely for refined communication and not for control. Too many problems are created using bits with horses &/or humans that aren't well trained for their use.
So saying, if it's just for the sake of desensitisation, not trying to direct him with it, I'd be doing all sorts, including saddle & bridle. I would still teach him to yield to pressure well first, so if he gets in a fix he is less likely to fight against it & hurt himself.
3mo?? Sorry, in your other thread about hoof handling I had assumed he was a lot older than that. :roll:
i think you should start with a bridle. as when i help all my friends break in their horses we always started with the bridle so they can get used to going foward with it in and also so they get used to turning. then i use the saddle, i use the saddle on them when i can ride them bareback with a bridle. with the saddle i sit it on their back and then slowly fasten it and then i walk them around.
I made mine used to sidepull (no bit) and me getting on them bareback. Than I put bareback pad on several times (to get them used to the cinch). Than I put saddle on. In fact I used bridle with bit about 6 months or so after I started with saddle (used sidepull to ride).
I start mine with a bridle first, and get them used to the feel of it in their mouth. I will lunge them lightly with it in their mouth (walk and trot only) with a halter over top, then I'll lunge them with just the bridle.
Once they're okay with moving forward with a bridle I'll introduce the surcingle and get them used to that around their bellies... then I'll start ground-driving.
This method puts off putting the saddle on for another few weeks, which is okay by me!
At that point, I'll introduce the saddle and lunge them with the saddle on, then I'll long-line and ground-drive with the saddle on.
Hope this helps!! I want to sincerely wish you best of luck with this horse
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