Well, the weathers getting nice, the vet has been out for vaccinations and heath checks, the paddocks have been cleaned, and the fences checked. Time to put winter behind us and get out for a ride! If you're like most folks, your horse has been up on blocks all winter and got fat, lazy and out of shape ... yes the horse, but possibly the rider too! Probably not such a hot idea to saddle up and head out on the trail just yet. When was the last time your horse had some "basic" training? You know, go to the round pen and do a little of horse training 101. It may surprise you how frisky you ride is! Here a picture of Schwebbie, my really well broke competitive trail horse who is also used as a demo horse and is also broke to drive when I took him to the round pen and asked him to lope! Not exactly the nice quiet horse I put out to pasture last fall! It didn't take long for him to settle, but I was sure glad I didn't just saddle him up and get on! Next step was to "sack him out". This was to make sure he was really thinking and ready to pay attention. Will your horse tolerate this? Don't just go try it without some training of your own and proper supervision! Now that Schwebbie is sacked out, he got saddled up and loped around a little on a long line. The results? Well you be the judge ....... THE END! |