Embarking on the journey of professional training for your horse is a monumental milestone that requires thoughtful preparation and commitment. The decision to send your horse for professional training is both exhilarating and crucial, much like a child’s first day at school. In the same way that a child with a basic understanding of ABC’s and 123’s is better prepared for the educational journey ahead, a horse equipped with a strong set of foundational skills will streamline the trainer’s efforts, ultimately saving you valuable time and resources.
While it’s an exciting time, it’s crucial for horse owners to be acutely aware of their own capabilities and comfort levels in performing the preparatory steps. The reason is simple: proper preparation can significantly enhance the training experience, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck. However, incorrect or inadequate preparation can have the opposite effect, requiring the trainer to spend additional time undoing mistakes, which ultimately costs you more in both time and money.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the essential skills your horse should master before being sent off for professional training. These skills serve as the building blocks for advanced training and can make the difference between a smooth, efficient training process and a lengthy, more costly one. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can best prepare your horse—and yourself—for this important phase in your horse’s life.
1. Easy to Catch and Halter
Your horse should be easy to handle, particularly when wearing a halter. A horse that’s difficult to catch or halter can waste valuable training time. The trainer should be able to easily get their hands on your horse, so they can focus on more advanced training techniques. The blog, 60-Day Transformation: Scared to Ground-Broke, talks about how to get a horse halter broke, and leading.
My preference is a rope halter like this without knots on the nose, and a long lead.
2. Comfortable With Handling and Grooming
Your horse should be comfortable with human touch and handling all over its body. This includes picking up its feet, accepting the farrier, and allowing you to clean its hooves without resistance. A well-groomed and cooperative horse makes the trainer’s job much easier. This will not only improve your horse’s appearance but also its overall disposition during training.
3. Possess Leading Skills
Leading might seem like a basic skill, but it’s the foundation of your horse’s communication with you and the trainer. A horse that walks confidently and obediently at your side demonstrates respect and trust. If your horse tends to pull, lag behind, or become anxious while leading, these issues must be addressed by the trainer before more advanced training begins. The video, Giving to Pressure, goes in-depth on teaching a horse to give to pressure and leading.
4. Stand Tied for Grooming and Bathing
The ability to stand tied for grooming and bathing is a fundamental skill that every horse should possess. When your horse can stand quietly while tied, it simplifies grooming, saddling, and various training procedures. This skill is not only practical but also essential for the safety of your horse and those around it. The video, Horse learning about the water hose, shows how to get a horse comfortable with the water hose.
Pro Tip: If your horse exhibits behaviors like pulling back, pawing, or becoming agitated when tied, it’s crucial to address these issues before sending them to a trainer. A horse that stands tied calmly is not only safer but also more receptive to training. Introduce your horse to different types of ties and locations to make them more adaptable and comfortable in various situations.
5. Pick Up His Feet: More Than Just Grooming
Being comfortable with having his feet picked up and handled is not just a grooming essential; it’s a cornerstone for overall health checks and farrier visits. A horse that is at ease with this will be easier to manage, train, and care for in the long run. If you have a horse that is not good with his feet, the video First Haltering and Picking Up Feet will be a big help to you. In this video, I am working with a yearling that has never had his feet picked up.
When it comes to farrier visits, timing is crucial. While it’s important for your horse’s feet to be in good condition, it’s equally vital to avoid trimming the hooves too close to the start date of training. Trimming within two weeks of sending your horse off could result in soreness, hindering the training process. Aim for that ideal window where the hooves are well-maintained but not freshly trimmed, to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition into professional training.
6. Accepting the Saddle Pad
The sensation of having something on their back can be unsettling for many horses. To prepare your horse for the saddle, use objects like saddle pads or even bags to simulate the feeling. Begin with small, lightweight items and gradually increase the size and intensity. This desensitization process helps your horse become comfortable with the concept of having something on their back.
By acclimating your horse to these sensations beforehand, you reduce the likelihood of resistance or fear when it’s time to introduce the saddle, making the training experience more positive for both horse and trainer. Use a feed bag or a similar item to simulate the sound and feel of a saddle pad before actually using one. This will help acclimate your horse to the new experience.
7. Preparing for the Bridle
Bridling is a crucial part of training, and your horse should be receptive to wearing a bridle. Work on teaching your horse to lower its head when you apply slight pressure on the poll. This simple action facilitates the bridling process. Additionally, practice having your horse open its mouth to accept the bit without resistance.
A horse that accepts the bridle willingly is a step ahead in the training process. It ensures a smoother transition to more advanced riding skills when the time comes.
8. Follow His Nose
The ability to follow their nose or the pressure on the halter when led is essential for steering and overall control when under saddle. A horse that understands this concept is easier to guide and manage during training sessions. Teaching your horse to respond to gentle pressure on the halter and follow cues when led prepares them for the more advanced riding lessons ahead. The blog post, Leading the Horse: Establishing Respect and Authority will help you if you are having trouble with your horse not following pressure on the halter.
9. Steer and Back Up: Paving the Way for Advanced Maneuvers
If your horse is already riding then steering and backing up are foundational skills that will help your horse’s progress at the trainer. If your horse already understands these basics, the trainer can focus on refining these skills and introducing more advanced maneuvers like lateral movements or turns on the haunches.
10. Mental Readiness
While physical preparation is vital, don’t underestimate the importance of your horse’s mental state. A mentally prepared horse is calm, attentive, and willing to learn. During the preparatory exercises, observe your horse’s reactions. A horse that remains relaxed and responsive to your cues is mentally ready for training.
On the other hand, if your horse exhibits excessive fear or resistance during these exercises, it may not be the right time for training. Rushing into training when your horse is mentally unprepared can lead to frustration and setbacks. The video, Trained horse. Mentally fit or blown, it’s a fine line, discusses keeping a horse’s mind in a good place throughout the training process and later when maintaining a finished horse.
Conclusion
Sending your horse off for training is an investment in their future, and proper preparation is the key to a successful training experience. Just as a well-prepared student excels in school, a well-prepared horse makes the trainer’s job more efficient and ensures a smoother training journey. In this guide, we’ve outlined 10 essential skills your horse should have under its belt before starting professional training. These skills are foundational; they set the stage for more advanced training and ensure that your horse will be safer and more receptive to learning new things. It’s important to remember that every horse is unique, with its own pace of learning. Patience and consistency are key. If you find yourself uncertain about any aspect of this preparation, don’t hesitate to consult an experienced trainer for advice. By taking the time to properly prepare your horse, you’re not just making the training process more efficient; you’re also investing in your horse’s long-term well-being and the quality of your relationship with them. All of the valuable information I have learned through 25+ years of horse training and showing, I share with you to help you to improve your equestrian knowledge. For more in-depth tutorials, check out Tim Anderson’s Horse Training videos and blogs.