THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG HORSE. By Lynne Varley.
1.
Beginning the training of the young horse can start as young as 2 yrs old with colts and especially well grown youngsters. But should not involve too much work and personally I wouldn’t expect to back the young horse at that stage, rather just introduce the youngster to handling, grooming and leading out in hand with loose schooling a few times a week depending on the facilities available.
If the horse has been owned since birth some of these should have already been dealt with such as handling grooming and leading out.
I like to begin my horses at two as it prepares them for adult life and gives me time to assess each horse as it develops and decide on its training regime. Also when you are buying young horses they are usually cheaper at that age as it can be difficult to see exactly what you are buying when they have not fully developed!
Correct handling is essential, the young horse can be quite a challenge and should be treated as an adult and be expected to behave correctly from the beginning. It should allow itself to be tied up [with a quick release knot] under constant supervision and taught to stand quietly, while it is groomed and handled. I like to do this every day at about the same time then the horse becomes used to a routine.
Loose schooling if a small secure area is available, is a way of training the horse without the strain of the constant turning of lunging. Two or more handlers stand along the centre line of the arena with long whips and the young horse is lead round the edge, it is surprising how quickly they learn to be kept moving by each of the handlers and will proceed round the arena quite calmly in walk trot and canter.
Depending on the individual development of the young horse care should be taken not to over work the horse or in anyway strain it, as some horses grow differently and can be out of balance during some growing phases.
This is also the case when under saddle in the later stages of training, as the horse grows it may become croup high at different stages and this places an increased demand upon the horse's balance under the rider. If this is not taken into account by the rider/trainer it can cause resistance and difficulties in training.
Once the horse matures sufficiently it can begin its training in earnest, this can be as early as 3 or later depending as I said on its development. If the horse has had the advantage of the work I have described above it will be fitter and stronger and more prepared for lunging and the introduction to the weight of the rider.
Some trainers progress straight to riding from loose schooling and the rider sits on the horse while it is loose schooled by the handlers on the ground. The rider has no influence on the horse and should sit quietly and allow the horse to move around the arena while the rider strives to keep in balance with the movement of the horse.
The advantage to this method is that the horse is allowed to move freely in a system it is used to and is not constrained to remain in a circle. The major disadvantages are that this process needs an indoor school ideally for safety and a very competent and fearless rider who is able to accommodate the horse without falling off should it decide to become athletic.
I prefer to begin lunging the horse and introduce the tack over a period of time as the horse settles into a good rhythm and will work calmly and willing.
When working the young horse I like to use the tack I will ride with and place the cavesson over the bridle. Lunging from the bit is a common practice but I would rather use a cavesson whenever possible. However safety and expediency is important and if a fenced area is not available for your use it is better to work from the bit then risk losing the horse should it try to escape from the lunge. Once the horse has learnt to pull away from the trainer on the lunge and run off it is a difficult job to retrain it.
Work on the lunge should begin with two handlers one in the centre holding the lunge and the long whip the other walking with the horse on the circle. Until the horse will walk willing on both reins without stopping the second handler should remain along side the horse either leading it or just keeping pace with it.
Once the horse understands to keep moving the second handler can move further away until they have reached the centre of the circle. Then the horse can learn to trot and the handler in the centre gives the voice commands to walk trot and stand. The horse should be at this stage kept on a large circle and encouraged to work in a relaxed rhythm, particular attention being paid to the purity of the paces. For example a clear 4 time beat in the walk and a steady relaxed trot, never rushing or changing the tempo.
It is at this stage where the horse is prepared for the rider and any problems with the conformation of the horse or its paces be considered and a training system devised.
Depending whether or not the horse needs some remedial work to prepare it for riding will dictate how long the horse needs to work on the lunge before introducing the rider.
If the horse has a weak back or tends to proceed with its head high and hollow backed it will need time to learn to move in a way more suited to being ridden.
A lot of people are prejudiced against training aids, such as side reins, bungy reins and running or draw reins. In many cases with good reason, as training aids have been abused and in consequence are avoided by some. But as with most things if you understand their uses and the reason for their use they can be a valuable tool.
When we work the horse it should work in a way that builds its body correctly improving its physical stature and increasing its understanding by making the work easier. Not being designed to be ridden the horse can find the work at best uncomfortable and at worst painful. It is our job to ensure that each session with us is made as easy and comfortable as possible. We can only do that if the horse moves in a bio-mechanically correct way.
Therefore the horse must move with a lowered head and arched back and neck. The longer the horse moves incorrectly the more stressed and uncomfortable it becomes.
Consequently if our horse is moving hollow backed and is resistant to putting its head down for any length of time we may have to consider what training aids will help it to understand.
The decision should not be taken lightly and care should be taken to use the appropriate aid for the problem diagnosed and this is where experience and correct practice is essential.
In the next article we will look at the training aids and their uses.
2.
Following on from the first phase of training the young horse we have got to the stage where we can consider how to further prepare the young horse for the rider.
Unless we are very lucky and the horse is one of the few [and very expensive] examples of perfect conformation there will be work to do to make the transition to riding horse as easy and stress free as possible.
I think a word about some of the more modern concepts of training would not be out of place here.
There is nothing ‘natural’ about the training of any horse in whatever manner. A horse if kept in the natural state would live as a zebra or antelope following the grass and wandering over vast distances.
It is a harsh life, short and violent. Few if any illnesses or injuries are survivable as the horse relies on its speed and agility.
All the problems the horse has in the present day are directly related to its domestication. That doesn’t mean to say that the horse has to suffer in its relationship with man.
But unfortunately due to our ignorance and uncertain temperament they frequently do, as do most creatures involved with man.
Over the centuries that horse and man have associated there has been a gradual development of understanding of the needs of the horse. In the beginning I suspect not through any sentiment but necessity as in the case of the war horses.
As with a lot of things in the human world war creates invention and it was realised pretty quickly the value of a well trained charger and various training methods were employed. Man being man tended towards violent methods but it was rapidly discovered that these only created an equally violent partner that could be unreliable when the ‘chips were down’.
So even as early as the ancient Grecians softer more humane methods were advocated.
The ‘classical’ methods of educating the horse that are used today have been in existence for centuries and are a proven way to train the horse sympathetically and correctly. They may not have had the benefits of modern medicines, medical inventions and nutritional advice but those old masters knew 'a thing or two’ about horses!
The fact that we see bad examples of training are to do with the ignorance of the trainers in question not to the training system itself.
I would always advocate following the proven teachings of the ‘Classical School’ and be very wary of poor imitations.
That leads us to the use of artificial aids.
There are a lot, as people seek to find an easy and quicker way to train the horse.
Often they don’t work, because the principles on which they are based are not proven.
The training I have had doesn’t encourage indiscriminate use of these aids so I am going to talk about the two I have been taught to use in certain circumstances.
The rest I have found unnecessary in all cases.
THE SIDE REIN.
Introduced to the horse on its longest setting this prepares the young horse for the contact on its mouth and encourages the ‘bascule‘ shape experience has taught is the most comfortable way for the horse to carry weight.
It must be constantly monitored throughout its use and often the length and height is altered during the training session.
With or without an elastic insert they are attached to the roller or saddle and give a consistent contact that never varies.
It is a noticeable fact that the horse never fights a correctly fitted side rein. Only the rider's hand incorrectly applied…which gives the rider the clue of what to do with his hands…as little as possible.
THE RUNNING OR DRAW REIN.
This has received a lot of bad press, partly due to its ridden use with the show jumping riders in public view. BD had the foresight to ban them at competitions, but that doesn’t mean to say they are not used incorrectly in private.
However correctly used, they help some horses understand the contact more easily than the more direct application of the side rein.
Some warmblood types in particular have fragile swan-like necks and benefit more from the effect of the running rein than the side rein. They can lift their necks up and down the rein at will but the slight weight of the rein itself and the gentle downward pressure of the bit contact encourage the bascule of the back that these types find hard to achieve alone.
They can be fitted from the girth through the front legs to the bit and then to the saddle D rings or from the girth to the bit and back to the D rings depending on the conformation of the horse and desired height of the head and neck.
To develop the horse's back and neck position correctly takes time and patience and the Spanish Riding School philosophy of throwing away your clock when training the young horse is a good one.
Even when the horse is coping well with the rider the value of using the lunging techniques should not be ignored as often it is easier to teach the horse some of the ridden work on the lunge without the weight of the rider.
I taught my horse Hector the medium and extended trot on the lunge as he tended to hollow and lean on the hand when introduced to it ridden. A young mare I bought couldn’t canter at all she would only do an extended trot which is unusual… I taught her to canter on the lunge first.
Interestingly I noticed that other horses with her breeding also had the same problems with canter.
The next phase of the young horses education is the hardest and longest as it takes time, skill and patience to develop the horses understanding and physical strength and there will be plenty of challenges to the rider along the way.
More than most other sports, riding is essentially a coached sport due to the complex association between rider and horse. It is very easy to be deceived into believing that you are correct in your feel, position and aiding system, but this can only be confirmed by an experienced trained eye on the ground. The difference between correct training and incorrect is often only a fine line, but its effect can be disastrous.
1.
Beginning the training of the young horse can start as young as 2 yrs old with colts and especially well grown youngsters. But should not involve too much work and personally I wouldn’t expect to back the young horse at that stage, rather just introduce the youngster to handling, grooming and leading out in hand with loose schooling a few times a week depending on the facilities available.
If the horse has been owned since birth some of these should have already been dealt with such as handling grooming and leading out.
I like to begin my horses at two as it prepares them for adult life and gives me time to assess each horse as it develops and decide on its training regime. Also when you are buying young horses they are usually cheaper at that age as it can be difficult to see exactly what you are buying when they have not fully developed!
Correct handling is essential, the young horse can be quite a challenge and should be treated as an adult and be expected to behave correctly from the beginning. It should allow itself to be tied up [with a quick release knot] under constant supervision and taught to stand quietly, while it is groomed and handled. I like to do this every day at about the same time then the horse becomes used to a routine.
Loose schooling if a small secure area is available, is a way of training the horse without the strain of the constant turning of lunging. Two or more handlers stand along the centre line of the arena with long whips and the young horse is lead round the edge, it is surprising how quickly they learn to be kept moving by each of the handlers and will proceed round the arena quite calmly in walk trot and canter.
Depending on the individual development of the young horse care should be taken not to over work the horse or in anyway strain it, as some horses grow differently and can be out of balance during some growing phases.
This is also the case when under saddle in the later stages of training, as the horse grows it may become croup high at different stages and this places an increased demand upon the horse's balance under the rider. If this is not taken into account by the rider/trainer it can cause resistance and difficulties in training.
Once the horse matures sufficiently it can begin its training in earnest, this can be as early as 3 or later depending as I said on its development. If the horse has had the advantage of the work I have described above it will be fitter and stronger and more prepared for lunging and the introduction to the weight of the rider.
Some trainers progress straight to riding from loose schooling and the rider sits on the horse while it is loose schooled by the handlers on the ground. The rider has no influence on the horse and should sit quietly and allow the horse to move around the arena while the rider strives to keep in balance with the movement of the horse.
The advantage to this method is that the horse is allowed to move freely in a system it is used to and is not constrained to remain in a circle. The major disadvantages are that this process needs an indoor school ideally for safety and a very competent and fearless rider who is able to accommodate the horse without falling off should it decide to become athletic.
I prefer to begin lunging the horse and introduce the tack over a period of time as the horse settles into a good rhythm and will work calmly and willing.
When working the young horse I like to use the tack I will ride with and place the cavesson over the bridle. Lunging from the bit is a common practice but I would rather use a cavesson whenever possible. However safety and expediency is important and if a fenced area is not available for your use it is better to work from the bit then risk losing the horse should it try to escape from the lunge. Once the horse has learnt to pull away from the trainer on the lunge and run off it is a difficult job to retrain it.
Work on the lunge should begin with two handlers one in the centre holding the lunge and the long whip the other walking with the horse on the circle. Until the horse will walk willing on both reins without stopping the second handler should remain along side the horse either leading it or just keeping pace with it.
Once the horse understands to keep moving the second handler can move further away until they have reached the centre of the circle. Then the horse can learn to trot and the handler in the centre gives the voice commands to walk trot and stand. The horse should be at this stage kept on a large circle and encouraged to work in a relaxed rhythm, particular attention being paid to the purity of the paces. For example a clear 4 time beat in the walk and a steady relaxed trot, never rushing or changing the tempo.
It is at this stage where the horse is prepared for the rider and any problems with the conformation of the horse or its paces be considered and a training system devised.
Depending whether or not the horse needs some remedial work to prepare it for riding will dictate how long the horse needs to work on the lunge before introducing the rider.
If the horse has a weak back or tends to proceed with its head high and hollow backed it will need time to learn to move in a way more suited to being ridden.
A lot of people are prejudiced against training aids, such as side reins, bungy reins and running or draw reins. In many cases with good reason, as training aids have been abused and in consequence are avoided by some. But as with most things if you understand their uses and the reason for their use they can be a valuable tool.
When we work the horse it should work in a way that builds its body correctly improving its physical stature and increasing its understanding by making the work easier. Not being designed to be ridden the horse can find the work at best uncomfortable and at worst painful. It is our job to ensure that each session with us is made as easy and comfortable as possible. We can only do that if the horse moves in a bio-mechanically correct way.
Therefore the horse must move with a lowered head and arched back and neck. The longer the horse moves incorrectly the more stressed and uncomfortable it becomes.
Consequently if our horse is moving hollow backed and is resistant to putting its head down for any length of time we may have to consider what training aids will help it to understand.
The decision should not be taken lightly and care should be taken to use the appropriate aid for the problem diagnosed and this is where experience and correct practice is essential.
In the next article we will look at the training aids and their uses.
2.
Following on from the first phase of training the young horse we have got to the stage where we can consider how to further prepare the young horse for the rider.
Unless we are very lucky and the horse is one of the few [and very expensive] examples of perfect conformation there will be work to do to make the transition to riding horse as easy and stress free as possible.
I think a word about some of the more modern concepts of training would not be out of place here.
There is nothing ‘natural’ about the training of any horse in whatever manner. A horse if kept in the natural state would live as a zebra or antelope following the grass and wandering over vast distances.
It is a harsh life, short and violent. Few if any illnesses or injuries are survivable as the horse relies on its speed and agility.
All the problems the horse has in the present day are directly related to its domestication. That doesn’t mean to say that the horse has to suffer in its relationship with man.
But unfortunately due to our ignorance and uncertain temperament they frequently do, as do most creatures involved with man.
Over the centuries that horse and man have associated there has been a gradual development of understanding of the needs of the horse. In the beginning I suspect not through any sentiment but necessity as in the case of the war horses.
As with a lot of things in the human world war creates invention and it was realised pretty quickly the value of a well trained charger and various training methods were employed. Man being man tended towards violent methods but it was rapidly discovered that these only created an equally violent partner that could be unreliable when the ‘chips were down’.
So even as early as the ancient Grecians softer more humane methods were advocated.
The ‘classical’ methods of educating the horse that are used today have been in existence for centuries and are a proven way to train the horse sympathetically and correctly. They may not have had the benefits of modern medicines, medical inventions and nutritional advice but those old masters knew 'a thing or two’ about horses!
The fact that we see bad examples of training are to do with the ignorance of the trainers in question not to the training system itself.
I would always advocate following the proven teachings of the ‘Classical School’ and be very wary of poor imitations.
That leads us to the use of artificial aids.
There are a lot, as people seek to find an easy and quicker way to train the horse.
Often they don’t work, because the principles on which they are based are not proven.
The training I have had doesn’t encourage indiscriminate use of these aids so I am going to talk about the two I have been taught to use in certain circumstances.
The rest I have found unnecessary in all cases.
THE SIDE REIN.
Introduced to the horse on its longest setting this prepares the young horse for the contact on its mouth and encourages the ‘bascule‘ shape experience has taught is the most comfortable way for the horse to carry weight.
It must be constantly monitored throughout its use and often the length and height is altered during the training session.
With or without an elastic insert they are attached to the roller or saddle and give a consistent contact that never varies.
It is a noticeable fact that the horse never fights a correctly fitted side rein. Only the rider's hand incorrectly applied…which gives the rider the clue of what to do with his hands…as little as possible.
THE RUNNING OR DRAW REIN.
This has received a lot of bad press, partly due to its ridden use with the show jumping riders in public view. BD had the foresight to ban them at competitions, but that doesn’t mean to say they are not used incorrectly in private.
However correctly used, they help some horses understand the contact more easily than the more direct application of the side rein.
Some warmblood types in particular have fragile swan-like necks and benefit more from the effect of the running rein than the side rein. They can lift their necks up and down the rein at will but the slight weight of the rein itself and the gentle downward pressure of the bit contact encourage the bascule of the back that these types find hard to achieve alone.
They can be fitted from the girth through the front legs to the bit and then to the saddle D rings or from the girth to the bit and back to the D rings depending on the conformation of the horse and desired height of the head and neck.
To develop the horse's back and neck position correctly takes time and patience and the Spanish Riding School philosophy of throwing away your clock when training the young horse is a good one.
Even when the horse is coping well with the rider the value of using the lunging techniques should not be ignored as often it is easier to teach the horse some of the ridden work on the lunge without the weight of the rider.
I taught my horse Hector the medium and extended trot on the lunge as he tended to hollow and lean on the hand when introduced to it ridden. A young mare I bought couldn’t canter at all she would only do an extended trot which is unusual… I taught her to canter on the lunge first.
Interestingly I noticed that other horses with her breeding also had the same problems with canter.
The next phase of the young horses education is the hardest and longest as it takes time, skill and patience to develop the horses understanding and physical strength and there will be plenty of challenges to the rider along the way.
More than most other sports, riding is essentially a coached sport due to the complex association between rider and horse. It is very easy to be deceived into believing that you are correct in your feel, position and aiding system, but this can only be confirmed by an experienced trained eye on the ground. The difference between correct training and incorrect is often only a fine line, but its effect can be disastrous.