The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse
Today I would like to talk with you about the equipment you will need and a little about these tools.
Have you ever found your self in a situation where your not able to get your horse to do what it is you're asking of him or able to correct a problem your having with your horse? If you have then you may have found your self in the unfortunate situation of having to use severe aids (torture devices). Maybe a bigger more severe bit to get him to do what you want or correct a problem your having. Believe me when I say, this is not the answer.
In the last article we talked about using creativeness and imagination, a great tool, use it to help solve problems you are having with your horse instead of using equipment that is severe and punishes your horse. Always use equipment that helps you communicate with your horse rather than punishes (tortures) him.
How would you like to be able to communicate with yourhorse, nothing attached to him, independent of halters, ropes, lead ropes, bits, spurs, sticks or other aids. Is it possible? The answer is YES. To accomplish this You will need to understand the categories of tools and how to use them.
Tools are aids and there are two kinds: natural and artificial. Artificial aids are such things as; lead ropes, halters, ropes, hackamores, bits, spurs and others. Natural aids are simple, they are you, arms, legs, hands, seat and voice.
What are the different categories of tools? They are not in any particular order.
a. Spurs? They are extensions of your legs.
b. Sticks? These are extensions of your arms.
c. Halters, ropes, hackamores, and mecates? These are used for basic communication.
d. Bits? used for riding refinement.
The bit and spur are used while on your horses back and are used to teach, reinforce, control and refine the 6 yields (forward, backward, left, right, up and down). The spur is used as an extension of your leg. The stick, lead rope and halter are also used to teach, reinforce, control and refine the six yields and can be used on the ground or from the horses back. The stick is used as an extension of your arms.
Using these categories you can play with your horse to develop and build a great foundation between you and your horse.
Tools I use and suggest you use are:
a. rope hackamore? Why? They are the most gentle followed by leather and rawhide and no metal parts.
b. 6' horseman's string? Use to teach the horse to yield to pressure, can also be use as a Rein - attach it to the hackamore.
c. 5" horseman's stick? Has a leather keeper at the end. Used for teaching the horse to yield to pressure and can be used for flagging, touching tapping. You can also attach the 6" horseman's string and use it as an extension of your arms (do not use as a whip).
d. mecate reins? Mecate reins are usually 22 feet long with 10 feet of continuous loop rein. The remaining 12 feet is used as a lead rope. The Mecate rein can be use with a hackamore or snaffle bit. You can loop the Mecate rein through your belt loop or around your saddle horn.
e. snaffle bit? Used for teaching, controlling, reinforcing, and refining lateral flexion. The snaffle I prefer has 3 inch rings a 5 inch wide mouthpiece made of sweet iron and a few copper inlays. This creates just enough taste and saliva and prevents dry mouth which can become an irritant and distract the horse. The bit then looses it's effectiveness as a communication tool.
f. bareback pad? This optional. They have a handle on the pad to help you balance your self when learning to ride bareback. If you opt for a bareback pad make sure you find one that is made of leather with felt pad liners, and have latigos and regular mohair cinches.
g. saddle? Used for riding your horse. Having owned a saddle shop with my brother who is one of the best saddle maker in the country I can tell you the most important thing in choosing a saddle whether it be western, English etc. is the tree. Make sure the bars fit your horses back and the seat is comfortable and fits you. For more information visit with your local saddle maker to find out how to fit your horse and you.
h. saddle pad? Used under the saddle on the horses back. Choose a saddle pad that is made of natural materials (something like wool) make sure it offers enough protection for your horses back. Not to thin. If you are doing a lot of hard riding in a western saddle you will want to use a good saddle pad and a folded Navajo blanket. Light riding usually requires only one good pad.
i. spurs? Extensions of your legs. DO NOT jab your horse with your spurs or use as a torture device. Spurs are meant to be used to teach, control, reinforce and refine lateral movement and up and down movement. GENTLY apply pressure to get the response you are looking for. I prefer a medium shank spur with a rowel that rolls freely. Make sure the rowel is large and wide with a lot of blunt points
I hope this gives you some insight on types of tools and how to use them.
Have fun with your horse(s)
Mike
This article brings to a conclusion the 6 Keys for developing a life long partnership with your horse. I hope found it helpful?
I will continue posting great horse information on my website perfect horse gifts and in The Roundup Newsletter. Be sure to check it out. Subscribe Now! perfect horse gifts
This article is brought to you by perfect horse gifts If you like this article and would like to learn more or would like to send it to a friend, please feel free to do so.
Copyright ? 2005 Mike Gorzalka All Rights Reserved Worldwide
*You have permission to publish this article*
electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the content of this article is not changed in any way and the author bylines are included.
If you choose to publish this article, I would appreciate a Quick e-mail letting me know where it will be published. perfect horse gifts
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in this article is of my personal opinions and beliefs and should not be taken as anything more.
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareHow many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
Making sure that accidents don't happen in the first place... Read More
Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More
Of course, we humans use shoes to protect our feet.... Read More
The wearing of charms dates back to 400 or 500... Read More
Dog food is very important for the health of dogs.... Read More
Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this... Read More
Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
Hi,I'm Janet CombsMy mother bred and raised Bichon Frises for... Read More
Are you irritated by your dog's drooping ears or your... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets month ? but if... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the... Read More
The other day I was doing a research online for... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
My name is Shadrach, and I am a dog -... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
On the surface playing Frisbee with your dog may seem... Read More
Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More
Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More
Did you know that more than one million north americans... Read More
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More
... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
Selecting a Kitten It is best to choose your... Read More
a) GrowlingIf your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this... Read More
Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More
Although many horsemen and trainers extol the virtues of the... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
Pet |