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.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carYou do clean your house don't you? Well you have... Read More
You Must Be The Alpha DogFirst, let's take a look... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More
Occasionally watching Animal Planet does have its advantage. You can... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average... Read More
My son and I have a cat. Her name is... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge... Read More
Congratulations on your choice to bring home a West Highland... Read More
Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and... Read More
As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More
Buying dog doors onlineIf you need to buy a dog... Read More
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
Ever since the beginning of time there has always been... Read More
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..If you are looking for tips on breeding tropical fish,... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More
Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More
If you have never seen a Shar Pei before, the... Read More
These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
The treatment for heartworms is different for cats and dogs.... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
Domesticated cats have been gaining in popularity in the United... Read More
Well first of all I was always a cat owner,... Read More
Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
Which parrot is right for me? This is a question... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love... Read More
Believe it or not boutiques for dogs are everywhere. Nowadays,... Read More
Pet |