How do you train a 3 year old horse to be ridden for english/western pleasure?

Question

Hi,
You might be wondering why I don't hire a trianer, well I don't have extra money just laying aroung in the tack room. I usualy have my friend train my horses, but she moved leaving me with an untrained, 3 year old mare. Any tips? (Also how do you get the horse to canter? I know how, but how do you teach the horse?)

Answer 1

Time and patience are the two best things for your 3 year old. I would start off doing some round pen (square pen or lunge line works too) work with her to get her respecting you on the ground. The important thing about round pens or lunging is to use them as a training tool, not as means to get the horses kicks out. Make sure all work done in the round pen is serious work, not play time. Sweat = knowledge. If she doesn't have good ground manners her under saddle work won't be much better.

Call a trainer in your area just to ask for some advice, maybe pay for one or two sessions with that trainer to get hands on advice. I know several pleasure riders who have had success with the Linda Tellington Jones programs.

The best way to teach a horse to canter is to just canter them. Make sure she knows how to turn with leg and rein commands, also that she knows "whoa" and "go" and has fluidity in her trot. Don't force her to canter when she is falling on her forehand or unbalanced. Keeping her balanced and happy is the key to success otherwise she will keep the "bad" or "uncomfortable" memory in her head. The same goes for when you start training her to do flying lead changes. If she decides to cross canter or counter canter ride in a 10 or 20 meter circle (slowly!) until she realizes it is more comfortable to do it correctly. If you don't know exactly how to feel if she is off or unbalanced have a knowledgeable rider watch you and let you know how she's looking.

Lots of times when a young horse is just starting canter work or under saddle work in general they get extremely sore so the more good work you do in the least amount of time the better. You don't want a sore backed horse because that can lead to bucking or rearing out of frustration and pain. When training my mare I regularly used Sore No More Linament and she stayed sound and happy.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Your vet and farrier are the exceptional men and women to invite in this query. Personally the extra horses you'll get barefoot the larger. It is less expensive and quite extra healthful for his or her ft. judging by way of this record a horse that's now not proven or or handiest proven slightly bit is a larger candidate for going barefoot. I could additionally make any path horses barefoot. To prefer a couple of that by way of those descriptions could in general do well being barefoot: Weaver and Harley. They each appear like horses that could be first-class barefoot. If i needed to prefer a horse or 2 to hold the sneakers on i could pass with Lacey, Jolie, and Blondie. They all whole/paintings commonly and could placed plenty of strain on their sneakers. Any horse is touchy soles could advantage from sneakers, nevertheless it is dependent. In the tip it comes all the way down to the pony, your cash, and also you farrier. The horse is completely unique and for that reason calls for unique sneakers/barefoot. Money turns out adore it does not subject to a factor for you in order that may not difference some thing. For me cash is tremendous so my pony is barefoot. besides. seek advice you vet and farrier and you'll see exceptional the right way to do your horses ft. Have a laugh with all of the horses.

Answer 3

The basics you need to teach your horse it's correct leads and cues on when he's suppose to take them get a training course from Dennis Regis or Pat Parelli and follow them. Watch RFDtv if you get it in your area. Good luck

Answer 4

he will learn when the time is right you do not need to teach them to canter you need to teach him how to stay in control he will canter when he is ready and not before. when you are trotting give him his head and give him a chance to canter and if he does he does and if he does not, well just wait