Again the number of horses coming through our home facility continues to amaze me. With different types, sizes etc. For the horsemanship article below I have provided some observations for setting yourself up for success with the young horse – green horse. I have probably over the years touched on this before in different ways.
Whats New: On October 15 & 16 we have a home course coming up, plus in November we have a course in Brisbane at Anstead Acres and then in December I am back in Western Australia. Please keep an eye on the website course schedule for updates.
Look at what your overall competency around horses is and be honest. Look at the temperament that is going to best fit you and your situation and then ask yourself, do I need a young horse. There is no right or wrong answer this is about what fits your situation.
I personally enjoy developing young horses into nice saddle horses, it is not for everyone though. You can still develop a 5 – 8 year old horse into a nice saddle horse. You will also have a better idea of the 5 – 8 year old horses soundness and temperament etc as well. ( I am only using the 5 – 8 year old age bracket as an example, if an older horse again is a better fit for you then go with what is going to work for you and the horse. )
If you are going to breed your own horses, my suggestion would be to handle them to where they can be haltered, lead, pick up their feet, load into a horse trailer etc. Even if for no other reason than normal animal health such as; hoof care, worming or to treat injuries. While it is not a guarantee, if horses are handled well as young horses then the starting process and outcome is going to be easier for horses and humans.
My last suggestion, without turning this blog into a novel is education for the human. Those that have made the commitment to educate themselves regardless of the topic and do their homework over time make progress.
In finishing this blog up, I came across this post the other day on a social media platform. I had read this a long time ago and there was not a lot of understanding on my part at the time. I read it differently now. They are words that Ray Hunt carried in his wallet.
Understanding is the one-dimensional comprehension of the intellect. It leads to knowledge. Realization is three dimensional–
A simultaneous comprehension of head, heart, and instinct. It comes only from direct experience.
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