Hi Everybody, I'm new here.i have purchased a friesian Draft cross filly who is now just reached 1 yr 5-12-17. Ive been working with her daily to every other day minimum.Shes willing to please but of coarse is stubborn at times.ive done join up and repeat join up.so i know shes bonded.sometimes if we dont work i spend quality time grooming her talking to her etc.non aggressive but shows me signs when im irratating her.i recently started single line lounging her.but then saw the long lining video and saw how bad it is for the horse.is she too young for surcingle with side reins? Must i use side reins, obviously sh desirees not bitted, i did buy monty's dually but waiting for it in the mail.any advice is appreciated.my first and foremost goal is to not damage my horse ie tendons, or psychy. So far we walk ,halt ,voice commands, back up. Groom still working on standing her patients and pickup up her feet she picks them up but slam back down after 1.5 seconds.help😀
Rewards
Subscribe to Equus Online University and become a part of Monty's worldwide mission to leave the world a better place for horses and for people too.
Students automatically gain access to special rewards, such as exclusive discounts at the Monty Roberts Online Shop. Visit Monty Roberts Online Shop.
I'm just going to address the part about side reins/long reining. (I'm longwinded enough as t is...) ;)
First I applaud your decision to buy the Dually! It is quite invaluable in training young horses, but make sure you spend time learning how to use it and then to accustom your filly to how it works. Lots of ground work does the trick and is good for you both. There is no hurry to do lots of things at this time anyway.
By all means use a surcingle, but get her used to it incrementally and make sure it is one that will fit properly! It helps a lot to be able to keep the reins through the rings on it.
Visit this site for an idea of the ideal surcingle:
https://tsgw.rcasp.se/038/en/Products/Saddlery_for_horses/Long_Reining/Long_Reining_Surcingle_A_E_?id=1105#.WSfjnsYlFPY
My advice on side reins is to avoid them as much as possible unless the horse has a problem that needs tending to.
In such a young horse, growing a lot too at that age, I recommend careful training where the physical demands are concerned. By all means, long rein her in the Dually! Go for walks to teach her about her surroundings and the "dangers" that lurk there; teach her simple commands and the basic lines of the arena, take her over poles and maybe build easy labyrinths and obstacle courses ("agility" for horses)
Avoid lots of circles, canter unless free in a larger area, as this can put too much strain n growing joints, and restraining things like side reins or the plethora of gadgets that aims to get your horse to round up and work more from behind. Your filly isn't grown enough to cope with that yet. (Not saying they are useless, just that you more often than not need to be extremely well versed and competent in how to use them to make them work the way they are meant to even with well trained, grown horses.)
A young, healthy horse will usually put its head where it needs to be for the moment on its own accord. "Showing it the way" is not applicable at that age or time in the training schedule. If it learns to find its own way at that age, chances are you won't need aids to show it anything in the future either.
(If the horse doesn't and the problem isn't fixable with basic training, one should always call in expertise and possibly a vet.)
Bit is fine, but not necessary, if you use it gently and/or avoid connecting the reins to it (using the dually or the noseband/side-pull instead). Avoid using the horse's mouth for as long as possible, especially when doing new things as they are likely to upset and may be cause for outbursts where we inevitably will pull at the reins to stop the behavior - or because we are caught off guard/balance - and will hurt their mouths. Another reason not to put side reins on a youngster! With its head restricted it might loose balance, fall over and hurt itself - could happen even on a light stumble.
And if you got through that all the way down here; Best of luck and have lots of fun with your filly!
Great advice and very well said Kicki. Welcome to the forum Swhitepro. Friesians are wonderful horses and make astounding partners and that`s exactly where I would put my efforts with your young charger: DEVEOLPING THE RELATIONSHIP.
Have fun and take the time to learn about your horse. In a few years, you will look back and be amazed at how much she will have taught you.
Good luck
Bud
I agree with Kicki but I firmly believe that at just 1 yr old it is too soon to begin long-lining your filly and definitely too young for a bit. Frisians take a bit longer to grow up and being that she is a Frisian-draft cross it will definitely take longer than say an arab or quarter horse.
Training 3 days per week for a Frisian youngster should be more than enough and she should not be worked for more than 15-30 minutes at a time. If you push her too much too soon it can have devastating effects on her growth and bone structure.
I have found with Bente that she also needs the time to process what we have done in order to get it and be comfortable with the learning process. If I try to push her past her patience/comfort level it will inevitably go very wrong. The other days are ideal for just spending time with her in the pasture or grooming, if she enjoys it. Basically just being with her and building your bond that way. Being that your filly is just a yearling don't forget that she needs time to just be a horse and learn about being a horse.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your/her progress.
Nika
We humans seem to have a problem with being on HORSE TIME because our world can become hectic and move at a pace that keeps our brains in hyper-mode. I am thinking now about cell phones and computers. We all have a tendency to walk away from the necessary steps that lead us to proficiency in any form because of the time that has to given to build that mastery.
The biggest single problem that I see with people and horses is LEADERSHIP. I would suggest that your spend your time with your filly by taking leadership to an art form and developing FEEL between you two. In a year`s time that would put you two ahead of 90% of the people who own horses. Look for the subtle things that she might offer you, because the importance of these things cannot be over-stated especially if they are recognized by you. If you should go into long lining before she sees you as a strong leader, any accomplishments that you realize with her will probably be forgotten in a few days. " THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING IN IT`S TIME".
You have come to the right place for help and suggestion. Because of this, my hope is that you will feel armed with direction to help your filly become all that she can be. This will be a journey for the both of you. Enjoy the ride
All the best
Bud