Kendrb - welcome to the Uni! With a new horse it all depends so much on what he has done in the past and how responsive he is to you. If he is well trained and responsive you may not even need a dually halter. If possible try to find out as much about his background as possible and find out what he does know and what he doesn't and what you may need to teach him. Let him settle in for a few days and just spend time with him. Try to assess what he does know on the ground by just leading him around e. g does he walk in the sweet spot or does he lag behind or barge in front of you, is he relaxed with different objects such as plastic bags or does he spook out, etc. If all goes well then after a few days you could start to ride him in a safe enclosed area and assess how he goes under saddle - just for 10 to 20 minutes a day initially and just at walk and trot. Again try to assess how responsive is he under saddle and what he knows and what you may need to teach him with Monty's help e. g. Does he walk up to a mounting block and allow you to mount, is he responsive to your riding aids - legs, seat and reins, is he calm and listening to you etc. Once you have spent sometime with him and assessed him in terms of Monty's training on the ground and then on his back you may find that you have some specific questions or problems you would like us to help you with. Good luck - it is a very exciting time for you so. I do hope all goes well and stay safe.

Thanks so much Maggie for responding!!great info- let me add which I neglected I have had Joe for 2 years- he was laid up last year with a torn ligament and on stall rest quite awhile- on the ground he is calm but once in saddle was always very forward moving-and at my age (56) I'm interested in a nice relationship with a walk trot trail horse- canter and gallop not out of question but really just want to enjoy!, I must be frank I have the BAD habit of being a treat person thinking it would help our relationship-though he is not a biter(yet :) ) I understand Monty's thinking and have started moving away from treats to only in stall (in bucket on his ball etc.) and after I have him stretch side to side I stretch his head to ground and will leave a treat on ground - Joe is great on ground manners - and I had an issue with him being very reactive if I picked up the reins just to walk-he was anticipating and was always bolting to go "somewhere"-I was trying different bits and have finally found better success with a MikMar- .........
When I found myself getting aggravated and losing patience I felt it was time to get a professionals help :)
Again thanks so much for responding I will let you know how things are going.
Kendra
Massachusetts,USA

Kendra thanks for the additional info. Must admit I am a treat person too despite being a Monty student - shouldn't admit it, I find treats are re-enforcing and are very useful on occasions especially when introducing your horse to new scary things like tractors etc. but they need to be given carefully and only occasionally. I try not to give my horses a treat if they are expecting it or looking for it and they need to have their heads looking forward and away from me before they get it. I break this rule with my QH as he is very gentle and spooks easily so I am happy for him to have his attention on me. Really no different from dog training. Some trainers believe in treats for encouragement and reward while others don't. Back to your fellow. If he is a bit too forward in the saddle and too ready to go then more ground work and lining will help to teach him the commands and relax him more. My. Nicky, now 21, is very forward and excitable with other horses - probably due to rough riding prior to her coming to me. I find she is better on a looser rein as she was trained Western. Sometimes just stopping her and backing her up helps or turning her back and riding her away again or turning her in circles -not so good as she sometimes thinks I want her to spin so the circles need to be larger. Hope he behaves for you now he is better.

Hi. My part bred Arab, Apollo, was very forward going all his 38 years. I am 57, no longer have Apollo but do have youngsters & am anticipating Taking them to the beach when they are older & just letting them rip! Humphrey is a cob who thinks he's a racehorse - can chuck divots the height of a street light. Kirk is not yet 17 months. If they have the same joy of running that Apollo had I am in for a speedy future. If Joe has more get up & go than you're comfortable with then I suggest you let him share that with another rider. Not part with him but share him. I shared Apollo with my friend who loves to ride great distances but NEVER jumps. I loved to team chase ( won't be trying that again ). Between us we had a very fit, very happy, doubly loved horse. Oh & I too am a treat provider. No biters in my herd of 5 but I do get my pockets investigated. Possibly Monty is right - but feeding them carrots & mints makes me so happy there would need to be a very serious issue before any change was made. Cheers, Jo

I've just noticed that we've not answered your question. Each horse only needs 4 - 6 join ups & you can see exactly how little time it takes to set the 'clock' in the Uni lessons. Cheers, Jo

Thanks Maggie and Jo- Glad to hear I'm not the only treat monster:)- it does help when I am asking for a stretch from him.
I was reviewing the initial lessons and did see the 4-6 times for Join up- thanks Jo here I'm thinking I have to do every day- as I may have mentioned I need to figure out a round pen so right now am in an indoor ring trying to do the Join up- keeping him going with out stopping and turning into me is where I'm at but he circles around me pretty good without running me too ragged- HA. Changing to the opposite direction is a little challenge but will keep working on it -I'll keep you posted-Just got my Dually too!!

Just saying hi Kendra, and a little help on the join up in a school. To get him to turn you need to make it a bit more bigger, so you're going to overstep his shoulder stretch out your hand as if over stepping his shoulder more and taking your hand past his head. Think of it you're reaching out for a London Cabbie that isn't stopping ;) As soon as he seen you've overstepped him, he should turn, then make sure you stay behind his shoulder in the driving point to make him move on again.
You could try this without doing a join up. Let him loose and let him have a run around, then run across the school in front of him like above and he'll want to turn instead of running you over, then when you try this move in join up he'll understand better.
Mel
x

Hi Mel,
I will try your suggestion! I have to agree that I think that your hailing gesture should be pretty apparent to him-more than what I've been trying to do--Thanks!!
You all are sooo great in helping- I was afraid no one would answer, as some of the posts are from previous years.

Thanks so much I'll keep in touch!!
Kendra :)

We all want to make a difference Kendra, helping each other is just a small gesture to having a happy relationship with not only our horses but everyone we meet :D
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
x

Second that comment. I have five ranging from 13 years to 3 months, including both parents of the yearling & foal. They all live together, both boys now gelded plus Max who is unrelated & gelded. Nice that this year we have a filly. There's not enough money on the planet to induce me to part with any of them. They are my entertainment in my retirement! (Early I'm pleased to say). Take care. Jo