This is Andi, a four-year old Icelandic Horse gelding, owned and trained by Susan, who decided to train
her own horse. Her reasons:
Just what makes me think I can start and properly
train my own horse? I will probably ALWAYS consider
myself an advanced beginner (although I've been told
by many people that I have more skill than
confidence). So who do I think I am that I feel I can
train my own horse from scratch? Because I'm his
friend first, that's why!
Andi will be the first horse that I have done ALL the
training with. I got him at 11 months old, basically
a wild horse who spent most of his life in a large
herd running with his buds. I have developed a
relationship with him - one based on trust and
positive re-enforcement (the clicker). Why on earth
would I break that trust by sending him to someone
that doesn't know HIM? Could they do it faster? Yes.
Are they better riders? Yes. Do they have more
knowledge than I do? Yes. But they don't have his
trust and I do. It might take me longer, but that's
OK. At least I will always know what has been done to
him.
He will always be ridden in a saddle that is
comfortable for him (the Sensation) and will be
started in a halter. I promise to always reward the
slightest try and not balance off his mouth (that's
what that heavy mane and breastcollar is for!). I
will not force him into a "frame" and make him do
anything he is not able to do based on his
conformation.
I am his friend first, and that's what makes me
qualified above anyone else to train him from scratch.
_____________________
My girlfriend came over this afternoon and after she
worked her horse, I got Andi out, saddled him up, did
a little review of our groundwork, then with Denise
standing at his head - I got on! I clicked him, and
got off. I did this several times and then Denise
took me for a pony ride around the round pen. She
only got the one pic, and I didn't put my feet in the
stirrups untill Andi started walking. It was all a
piece of cake!! It was not only Andi's first, but it
was my first first on a horse! This was a dream come
true for me! Here is the link to the pic:
Earlier this morning, I ponied Andi off of Foxi and he
went for his first trail ride. Foxi is the perfect
pony horse, as absolutely nothing bothers her and I
think it would take a bomb going off to spook her.
It was a good day!
_____________________
My friend, Denise, came over this evening and I got to
have my second ride on Andi. I just got home from
work, so I was still in my scrubs, but I put my riding
boots and helmet on. It was incredible. Andi could
care less that I was on his back! All he knows is he
did good because he got clicked and treated. After a
few rounds around the round pen, I started steering
him and Denise just followed. Here is the link to the
pics:
