The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With Your Horse
Today I would like to talk with you about the equipment you will need and a little about these tools.
Have you ever found your self in a situation where your not able to get your horse to do what it is you're asking of him or able to correct a problem your having with your horse? If you have then you may have found your self in the unfortunate situation of having to use severe aids (torture devices). Maybe a bigger more severe bit to get him to do what you want or correct a problem your having. Believe me when I say, this is not the answer.
In the last article we talked about using creativeness and imagination, a great tool, use it to help solve problems you are having with your horse instead of using equipment that is severe and punishes your horse. Always use equipment that helps you communicate with your horse rather than punishes (tortures) him.
How would you like to be able to communicate with yourhorse, nothing attached to him, independent of halters, ropes, lead ropes, bits, spurs, sticks or other aids. Is it possible? The answer is YES. To accomplish this You will need to understand the categories of tools and how to use them.
Tools are aids and there are two kinds: natural and artificial. Artificial aids are such things as; lead ropes, halters, ropes, hackamores, bits, spurs and others. Natural aids are simple, they are you, arms, legs, hands, seat and voice.
What are the different categories of tools? They are not in any particular order.
a. Spurs? They are extensions of your legs.
b. Sticks? These are extensions of your arms.
c. Halters, ropes, hackamores, and mecates? These are used for basic communication.
d. Bits? used for riding refinement.
The bit and spur are used while on your horses back and are used to teach, reinforce, control and refine the 6 yields (forward, backward, left, right, up and down). The spur is used as an extension of your leg. The stick, lead rope and halter are also used to teach, reinforce, control and refine the six yields and can be used on the ground or from the horses back. The stick is used as an extension of your arms.
Using these categories you can play with your horse to develop and build a great foundation between you and your horse.
Tools I use and suggest you use are:
a. rope hackamore? Why? They are the most gentle followed by leather and rawhide and no metal parts.
b. 6' horseman's string? Use to teach the horse to yield to pressure, can also be use as a Rein - attach it to the hackamore.
c. 5" horseman's stick? Has a leather keeper at the end. Used for teaching the horse to yield to pressure and can be used for flagging, touching tapping. You can also attach the 6" horseman's string and use it as an extension of your arms (do not use as a whip).
d. mecate reins? Mecate reins are usually 22 feet long with 10 feet of continuous loop rein. The remaining 12 feet is used as a lead rope. The Mecate rein can be use with a hackamore or snaffle bit. You can loop the Mecate rein through your belt loop or around your saddle horn.
e. snaffle bit? Used for teaching, controlling, reinforcing, and refining lateral flexion. The snaffle I prefer has 3 inch rings a 5 inch wide mouthpiece made of sweet iron and a few copper inlays. This creates just enough taste and saliva and prevents dry mouth which can become an irritant and distract the horse. The bit then looses it's effectiveness as a communication tool.
f. bareback pad? This optional. They have a handle on the pad to help you balance your self when learning to ride bareback. If you opt for a bareback pad make sure you find one that is made of leather with felt pad liners, and have latigos and regular mohair cinches.
g. saddle? Used for riding your horse. Having owned a saddle shop with my brother who is one of the best saddle maker in the country I can tell you the most important thing in choosing a saddle whether it be western, English etc. is the tree. Make sure the bars fit your horses back and the seat is comfortable and fits you. For more information visit with your local saddle maker to find out how to fit your horse and you.
h. saddle pad? Used under the saddle on the horses back. Choose a saddle pad that is made of natural materials (something like wool) make sure it offers enough protection for your horses back. Not to thin. If you are doing a lot of hard riding in a western saddle you will want to use a good saddle pad and a folded Navajo blanket. Light riding usually requires only one good pad.
i. spurs? Extensions of your legs. DO NOT jab your horse with your spurs or use as a torture device. Spurs are meant to be used to teach, control, reinforce and refine lateral movement and up and down movement. GENTLY apply pressure to get the response you are looking for. I prefer a medium shank spur with a rowel that rolls freely. Make sure the rowel is large and wide with a lot of blunt points
I hope this gives you some insight on types of tools and how to use them.
Have fun with your horse(s)
Mike
This article brings to a conclusion the 6 Keys for developing a life long partnership with your horse. I hope found it helpful?
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