Horse Comes Home (from the trainer)

Brenda Robson Author

Being prepared for your horse's return home is critical. Here are some guidelines to help you start really enjoying the results of the training.

Horse Comes Home

Now what? Your horse has come home from the trainer and you are on your own!

Your horse will not retain what it learned and was conditioned to do if you don’t pick up where the training ended. Well, it didn’t really end — it is just well started.

First, you should have a detailed daily routine to follow. Horses thrive on routines and patterns of behaviour. The trainer had one for your horse, and if you didn’t attend regularly and make notes, then you need to ask for those details now!

These routines must be kept consistent. Your energy (internal and emotional) and pace (how you get things done) must be aligned with what your horse needs. For example, some horses are high energy and reactive, so a calmer energy and slower pace will best suit them while they adjust to your environment. Yes, even if it was their home before they were sent out.
A horse that is laid-back and quiet needs clarity and consistency in your actions. You do the same thing every day — from how you halter, lead, groom, and tack up to your pre-ride routine. The quiet ones will come along easily if there are no unexpected surprises to bring up suspicion and resistance.

You absolutely must have a pre-ride routine. I used to give routines to the owners when they took their horses home because it is the best way to build connection and prepare for the ride. However, that routine was often dropped after only a few days, and I could predict the probability of the rides becoming a challenge. Stay on routine is the best advice.

What you do when mounting and when you start moving is critical to achieving a good outcome — a safer riding experience. What did the trainer do? Was it walking with stretching? Was the horse trotted and cantered to get the zoomies out? Can you do this? These rides in the first month home are your opportunity to explore how your horse interprets your aids, rides patterns, and adapts to new areas.
Keep it simple to keep it safer and build from the basics. In the words of W. Zettl, “Every day like this” is an excellent rule to live by.

Plan a warm-up routine. Ride the warm-up routine. Every day. Sounds boring, right? However, the best warm-up routine is when the horse gets calm, relaxed, and responsive, and you become supple, balanced, and clear in your aids. When you both get to this stage, you are ready to take on a “task.”

How do you know when your horse has warmed up enough? The neck lowers and stretches, the gait flows evenly, the horse blows and responds to your light, clear cues. When are you ready? When you are moving in sync with the horse, your limbs are supple, you are balanced and not “holding” a position with stiffness, and you are no longer looking at your horse to see what might or might not happen.

Then, ride your plan. Do you have one? What’s next after the warm-up? Next month I will show you how to build a simple plan to prepare for any area of riding that you hope to experience.
Be encouraged to “take the time it takes so it takes less time.”

Categories: : Let's Talk Training