Training and Starting the Young Horse |
For starting young horses, Jeannette finds that 3 sessions per week is optimal and is happy to work with unbacked horses given suitable facilities and ground assistance. 
Jeannette feels that the better the ground manners a youngster has, the more quickly and easily she finds the training can go. As a general progression, Jeannette will typically start in hand, introducing the phrases "walk on!" and "and whoa" to the young horses' vocabulary, along with the concept that she is someone to be looked to for direction. Longeing expands the vocabulary to include trot and canter, and calm prompt transitions between gaits.
Depending on the horse, the facility, and the assistance available, side reins, long lining, or giving "pony rides" (the horse being led with Jeannette astride) may be introduced next. Our goal is to quietly, safely, and systematically introduce your horse to forward, restraining, and turning aids so we can walk, trot, and canter, and move between the gaits, without undue excitement. Building confidence and respect in appropriate doses results in horses who can happily go on in your chosen discipline.
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