|
The
training or breaking of a young horse to saddle or harness consists in
gradually introducing the animal to wearing various pieces of tack and
then to carrying or pulling a weight. The forcible breaking of older
horses, in which a horse that has had no previous training is bridled,
saddled, and ridden, is regarded as primitive and unsatisfactory
training. A
young horse is broken to be haltered and led first, then gradually to
accept a saddle and a bridle. Most horses are pretty good about this if
you work slowly with them and don't mistreat them.
Advanced
training, as with advanced equitation, takes many forms. The training of
racehorses and cow ponies is a highly specialized art, best accomplished
by professional trainers. The horseman or horsewoman who rides for
pleasure, however, should have the knowledge necessary to exercise a
choice in training a horse to jump, hunt, behave in a show-ring, or
learn the basic dressage maneuvers. Because these accomplishments are
based on the natural movements of the horse, patience, skill, and
repetition are the prime teaching factors.
Back to the
Horse Care page |
