Breaking in!

[OhCappaGino]

What ways do you 'break in' your horses? Im going to start breaking in Vinnie my 4 year old! - Just waiting for vet to come take out his wolf teeth!

When i broke my apoolsa cob x i was 15, i did him - but i had someone with my at all times who had done it before and guided me!

Started with putting breaking bit in and roller on

After couple of days attached side reins onto roller - and he was turned ino the indoor to have a mooch about.

Then he had saddle on with side reins

Then i long reined him - lucky were i broke him it had quite roads so we went out and about.

Lunged a couple of times just before i got on for the first and second time

Had a strong guy lead me while i just sat, didnt put any leg - we left him unshod so he was a little sore for the first couple of times while we went out and about

I then had him shod and we hacked out with quiet older been there done that horse

He then had his shoes off and had winter off

Brought him back summer and we had a brill time - i sold him as he was just a little too small for me he was 14.2 at 3 and only grew to 15hh when i sold him at 6!

At the time i didnt know if it was right or wrong but it worked for him -

How does everyone else do there own horses/ponies??

Sorry for being so long - Thanks!!

 

[Foxhunter49]

I start with longing them, they would have already had a bit in their mouths. Then I introduce the felt saddle, side reins, second long line as a prelude to driving them out and about. I will also lead them fully tacked from another horse.
All the time I get them use to standing at the mounting block, leaning into them and over them. When I lean over them I just let them wander around without anyone leading them.
Then I will get on them and ride them straight out onto the roads and fields. They will be use to my legs from me flapping my arms down their sides when I lean over and I will not just walk but will give them a trot and a canter first time ridden.
Only when they are going forward freely, relaxed and balanced will I take them in the school.
I would not say this is the right way to do things regarding the riding away but it has worked for me for many years and with several hundred horses.

 

[SJcrazee]

I start with longing them, they would have already had a bit in their mouths. Then I introduce the felt saddle, side reins, second long line as a prelude to driving them out and about. I will also lead them fully tacked from another horse.
All the time I get them use to standing at the mounting block, leaning into them and over them. When I lean over them I just let them wander around without anyone leading them.
Then I will get on them and ride them straight out onto the roads and fields. They will be use to my legs from me flapping my arms down their sides when I lean over and I will not just walk but will give them a trot and a canter first time ridden.
Only when they are going forward freely, relaxed and balanced will I take them in the school.
I would not say this is the right way to do things regarding the riding away but it has worked for me for many years and with several hundred horses.

This approach works for me too!! I take then out on roads inhand and tacked up, do a little lunging to get voice commands established, lean over a few times, sit up quietly one day - I know when it feels "right" and then I hack out, I believe in teaching them forward and straight before attempting any schooling. I break mine as 4 year olds and I give them the winter off to mature some more before starting work in a school, but then I'm never in any hurry with mine and I buy on temperment not looks so don't have anything especially difficult or sharp as that's not my type! I need to be able to "pick up and put down" sometimes due to job etc!