A Fine Horse in New Country

Early learning - the three year old

One of the most important skills the long distance horse can have is to lead well - without hanging back and having to be dragged, or barging off forwards or pulling away to eat grass. That becomes exhausting after several hours on the trail. Although it's called trail 'riding', there's generally a fair bit of trail 'walking' too - over stony, boggy or steep ground, or where the path is very narrow or there are many overhanging branches. A horse which leads easily is a pleasure to be with - and one which is not mannerly in this respect is not likely to be much fun to ride, either...and is useless as a pack animal or being led off another horse.

Here Beatrice and I are moving together, focused in the same direction, on a slack leadrope (but note the long, strong leadrope in case of trouble. The handler should be wearing gloves!) Now Bea's leading manners are becoming established in an enclosed area, it is safe to start leading her around the countryside to become accustomed to seeing lots of new things.

The trail horse must lead equally well off both sides. Crossing a steep slippery slope you want to be above the horse in case he slips. Crossing water, you want to be upstream of him in case he should lose his footing. The other skill a trail horse should learn is to follow right behind you Indian fashion (without treading on you) - invaluable on narrow woodland paths or where there is a sheer drop on either side!

Standing
Bea also needs to learn to stand on command for varying periods of time (not too long, at first). A horse that won't stand still is awkward to mount, load packs or attend generally. Ultimately, Bea will be unconcerned about standing while her rider unfolds a map and tries to work out where they are, fiddles with an awkward gate or chats with a passer-by.

For now, I am pleased that she waits on command - something we are practising outside the school too, where there are more distractions. With young horses, a 'box' of poles, like here, is a useful reminder and visual barrier: if they start to shuffle around, they will step on one.

Introducing objects
As Beatrice is familiar with standing in the 'box', it is a good place to start introducing other objects - flapping things, ropes trailing round her, packsaddle etc. I prefer this method to introducing these things when an animal is tied up - in my opinion horses are more likely to panic if they feel they cannot get away (although not everyone agrees with me). It also reinforces learning to stand still on command, even when they don't really want to!

Initially I let her look at the object from a 'safe' distance, while reassuring her and encouraging her to stand still. As you can see (below) she soon decides that it is not something to be scared of! Young horses will often explore things with their mouths - I reckon that's ok, (as long as they don't explore me.) I work quietly away with the bag, moving it closer and them touching her with it. All the time I am watching her reaction: if she starts to get stressed, I ease off for a minute.

The object is NOT to terrify her, but for her to accept this strange thing around her without panicking. This early training will pay off on the inevitable day when a packsaddle slips round her belly or she gets a rope tangled round her back legs. Soon she confidently allows me to pass the bag under her belly, between her legs and over her tail. As you can see by the direction of her ears she is still paying attention to the bag, although standing obediently.