Henry Starts Training

 Henry Starts Training

It was time.  Of course, I started training Henry on Day one, as we all do when we get a horse.  Everything we do is training.  We worked on leading.  I led him all around the property and out to the street.  I was glad to see that he was as good with traffic as his previous owner assured me he was. 

Recently, I introduced him to a bit less bridle.  I am not a bitless bridle purist, but our horses have done just as well bitless as with a bit, and I had a problem.  I didn't have any other bridles.  Cole has one.  Trifecta is using Ranger's old bitless bridle.  I started using it over the winter and he not only doing well in it, but he looks pretty in the red and green biothane.  I am still using Cruiser's old synthetic bridle on Trifecta when we go on the trail.  I know that Ellen doesn't have anything small enough to fit Henry, so I got Cole's old bitless and tried that on him and it fits really nice.  It is cob size because Cole is little.  (Don't tell him that.)  I certainly don't want to buy a new bridle for a growing horse.  Once I  know how large he will get, I will get him a new bridle all his own and a bit that fits him.

Since I was sure that this was a new piece of equipment for him, I started to use it to go on his walkabouts.  By putting one rein in each hand and holding the reins under his head, I could simulate steering the bitless.  He seemed a little puzzled at first, but then he caught on and we could walk in all sorts of figures.  

He got to meet all of our horses.  He is the first horse I ever found that Cole really likes.  That just makes me smile each time I think of it.  He learned that he should be respectful with Cole, play with Dante and cuddle with Starry.  It was a little tricky with Trifecta the first few times because Trifecta can be way over the top in his demands to play.  The first couple sessions had to be ended early, but after that, each session got a little better.

The morning that Henry's real training started, we had him out with Trifecta first as we cleaned the stalls.  I checked on them and saw Henry trotting by; followed by Trifecta.  They stopped at the gate for a few moments and Henry took off at a canter.  Trifecta was thrilled that he had someone to run with, and he immediately followed.  They kept going around and around.  Henry's canter got faster and faster as he started lengthening his strides.  Before we knew it, Trifecta had to work to keep up with him.  They switched directions a few times and kept going.  That is when I decided it would be a perfect day to start training.  Ellen agreed.

We brought him back in and let him take a break.  I put the surcingle and the bridle on him and brought him out.  After leading him around a little bit, I had Ellen hold him as I hooked up the long reins.  Ellen led him at first, and he was fine.  This was no surprise since he had some harness training in his old home.  I told her to unhook him, and she continued to walk with him as I ground drove him around the arena.  We went both ways, crossed the diagonal a few times and did some "whoas."  He did very well, so we called it quits after about 10 minutes.  

I was not surprised that he was so good, but it still made me very happy.  We won't be working him hard or often--just when we have some extra time to play around.  I am in no hurry because I won't be riding him until spring.  It was just nice to get started.