New Mare was sold as "bombproof" How do I...

[Chickerdoodle13]

Is there any way you can call the previous owners? We've done this a few times with little things and it works like a charm.

Your best bet is to lunge or round pen her quite a bit before riding. Do it with the saddle on and off and then when she's nice and tired, jump on her back. If you can't get ahold of the owners, you might have to just rework everything you want trained. We just went through a similar situation, although not by my decision. My dad took in a free horse from someone and hadn't ridden her before bringing her home. I'm not sure what she knows or how she's trained, but just working together allows both of us to learn from each other. So far I've been able to figure out foot signals and she knows a few word commands. Its really all about trial and error. However, with a new horse like that, don't be surprised if you have to go back to the training basics.

 

[Countrymom]

Even if you are not a novice you obviously need help with this horse. It wouldn't hurt one bit to consult a trainer in person instead of on the internet. There is a lot of advice we can give and get here, but unless we see or are there to help it isn't always clear enough to help you. As for commands even I don't use the same as you. And you will need to consider the type of training this horse is - Western or English. I am not as versed in English as Western. However, a personal lesson with a good trainer can help you answer a whole lot. Especially when they can see you ride the horse.

As for buying a horse without riding her, been there done that. However, I paid the price of a broodmare only - not a riding horse. I sure hope you were not taken. It happens too many times to count - even to someone who has previously owned a horse and riden. Luckily our mare turned out to be a babysitter and is now at our neighbors teaching their child to ride.

I think I have to agree with Farrier on this one as your original post sure sounded like a newbie. And I have to admit I don't have my children riding in helmets.
Here is my oldest...without helmet.

However, that is one heck of an advanced rider compared to most children who have no clue how to ride. I have three that are enjoying this sport of cutting.

 

[Bronco Hollow]

It is hard to 'hear' or 'know' what the OP is really saying when we read this on a forum, but I do agree that the original question sounded very novice.

To answer your question as to trainers methods we use: Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. There is no fast track in horse training that counts anyway to my minds eye.

I've never seen or heard the same methods to train a horse as for a dog or any other animal. I'm not big into verbal commands for our horses. Whoa is probably my most favorite word lol I do have several names that I call them from time to time......, but I don't think that counts lol... Our horses for fun trail ride, for work they are part of the Sheriffs Department for special events, crowd control, etc. We also get called out on search and rescue [wilderness]. All our commands come from leg pressure and some rein. Did I mention I like the word Whoa? lol


I also see where farrier is coming from. With exceptions such as countrymom's daughter [and congrats to her!].... [and I'm not saying that SabelBaron does this....] I cringe every time I see a picture of a casual kid rider in flip flops, bareback or in an adult saddle and no helmet. I've seen too many wreaks with inexperienced kids on so called boom-proof horses on a pleasure ride.... just a page out of my book....

Oh and this is just my thoughts and opinion... but, What exactly is bomb-proof? I've seen bomb-proof go to bucking and give ho to a major spooks and bolts, so I'm not real found of that word. Horses, as much as we love them, as beautiful as they are, as versatile as they can... are just animals. Even the best steady-eddy horse with the best training will have a bad day.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I always wear a helmet, even though I really don't have to. I just feel safer wearing one, but its really a personal choice. My dad doesn't wear a helmet and neither do most other riders out there. I just know that even though I've been riding for a long time, I've been out of the sport for a few years and I'm not always prepared for the surprises my horses will throw at me! I like to see kids wearing helmets, but its not something I push on other people. Although I was happy when they made it mandatory for the 4-Hers to wear helmets during the speed events. I think now they even have to wear them during western pleasure. Its not all that bad of an idea IMO. I saw way too many accidents during my time in 4-H!

I think "bombproof" gets thrown around way too much these days. I have an old trail gelding who doesn't spook at very much, but I still wouldn't consider him bombproof. I can throw anyone of any age on him and he's an angel. (His fastest gait is about a walk! LOL) but he's still an animal and he can still do something unexpected! I remember one time he spooked at a log. It wasn't a bad spook, but it just reminded me that even the most seasoned horse can spook at any old thing! There are very few horses I consider bombproof, and many of those horses have gone through extensive police training. Even then, those horses can still get scared!

I always remember that we all started somewhere and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a rough start in horses either! The important thing is to know when to seek help! We are still making mistakes all the time with horses and horse training and we've been around them for 15+ years. We bought a two year old horse in March and boy does she have her days! We are definitely learning a lot, but they sure can be dangerous animals. It can be pricey to get some more professional help, but boy is it worth it sometimes!

A lot of the signals you mentioned are not ones that I normally use for my horses. My guys know whoah (Or at least I'm teaching them the word!) and most of them know "back", "walk", and "jog". I haven't really worked on loping yet because I just don't have enough balance from taking about a two year riding break. Other commands they know are "over" for when I want them to move away from me and "up" when I want them to pick up a leg. Kissing either means to go faster or to join up and follow me. The tone of my kissing is a little different depending on what I want the horse to do, but the horse just does what my body language tells them to.

Like I said before, you really just have work with the horse to get to know her. If you don't feel comfortable riding her for the first time, find someone who will.

Hopefully she works out for you!

 

[()relics]

A bomb-proof horse???? Anyone who knows anything about horses will tell you there is no such thing...If you didn't ride the mare before you bought her...I would assume she is not a finished horse...muchless bomb-proof...I would hate to take someones word and assume she is a calm and finished horse only to have her drop the "bomb" on you when you aren't ready for it....and to make matters worse she was in foal...possibly a brood mare???? Sure she might be bomb-proof as long as you don't intend to ride her.
....A helmet???? I would round pen her before I rode her...unless you like the occasional rodeo mount.
...My son and daughters ride in flip-flops and shorts, they just came in from a sunday ride that could be mistaken for a trip to the beach by the look of their outfits I don't like it but what can you do???

 

[nightshade]

helmet - I personally do not wear one, I make my 6 yr old son always wear one. my horse has a the habit of acting like a bronc at the local rodeo when he has not been rode for awhile or he has had to much sweet feed. I am use to this and normally laugh like hell when he does it, because I know why he is doing it. But a new horse you can never be to cautious with. If you think for any reason there is a reason you should be worried wear the helmet, accidents happen.

 

[Guest]

Hmm, I ride English and bareback and was never trained to use any word commands at all. Sometimes I use clucks and clicks, but I let my body do the real driving. Everything is body language, which both Western and English horses understand quite well, in my experiences. My trainers all pounded into me that I should be able to guide just about any horse completely with my legs, barely any reins at all. And I have, whether they were hunter/jumpers, barrel racers or pleasure riders.

That said, with a new horse I would hire a trainer to come in for a few lessons to help my horse and I become acclimated to each other. There is no shame in that -- my mother is very accomplished but she just hired someone to help her train her new 2-year olds walk across the bridge to the pasture, etc.

And if you just can't or don't want to get away from word commands, then I would call the previous owners and ask them what they used, if any.

Good luck! Enjoy the new horse, most of all

 

[Cara]

I can't offer you training advice, I have enough problems of my own! However, I think I can offer some life experience advice. Take everything the previous owners have told you, and throw it out the window. It's just not safe to trust what someone else has told you, as nine times out of ten horse sellers are not going to be completely honest. This is especially true if you didn't get a chance to ride the horse or see her ridden. I figured out pretty quick while horse shopping that there was no way I was riding a horse that the owners would not get on first.

She can only do what you can get her to do, if that makes sense. I'm not saying you don't know much, just that the two of you need get to know each other and understand what is expected. I don't think there's any secret language, just cues to unravel or in some cases teach.

 

[ducks4you]

I think "bombproof" gets thrown around way too much these days. ...There are very few horses I consider bombproof, and many of those horses have gone through extensive police training. Even then, those horses can still get scared!

I agree. We have been CW Reenactors (Cavalry and aide to Infantry staff) since 1986. I have seen my bomb-proof horses age and pass away. They have the been the closest thing to bomb-proof of anything I have ridden or allowed a friend to ride. We bought another such horse last year, at the 145th Gettysburg. Along with my other 3 horses (two now passed on, one retired) these horses tolerate gunfire around them (4,000 troops firing at willL), cannons going off, bugles being blown, and we shoot and play while riding. Nothing on a trial ride causes them to spook and throw the rider. Some things do cause them to pause, because they are horses, right?
(Don't we need a horse smiley...?)

 

[mully]

I would take time to know the horse and most importantly let the horse get to know you and this takes time and some horses are a little slow to learn or resistant. I would get as much info from the previous owner and start from there. Be patient and your horse will do better in the long run ... just be her friend first, you can't fall in love on the first date. Tho some think they can.