Training and Horsemanship - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Training and Horsemanship

Chapter 34

Slide2

Objectives

Explain the basic principles of training

a horse

Describe basic horsemanship procedures

List basic procedures for showing a horse

Slide3

Understanding the Behavior

of Horses

Behavior of horses is based upon survival instincts

Horses’ eyes see independently

Horses must raise their heads to see objects at a distance

Horses must lower their heads to bring close objects into focus

Slide4

Understanding the Behavior

of Horses (cont.)

Horses have very good memories

Training a horse requires skill, patience, and careful handling

Begin training when they are still foals

Horses have a banding instinct

Horses can hear very high pitches

Horses also have a good sense of smell

Slide5

Understanding the Behavior

of Horses (cont.)

The rider communicates to the horse through

Voice

Hands

Legs

Weight

Horses can sense when a rider is secure or is not secure

Slide6

Training the Young Horse

Haltering

A foal may be halter-broken when it is only a few weeks old

Once the halter is introduced, give positive reinforcements

Petting

Small amount of grain

Slide7

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Leading

To teach a foal to lead

Use a rope tied around the rump and the halter

Pull on the ropes to get the foal to move in a forward motion

Working with the Feet

The foal should be taught to allow its feet to be picked up and handled

Slide8

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Longeing

Longeing is training the horse at the end of a 25- to 30-foot line

The horse should be taught to walk, trot, and canter in a circle, in that order

Slide9

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Saddling

Horse must be prepared for saddling several days before it is first saddled

Sacking is performed

When saddling for the first time,

let the horse see and smell the saddle

Then, move the blanket on and off the horse several times

Slide10

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Saddling (cont.)

Slide11

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Use of Hackamore and Bridle

A hackamore can be used in training young horses, to prevent mouth injury

A bridle with a snaffle bit may also be used

Driving

Some trainers ground-drive prior to mounting and riding

Slide12

Training the Young Horse (cont.)

Mounting and Riding

Mount horse several times so it will get used to the weight

Allow horse to walk on its own for a short time

Stop horse with voice command, “whoa”

After weeks of training in small area, move to more open spaces

Horse learns best at a slow gait

Slide13

Horsemanship

Art of riding a horse

Also called equitation

Two general types

Western

English

Those wishing to ride must be taught by a competent instructor

Slide14

Horsemanship (cont.)

Mounting

The horse is

mounted from

the near left side

Slide15

Horsemanship (cont.)

Mounting (cont.)

Begin mounting

by

placing the

left

foot in

the stirrup

Slide16

Horsemanship (cont.)

Mounting (cont.)

When mounting,

the

rider pushes off

with

the left foot and

swings

the right leg

Slide17

Horsemanship (cont.)

Seat Position

Rider sits

relaxed in

the

center

of

the

saddle

Slide18

Horsemanship (cont.)

Dismounting

The reverse of mounting

Controlling the Horse

Basic aids used in controlling include voice, hands, legs, and weight

Use the reins to teach the horse to turn

Slide19

Showing at Halter

Horses shown at halter are judged for

Conformation

Soundness

Action

Horse is led into ring at a brisk walk

The horses will be lined up and shown

Stretched position or

nonstretched

position

Slide20

Equitation Classes

Western Equitation

The rider wears a Western hat and cowboy boots

Rider maintains a firm seat in the saddle

The horse is expected to demonstrate a

Walk

Trot

Lope both clockwise and counterclockwise

Slide21

Equitation Classes (cont.)

English Equitation

Informal clothing

Formal attire is required for evening saddle seat equitation and

three-gaited

classes

Reins are always carried in both hands

Rider needs a high level of skill

Horses are often more high-

strung, animated

Rider uses posting

Slide22

Equitation Classes (cont.)

English Equitation (cont.)

Horse

is expected to

demonstrate

Jumping

A walk

A trot

A

canter, in

both directions in the ring

Slide23

Gymkhana

Games on horseback, including

Pole bending

Clover-leaf barrel race

Rescue race, sack race

Wheelbarrow race

Keyhole race, saddling race

Team baton race

Slide24

Rodeos

Horse must be well trained

Events include

Saddle bronc riding

Chuck wagon races

Bareback bronc riding

Calf and steer roping

Bulldogging

Slide25

Rodeos (cont.)

Events include (cont.)

Wild horse races

Reining contests

Cutting horse contests

Slide26

Trail Riding

Trail riding is a popular activity

A trail ride may span a few hours or a few days

Must prepare for a trail ride and build up endurance