One Essential Tool
May 24, 2011
AQHA Professional Horsemen reveal the one training tool they can’t live without.
From The American Quarter Horse Journal
A longeline is a great training tool to use to with a fresh horse.
There are many tools used when training a horse, but there is always one that a trainer can’t live without. The Journal recently asked three AQHA Professional Horsemen what is their most essential training item.
Chuck Briggs
Azle, Texas
“A longe line. It’s for safety. If they’re fresh, you’ve got to longe them before someone can ride them.”
Nancy Cahill
Madisonville, Texas
“Big machinery tires. I know that sounds weird, but I use them to tie my horses to. The tires are big and heavy, weighing about 600 to 700 pounds. I drill a hole in the tire so you can tie the lead rope into it. The horses can’t move them easily, but the tires will move if the horse sits back. It’s not like tying them hard and fast to a fence or post.
In addition to these great training tips, check out AQHA’s FREE report, Horse Trailer Loading Tips, to learn about some techniques to get your horse loading more confidently into a trailer.
The tires will give a lot, and it won’t pull the horse’s neck down either. You can take just about any horse that thinks he wants to prance around, tie him to it like you would to anything else – short enough to where he can’t get his feet over it. Sometimes we’ll take a big muck bucket, fill it with water and sit it in the middle, too, so the horse can have water. You can then leave them as long as you think is wise. It’s a patience builder and teaches them to be still and be quiet.
Plus, they get to see our circus going on out there. Instead of being in a stall where the horse doesn’t see anything, he will then have planes fly over him, dogs run under him and cattle run by. It really, really helps. Plus, the shops that have used tires will usually give them away because it costs them about $100 to dispose of them.”
Tired of troublesome trailer loading sessions? Take a look at AQHA’s FREE report, Horse Trailer Loading Tips, to get some hints about giving your horse the confidence he needs for effortless trailer loading.
Lainie DeBoer
Forest Lake, Minnesota
“My hard hat is essential to me. I never get on a horse without it. I have two little girls, and I don’t want anything to happen to me and have to leave those girls behind. So I never get on a horse without it. I make sure my hard hat is approved and that it’s tight enough on my head to where it I fell off, it wouldn’t go over my eyes.”
What are some of your favorite training tools?
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24 Comments on “One Essential Tool”
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May 24th, 2011 at 6:41 am
AQHA Professional Horsemen believe that 700 lb.tractor tires and addressing a fresh horse(?) at the end of a longe is necessary? What exactly is the required criteria for the label AQHA Professional?
Cindy Musselwhite
Falisi Professional Horsewoman
May 24th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hello-
I agree a the lounge line- is a must- but the tire is in question- I take a old rubber tire tube and wrap it around a small sapling tree in the open with some shade- tie the lead line thru it – with a quick release snap and hook to halter to the tube for flexibility – this isn’t ridgid – and gives as a colt pulls- to give and take – the colt also learn patience – water is a reward as he slows down and learns patience-jwt
May 24th, 2011 at 7:47 am
Besides the round pen , I absolutely love to use about a 2 foot piece of as a lariat rope. Some horses seem so scared that using the lunge whip around them when first starting them in the round pen seems to scare them to the point of a distraction . The small piece of rope works as an extension of my hand without the fear. The lunge whip is an invaluable tool when teaching things such as trailer loading when I need a longer extension of my hand for pressure and release never whipping.
May 24th, 2011 at 7:56 am
WHOA WHOA Cindy there is absolutely nothing wrong with longeing a horse that is fresh. What would you prefer a person hop on with no idea of the horses temperament that day ? Acting fresh and goofing under longe line vs acting up under saddle is a safety ideal. I am not sure what you are trying to attack here other then common sense! I assure you it is far less stressful for you & the young horse to longe rather then buck with you on them. Obviously you are one of the ones who believe you can re-invent the wheel ! I have seen so many new fangled approaches that are dangerous ! So before you act all high and mighty go earn your money in the show pen. Go test your skill among the best horsemen & women! Then and only then when you have won a world title or two come and tell us all how we are wrong and you are right. Till then just sit back and let the REAL professionals talk ok !
May 24th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Any tool can be used correctly or incorrectly. Cindy, your comment was just rude and condescending. Anyone can call herself a “Professional Horsewoman,” but a true professional will be the first to admit that horses, like children, learn best when receiving a multitude of training experiences. The best “trained” horses are the ones conditioned to respond intelligently to new situations that my spark fear and flight in a horse with fewer experiences.
May 24th, 2011 at 8:41 am
I never haul anywhere without my longe line, I use it to warm up my showmanship horse in the morning, and for ant young horse that may be fresh, or likes a good long warm up before being put to work, its a great way to teach vocal cues to a weanling, yearling, and 2yr olds, before riding them, cues like whoa! I would rather get on a horse that is ready to listen, then one that is too full of himself to think straight. I also find my snaffle bits very important to me. All my horses work in a snaffle bit of some kind, smooth mouth, twisted, flavored or not, I find one that horse likes the best, and work them in that, helps keep them soft. I love the tire idea! I need to get a hold of one of them, a great way from teaching tying and patience with less chance of injury to handler or horse.
May 24th, 2011 at 8:48 am
Cindy, you are being very narrow minded. According to your theory’s website, bucking is an act of aggression. Well I can tell you that my horse bucks when he feels good and wants to play or is just feeling ornery. By lunging him for a few minutes, we avoid unnecessary arguments, and have a much happier ride.
I love the large tire idea. May have to try that. I really like that you can put water in the center. We don’t have any good trees to tie to.
May 24th, 2011 at 9:15 am
I surprised at the lack of understanding when it comes to essential tools in dealing with horses…horses have people problems….safety is the most essential tool and thinking like a horse…a lunge line is integral in visualizing your horse for many reasons…this tool is a ideal for fresh horses…tension release for a horse in a new environment…you are able to watch your horses way of travel uninhibited (ie lameness issues). My lunge line has been my right hand man for 30 yrs in showing horses by using it before I ride I evaluate my horse that day…I can see where I will need to focus my attention when I riding, you can see if he is relaxed, mouth issues, tight in his shoulders,,, needs to be moved forward etc as some examples…
Don’t judge a persons essential tool it varies from one to another discipline…Ive seen reiners never pick up a lunge line, WP people and Hunter types lunge before everytime they ride, so what works for one might not work for each other.
May 24th, 2011 at 9:38 am
I agree with all you guys, you use what works best for you. But if you ask Peter Campbell, he says that once a horse is broke you are never to lunge it. But as I said before I believe that you should do what you find works.
May 24th, 2011 at 10:28 am
I love lunging my horses. But my new WP horse seems to build not relax on the lunge line. Do you what to do about this situation. Lunge longer or not lunge at all.
May 24th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
lungin horses is common sence there’s alot horses can learn by doin this and one is respect thats the first thing a horse needs to learn.also it’s great exercise exspecially for Q. H. but i run barrels and each horse i take time with has to be kid broke because i’m just a kid.
May 24th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I know that nobody probably wants to here it, but the Downunder Horsemanship lunging stage two has worked on every horse I have used it on. Instead of mindlessly running around in circles, the series of stops and turns and moving their feet gets their mind working in minutes instead of hours. You can use a 14′ lead/lunge line instead of 20-30 footers to get all tangled up and taking up the whole arena. Makes them work off their hind quarters and pay attention to you. I love it.
We used to stake out our horses with big cotton ropes tied to the big 4′x4′ bricks, they are heavy, but can be moved. When the horses try to move them too fast, the pointed corners did into the ground, so they have give but they can’t run with them. Be sure to school them to not be afraid of something following them on the ground first so they aren’t scared of it.
For tying, I love the Blocker tie ring, those things are awesome and work fantastic. I have found the problem with inner tubes is when the horse quits pulling, the tube is still pulling back, so no instant release of pressure. We all know the horse learns from the release of pressure, not the pressure itself, so it works fantastic and within a few days, no danger to the horse.
So my must haves is a rope halter and 14′ lead with a stick and string and my blocker tie ring. Works with spoiled horses, wild horses and trained horses.
May 24th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Narrow minded, rude, condescending, high and mighty I suppose this is where I should repeat that old saying from grade school, sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!
For those of you who tried to explain why you longe, thanks.
GWEN I don’t have a website! Bucking means ornery or playtime?? Yes, I am questioning your powers of telepathy!
ALICIA I do not make a habit of comparing children with 1000 lb creatures! And your right anyone can call themselves a professional horseman. That was the point of my question!!!! What is the required criteria for becoming an AQHA Professional Horsemen??
CHRIS why are you so angered by my questions?? And by the way I find ABSOLUTELY nothing stressful about working with horse and I damn sure don’t need a longe line to diagnose my horse. Maybe you should find another profession because it is quite obvious you have some unresolved issues! Does Napoleon ring a bell?
May 24th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I love my cowboy hat. It helps with anything. When working with a striking horse, it saves my face. When I lounge my horses I can use it to guide the horse instead of a whip, and I can get the horse used to scary things on the ground or in the saddle with it. I love it.
But how about we don’t argue here? Simply state your opinion, and leave it. And please don’t start arguments with others… It doesn’t matter if someone else does something differently. There’s more than one way to train a horse… Some horses need different things. Please don’t argue. It’s no fun to read and all I end up learning about is how arguing gets people no where but angry… I want to learn about horses, not arguing. So please don’t.
May 24th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I just wish someone would answer the ORIGINAL question?
May 24th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Q: “AQHA Professional Horsemen believe that 700 lb.tractor tires and addressing a fresh horse(?) at the end of a longe is necessary?”
A: Yes. Three AQHA Professional Horsemen were asked, and those were their individual answers to the question: “what is their most essential training tool?”.
Q: “What exactly is the required criteria for the label AQHA Professional?”
A: Criteria for the label AQHA Professional is found, in part, on the AQHA website: “AQHA, along with 4aHORSE, has assembled a group of professionals available to help you with any riding discipline or with training your American Quarter Horse. These professional men and women are screened and selected by AQHA. They represent the quality and dedication that is worthy of their profession. Each professional is required to abide by the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Code of Ethics”. I’m not a professional horseman, but my best guess is they must go through some rigorous hoops as well as have some strong achievements to be able to be selected as a member of AQHA Professional Horsemens Assoc.
May 24th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
I rarely use a longe line mainly because I rarely take my horses anywhere and I have a round pen its easier to me because theres no ropes to get in my way I can just work off of body language and voice cues
May 25th, 2011 at 9:38 am
I am just a horse woman who has owned and worked with all types of horses over the last 40 years and always use the round pen, without a lunge line for the first several sessions, to relax and focus the horses mind on me before we get to work. After ten or so times without the line, then I add it and teach the horse to work and focus on me while using the lunge line. That way I can relax, focus, and settle down the horse where ever I may be, at a show, in the pasture, before a trail ride, where ever. I find the lunge line to be a very useful, safe tool and always keep one with me in my trailer. One extra point, always use cotton lines only! Prevents burns on the handler if the horse gets alittle sqirrely and safer for the horse in case he gets caught in it.
My final thought is that for all these “Professional Horse Trainers”, I have always found that quiet, respectful trainers are always the best at what they do. They have no need to argue or condem anyone elses techniques, they prove their abilities in what they can do with a horse with only a soft voice and basic tools.
May 30th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Robin I commend you. I train professionally and never raise my voice. It would only distract and cause confussion to the animal. No one gets results with offensive spoken or body language. I have been in the breeding and training of Quality Q.Hs and Paints for over 30 years and have many satisfied owners.
I use a round pen, then lounge line with all horses. It teaches and protects. I also use a stick and string to sensitize and desensitize each horse. Each horse is evaluated and trained for the use of the owner/rider. Happy trails and shows to all. Be safe
June 1st, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Hmmm…my most useful tool(s) I would have to ask what horse am I working with, old, young, broke, or not and is it mine (as in have I owned him/her for awhile) For our horses my essentials are a deep seat, split reins, and my legs. Ours are anywhere from 5-15yrs old and we’ve started most of them ourselves, so when they do start acting as they don’t want to work…they get a quick spank, and driven up into the bit and made to work. But with babies, or young one’s (not broke, not alot of school) I agree with the round pen, then graduate to the lunge line. I would undoubtably would say though that my leg is my best tool, allows me to manuever from the saddle, manipulate them from the ground, or kick the fence when things are going wrong!
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:55 am
One essential tool: Patience.
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Cindy, Please be aware that a Professional Horseman will often be getting horses ready for their clients to ride. Some of these clients could be fairly green and would require a horse that is not too fresh. Longeing the horse would be a huge safety factor for them. So, I must agree that of ALL the training aids, the longe line is the most used.
June 3rd, 2011 at 8:53 am
I have an 18 year old mare that I started and raised we have an agreement between the two of us, the first ride or two of the year I lunge her off the end of my reins and she lets me know when she is ready to listen and work by slowing down and coming to the middle. I have ridden and started colts for lots of different trainers and the first rule is get them broke to the round pen and the lunge line. One of the reasons I like the lunge line is that it gets a horse used to ropes and other things around their legs and hips before I get on. Also a lot of people drive their horses and the lunge line is the first thing we use, we get them broke to bending and following the line. There lots of different ways to train horses but the most important thing is to use common sense.
July 27th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Cindy, the reason you got so much flak is because you were insulting to the AQHA Professionals and apparently anyone who doesn’t believe like you do. You could have given your opinion without that. And your response was even more rude. Everyone has different experiences and results. Obviously most agree that longeing or working in the round pen is a good training and safety tool. If you don’t care to use that tool, or don’t need to, then don’t, but don’t be rude to other people and their opinions. I’m sure glad I don’t know you so I won’t have to come in contact with a person with such disrespect for others.