Comments on: Right From the Start

By: TS

TS — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:10:25 +0000

Suzanne,
I think you are on the right track with the surcingle idea. That is exactly how I have started colts in the past. The best approach is always to be patient. Try rubbing, scratching and squeezing the girth area to get your horse accustomed to contact in the area. Then while you have your horse in hand, put the surcingle on and slowly tighten(without buckling) until you get a response and then back off. Over time I think you will see progress and be on your way.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:43:10 +0000

I have a TB that is just now 3 yrs old and have had since she dropped on the ground. I have done all the ground work, and desensitizing and she’s really calm with all of it. I have put a saddle on her once and she was fine with the weight and the saddle itself. The girth is a whole different story, as soon as anything is tight, she goes crazy. I have since bought a surcingle and put it on her loose, just for her to get use to something being around her. She just about torn my round pen down that time. She is nothing like my QH’s that I trained. Any suggestions? Thanks, Suzanne

By: bazil

bazil — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:28:29 +0000

i can tell you from a life time of experience having started over 500 colts myself ;bill van norman is right on the money;when it comes to starting horses time and knowledge and patience are the keys;however it is the general way of the world to want to know ;how fast can this happen and how much will it cost to make it happen;both of these answers belong in the song ;highway to hell ,.happy trails BAZIL