STARTING YOUNG HORSES

CASE STUDIES of HORSES WE HAVE STARTED

Millie – Owned by Lucy Rumbelow
Millie came to Risebridge as a three year old. She is by McGuigan (ISH Eventing sire) out of PBA mare. Lucy bred her with a view to ‘doing a bit of everything’! These series of photos show some groundwork leading up to Millie’s first ride!

Groundwork and Mouthing
“Here, I have Millie in the round pen, where I do all my work with young horses until after the second ride when they will go out into the arena and round the farm. Millie is standing whilst I put the roller on. However, note the tension in her head and neck and the way she is looking back at me.


Shortly after this photo, she stepped away from me. The following photo shows me applying pressure to her to return her to the spot where she was originally standing.


Once back in that spot I let her reflect. This process is motivating her to stand whilst she is being tacked up and understand that she has nothing to fear from it.

Before mouthing Millie through long reining, I got a bend without applying pressure to her mouth. Note the Fulmer Snaffle Bit I use – the cheek pieces avoid the bit slipping through her mouth.


The first time she has been long reined! She worked things out quickly and has a bit of sharpness about her that I like! She feels pretty soft in my hand which bodes well for her future under saddle.

The First Horse Ride!

Here I am practicing mounting Millie. I always make sure that horses are comfortable with being mounted from both sides. The ‘strange’ saddle is in fact an Australian Stock Saddle, which I use for all my starting work. It gives me a lot of ‘stickability’, which is essential when starting youngsters. If you fall off, they get a win and a taste for leaving you on the floor!

These are photos of Millie’s first ride – no bucking or rushing, in fact she was pretty nice to me! There is a little bit of ‘crankiness’ coming out in her but I expect that to go as she figures out what this strange chap is doing on her back!”

walking Millie off on her first ride	I always get a good trot and canter on each rein on the first ride.
"time to reflect on what has just happened !"