Barry I couldn't agree with you more!!🥰 People use painful bits because their horse is not trained or the owner doesnt have a clue!! Pain & release, you hit the nail on the head👍🏻
She is a lot of horse. Her confidence is wonderful. She trusts you, and you can trust her to mind you. She is so easy going and relaxed in her body, unfazed by really hideous traffic. ❤ I'm a road cyclist, and where you are driving I would not be as confident in that traffic as Lilly. Masterful training.
I love watching all of your videos and I learn from them. You’re methods make so much sense to me. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and beliefs. I’m getting on in years and don’t have the strength and stamina that I once did, so I have miniatures now. Not the fancy ones, the affordable ones. 😂 Being retired now gives me the time to pursue my dreams. Training and driving horses is one of them. Woohoo! ❤
Just in the beginning of her fourth year, Lilly is already looking like she is really enjoying the work she does. She is energetic, happy and obedient and is just the kind of horse I'd like to take for a drive! I love seeing her going without blinkers and a sharp bit. I remember when everyone would insist that a horse was only safe if they were fitted with blinkers. It is good to see Lily working in heavy traffic on a narrow road. She trusts your judgement and works confidently even when she is being passed by large, clattering trucks. As I child in the mid 1900s I spent many hours watching teams of horses at "The Experimental Farms" in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Many of their teams were hard working Clydesdales and farmers (and children) were welcome to visit the farm In the middle of Canada's capital city to watch and learn good animal husbandry and the proper handling of farm animals. Over the years I began to understand that what I had learned at "The Experimental Farm" was some of the best education I ever received.
Great to watch, Lovely to Listen to,,, This is, Common-Sense Handling and Working With the Horse, ~ not Forcing with Pain and /or Bullying!! Beautifully Done,, Please Keep these Videos Coming, Theres a Wealth of Information in These!! Thank you, muchly Appreciated!!
Nice,I've gone to all rubber bits now doing well. Like to go with out blinkers.but do I trust my self?thanks for your videos on TH-cam. Love them. Been training all my life,you've open my world to whole different way of looking at things. Oh yeah I'm 80 yr.old.so been around,I build saddles,pack equipment.Now handling harnesses. Thanks agian.Driving 6 head, different hitched. Raised all of them out of my own stock. 1/2 draft 1/2Q H
Thank you for sharing your experience. I do like the open bridle, I believe it's the smart move, it certainly doesn't hurt. I also enjoy your diplomacy. Makes me smile. You are giving the world and those that are really paying attention such a gift of your knowledge. I'm one of the privileged that have been instructed by a, I'll say mature Whip. I love the history of especially of fine harness. My grandfather farmed with horses, until he could afford a tractor. Anyway appreciate you and your work. When I want to relax I watch you on your channel. For a few reasons right now in my life I don't have access to driving. I can close my eyes. Thank you, it makes me smile. And always learning. Forward motion
Love your video. Thank you for saying horses should wait until their third birthday to train. Here, in America, it seems to be standard to start them as two year olds. I am no horse trainer but I have never liked this. They are not fully grown. But in talking to trainers, its mostly about the money and the show/cutting circuits. They start them and they do good, they sale for a higher price. But they also.break down by the time they are 10yrs old.
Cutting is very hard on any horse but a baby? Gah. I’m working with a herd of stud colts right now - they’re wild and most under 3 yrs. I wouldn’t dream of putting someone on them but basic manners and getting use to tack on and off, trailering and experience, that’s the sort of training a baby can handle.
Couldnt agree more! Look at Santa Anita as a perfect example 😓💔 Another one was put down a few weeks ago, disgusting & appalling. They need to close it
I would love to see an early training video of how you handle horses when they first start and they spook a bit. I've only had one spook while hitched, it wasn't bad just a few quick steps, but I would love to hear your attitude and how you handle helping them past what spooked them. I love your videos, they are so inspiring!
Lily is a credit to your training methods, as are all the horses who pass through your hands. Rhi is doing a brilliant job of filming. I agree that your pupils could go up against anything in the country, including Police horses, and come out way ahead. You started saying about Lily being a little 'bullish' when she came but then you got distracted. I can understand why you get distracted trying to concentrate on so much at the same time. But it would be great to hear the rest of the story. Love the humour that creeps in too.
love listening to your videos when after a long stressful day - play them on the radio while the commute home. just something so nice. I love your philosophy on bits. Why make an animal uncomfortable when unnecessary?? even when someone does not have a rubber bit available, you can still get a comfortable bit, that does not pinch the corners of the lips, that does not pinch or even rest sharply on the bars. one can also have a curb chain loose so that it doesnt have continuous pressure. I see people who are supposed to be so kind to animals with the heaviest hands. it is so unnecessary. one can have contact with the horse's mouth without hanging on and yanking on their mouth - anything causing pain instead communicating doesnt build the trust and confidence these dear animals need. Just appreciate so much what you are doing.
Again, such a wonderful wealth of knowledge you share Barry. I do so love they way you communicate to your horses and to us all. You feel like a friend from a time gone by. I love these videos which inspire and transport me back to my homeland of Essex. I do wonder if you have a video of the ground work you do before putting the horse too, as I'm about to work my 20year old mare, Lovely, (by name and nature) at this stage to see if she'll take to harness driving. Do you think she is too old? She was a beautiful 3DEventer in her prime, before I bought her but has done only a little trail riding since then.
Hi Caroline, we do not do a step-by-step guide as for every horse it varies and what works for one horse may be the exact opposite another horse needs! However, there are a few groundwork videos on our channel that may be of use to you. So long as a horse is fit and healthy (having been active earlier in life as your mare was certainly helps as they have a base of muscle to work on) and comfortable to participate, there is no upper age limit to training! Barry trained a retired 17 year old point to point horse for a lady who could no longer ride him due to her own arthritis and last we heard he is still taking her to the shops every week!
With the Standardbreds, I try all of them in a blind and an open bridle and let them tell me which works better for them. Sometimes what they prefer "goes against the book", but there you are. I leave it up to them. P.S., she has quite the trot! Jogging her would be fun! 😄
Shame there’s not more horses pulling carriages;think of the cut in pollution instead exhaust fumes. I’ve just bought a rubber bit for my horse...so much softer . I think a blinkerless horse,would be even better trained and bomb proofed against most distractions tbh. Just wondered if you’ve ever been in a scary situation driving,that actually shook u up.? Nice to watch your expertise again Barry n Rhi.
I find the different ways people pass you, aggressive with little space to slow and wide very interesting. I get a lot of pressure to bit my young horse and I appreciate the support from a horseman such as you to keep the mouth protected. i would love to know what you feed generally speaking for these draft horses that are in work, is it a focus on vitamin/mineral?
I have always loved your style of training. I know you used leather bits on horses in your younger years. Well, these bits are coming back and readily available to purchase compared to soft rubber bits. I was wondering what your opinion is on them? Would you do a video on this?
Always a pleasure Barry! Would you say its easier to train, or keep trained, a horse with blinkers? Or would you say a horse without blinkers would be more road safe with the proper training?
I hope you dont mind me answering, on Barrys behalf,,, ~I think his preference is Without Blinkers!! However, as he is training these horses for other folks, who prefer Blinkers,, thats what he does. Its well worth rewatching and listening,~because, youll pick up the way that he prefers!! Best Wishes & Kindest Regards, Andrea and Critters. ...XxX...
I love all your videos but even more so heavy horses 😍 PLEASE can you show your light set up on the back of the carriage? Thank You for doing these videos.
Barry, a comment a trainer made about sound level being so high that they had to revert to touch as the communication made me wonder if you have ever trained a horse for a situation where a person is deaf, etc.
So, I’ve been watching lots of training videos on harness and carts. I getting ready to attempt to train donkeys to pull a cart. They are my neighbors and he doesn’t want to spend the money to have they’re wolf teeth removed. So have you ever trained with a mechanical hackamore? Any advice
Barry you always say " Any fool can get an 'orse between the shafts..." ; Implying that that's just the tip of the ice-Berg. Well, I must be a bloody fool, because that's exactly what I'm struggling with with a 3 yr old gelding of mine. Specifically, how can you work up safely to that point where you physically connect the horse to something via the traces, and be sure that it wont end in disaster if it bolts of and you lose control of it? Does it largely depend on having a securely fenced area to start in? Or a wide open space to run safely if it should run? Maybe you could do a video on this Initial, but important, stage. I would much appreciate it. Cheers
No, not for our way of thinking. If a curb chain is required to prevent over-rotation of the bit, then you are using a stronger bit setting than we believe should be necessary. When Barry had a team of Friesians he used for funerals, they wore rubber Liverpool bits for 'look' and these had curb chains fitted but were never brought into affect as they were driven on the smooth cheek setting - the mildest and most similar to a snaffle. One of our schoolmasters also wears one of these rubber Liverpool bits - the bit part is just as flexible as our standard rubber bits, it just has Liverpool 'style' cheekpieces. For him it is because he has an allergy to bit guards but we do not want him to pinch his lips either. His bit is fitted with a curb chain but again it is not used.
Over the years I have thought long and hard about the blinker thing. I came to a conclusion that a lot of its use historically could have been a time taken in training, issue. To break a horse to harness in a blinkered bridle could have meant not having to spend so much time in preparation, perhaps? The quicker you could get your commodity (the horse) on the road and earning its living, the better. By blocking much of its sight, you are eliminating much of the need to accustom the horse to the life going on around and behind it. In effect, a short cut, means to an end. Just a thought. I would like to discuss elimination. I noticed the mare pooped in town. Barry stopped her, then walked her on afterwards. Was this for a reason? Do the locals prefer it in a pile? Do you ever have to clean it up in town? What are your by-laws regarding this? Have you ever trained a horse to a manure bag, if so, how do you go about it and what design is best? Can you trot and canter with a catcher bag? Thanks.
I had an Arabian that panicked with blinkers, she also went perfectly well in a hackamore, that was her driving bridle. Some horses will look everywhere and not concentrate, not being spooky or ignoring just generally curious and blinders help. Combined driving horses in pairs or team need the blinders so the whip can be used on a specific horse without the others reacting to seeing the whip. I too am curious about the poo. I bet it gets picked up off camera because you never see poo on the streets in any of the videos.
Sometimes the best thing for the horse is to be broken in as a pair and then put single, sometimes single first and then put into a pair or team. We like to make sure horses we train will go anywhere in any combination - i.e. pair both sides of the pole, anywhere in a four in hand (wheel or lead, near or offside), unicorn (2 wheelers, 1 leader), trandem (3 abreast) etc. Some horses prefer to drive in a pair or team, some prefer being on their own. Most horses that drive single will drive in a pair - problems arise when the horses are ill-matched or don't get on!
I have a question for you... I don't drive but you still might be able to help. My horse does not like hacking out alone in the roads. He will refuse to go forward, try and turn around and walk backwards all in an attempt to avoid going out. He is perfectly behaved with another horse and is not bothered by traffic, tractors, lorries, bikes, you name it, but will spook at a bird flying out of the bushes. All only when on his own. How do I get him more confident going out on his own without losing my own confidence
I am no professional, but I had a mare like that. Sweetest horse when with a friend but very spooky and hot when single, specifically on the roads. She was fine in the mountians by herself. Really what it is is a confidence issue (or it was for her). For my mare we did like a month of just her and me walking the roads in her halter, then once she was going well with that I added her saddle, then once comfortable I added her bridle, then I had a friend sit atop and hold the reins but I still had her halter walking next to her and we did that until she was completely relaxed. Then I just walked next to her, then I rode her! I spent a long time just helping her understand and gain confidence that she was ok to go by herself and she actually did know how to handle herself by herself on the roads. I haven't had an issue since! I don't know if that helps, but I figured I would add what I had tried:) good luck!
@@autymnweaver2151 thank you for that. I'm a little bit nervous to try walking on the road with him in hand as I'd be worried he'd spook in hand and get away from me (although he is usually very good on the lead rope) but maybe I'll jump down and give it a try if he is spooking at something and refuses to go past
If you care for them properly and condition them correctly, horses can work safely on any surface. We do not take horse under 3 years of age due to their joints not being ready for the workload and encourage owners to undertake lighter work with youngsters or turn them away and bring them back into work in their fourth year. You might be interested to know that Barry's horse Roly worked driving on the roads for 23 years with no joint problems at all. We care about our horses a lot. If you don't like the idea of horses being driven on the roads, this probably isn't the channel for you.
Barry I couldn't agree with you more!!🥰 People use painful bits because their horse is not trained or the owner doesnt have a clue!! Pain & release, you hit the nail on the head👍🏻
I think they're frightened of their own horses and think a harsh metal bit will stop and control them.
She is a lot of horse. Her confidence is wonderful. She trusts you, and you can trust her to mind you. She is so easy going and relaxed in her body, unfazed by really hideous traffic. ❤ I'm a road cyclist, and where you are driving I would not be as confident in that traffic as Lilly. Masterful training.
I love watching all of your videos and I learn from them. You’re methods make so much sense to me. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and beliefs. I’m getting on in years and don’t have the strength and stamina that I once did, so I have miniatures now. Not the fancy ones, the affordable ones. 😂 Being retired now gives me the time to pursue my dreams. Training and driving horses is one of them. Woohoo! ❤
Just in the beginning of her fourth year, Lilly is already looking like she is really enjoying the work she does. She is energetic, happy and obedient and is just the kind of horse I'd like to take for a drive! I love seeing her going without blinkers and a sharp bit. I remember when everyone would insist that a horse was only safe if they were fitted with blinkers. It is good to see Lily working in heavy traffic on a narrow road. She trusts your judgement and works confidently even when she is being passed by large, clattering trucks.
As I child in the mid 1900s I spent many hours watching teams of horses at "The Experimental Farms" in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Many of their teams were hard working Clydesdales and farmers (and children) were welcome to visit the farm In the middle of Canada's capital city to watch and learn good animal husbandry and the proper handling of farm animals. Over the years I began to understand that what I had learned at "The Experimental Farm" was some of the best education I ever received.
Great to watch, Lovely to Listen to,,,
This is, Common-Sense Handling and Working With the Horse,
~ not Forcing with Pain and /or Bullying!!
Beautifully Done,, Please Keep these Videos Coming, Theres a Wealth of Information in These!!
Thank you, muchly Appreciated!!
Loved this, will look at more of your videos, too old to ride now but do I miss it, rode bit less no problem.
I wish more people would!
Shires and Clydesdale horses are something special. A clydie was the first horse that I ever sat on. I fell in love
You are amazing person. I just live how you train. You care so much for the horses. Thank you.
Nice,I've gone to all rubber bits now doing well. Like to go with out blinkers.but do I trust my self?thanks for your videos on TH-cam. Love them. Been training all my life,you've open my world to whole different way of looking at things. Oh yeah I'm 80 yr.old.so been around,I build saddles,pack equipment.Now handling harnesses. Thanks agian.Driving 6 head, different hitched. Raised all of them out of my own stock. 1/2 draft 1/2Q H
Really enjoy the video’s thanks guys.Thats it you sit behind them no nagging but clear instruction 🤠
Thank you for sharing your experience. I do like the open bridle, I believe it's the smart move, it certainly doesn't hurt.
I also enjoy your diplomacy. Makes me smile.
You are giving the world and those that are really paying attention such a gift of your knowledge.
I'm one of the privileged that have been instructed by a, I'll say mature Whip. I love the history of especially of fine harness. My grandfather farmed with horses, until he could afford a tractor.
Anyway appreciate you and your work.
When I want to relax I watch you on your channel. For a few reasons right now in my life I don't have access to driving. I can close my eyes.
Thank you, it makes me smile. And always learning.
Forward motion
What's a open bridle does it have a bit and blinkers
Love your video. Thank you for saying horses should wait until their third birthday to train. Here, in America, it seems to be standard to start them as two year olds. I am no horse trainer but I have never liked this. They are not fully grown. But in talking to trainers, its mostly about the money and the show/cutting circuits. They start them and they do good, they sale for a higher price. But they also.break down by the time they are 10yrs old.
Cutting is very hard on any horse but a baby? Gah. I’m working with a herd of stud colts right now - they’re wild and most under 3 yrs. I wouldn’t dream of putting someone on them but basic manners and getting use to tack on and off, trailering and experience, that’s the sort of training a baby can handle.
Couldnt agree more! Look at Santa Anita as a perfect example 😓💔 Another one was put down a few weeks ago, disgusting & appalling. They need to close it
Your way of horse training realy inspired my dog trainjng technics...
I would love to see an early training video of how you handle horses when they first start and they spook a bit. I've only had one spook while hitched, it wasn't bad just a few quick steps, but I would love to hear your attitude and how you handle helping them past what spooked them. I love your videos, they are so inspiring!
I am delighted that you are showing driving in an open bridle.
Lovely stop from that long loloping canter. Go team
Lily is a credit to your training methods, as are all the horses who pass through your hands. Rhi is doing a brilliant job of filming. I agree that your pupils could go up against anything in the country, including Police horses, and come out way ahead. You started saying about Lily being a little 'bullish' when she came but then you got distracted. I can understand why you get distracted trying to concentrate on so much at the same time. But it would be great to hear the rest of the story. Love the humour that creeps in too.
Thank you ! I enjoy this kind of videos the most !
Barry is talking to camera at 18:45 about the trot and Lilly goes into a trot until she realises Barry was not talking to her!
Yes, it seems as though she listening to every word. ❤
love listening to your videos when after a long stressful day - play them on the radio while the commute home. just something so nice. I love your philosophy on bits. Why make an animal uncomfortable when unnecessary?? even when someone does not have a rubber bit available, you can still get a comfortable bit, that does not pinch the corners of the lips, that does not pinch or even rest sharply on the bars. one can also have a curb chain loose so that it doesnt have continuous pressure. I see people who are supposed to be so kind to animals with the heaviest hands. it is so unnecessary. one can have contact with the horse's mouth without hanging on and yanking on their mouth - anything causing pain instead communicating doesnt build the trust and confidence these dear animals need. Just appreciate so much what you are doing.
Again, such a wonderful wealth of knowledge you share Barry. I do so love they way you communicate to your horses and to us all. You feel like a friend from a time gone by. I love these videos which inspire and transport me back to my homeland of Essex. I do wonder if you have a video of the ground work you do before putting the horse too, as I'm about to work my 20year old mare, Lovely, (by name and nature) at this stage to see if she'll take to harness driving. Do you think she is too old? She was a beautiful 3DEventer in her prime, before I bought her but has done only a little trail riding since then.
Hi Caroline, we do not do a step-by-step guide as for every horse it varies and what works for one horse may be the exact opposite another horse needs! However, there are a few groundwork videos on our channel that may be of use to you. So long as a horse is fit and healthy (having been active earlier in life as your mare was certainly helps as they have a base of muscle to work on) and comfortable to participate, there is no upper age limit to training! Barry trained a retired 17 year old point to point horse for a lady who could no longer ride him due to her own arthritis and last we heard he is still taking her to the shops every week!
I hope the art of driving never ever fades. It's a very romantic thing.
It's old school isn't it
With the Standardbreds, I try all of them in a blind and an open bridle and let them tell me which works better for them. Sometimes what they prefer "goes against the book", but there you are. I leave it up to them.
P.S., she has quite the trot! Jogging her would be fun! 😄
Oh here she is 😍
Shame there’s not more horses pulling carriages;think of the cut in pollution instead exhaust fumes.
I’ve just bought a rubber bit for my horse...so much softer .
I think a blinkerless horse,would be even better trained and bomb proofed against most distractions tbh.
Just wondered if you’ve ever been in a scary situation driving,that actually shook u up.?
Nice to watch your expertise again Barry n Rhi.
susan brown im 12 and have 8 driving horses 😂
@@amietoohey5164 that's awesome
I find the different ways people pass you, aggressive with little space to slow and wide very interesting. I get a lot of pressure to bit my young horse and I appreciate the support from a horseman such as you to keep the mouth protected. i would love to know what you feed generally speaking for these draft horses that are in work, is it a focus on vitamin/mineral?
Good for you going bitless!!
I have always loved your style of training. I know you used leather bits on horses in your younger years. Well, these bits are coming back and readily available to purchase compared to soft rubber bits. I was wondering what your opinion is on them? Would you do a video on this?
Would you give us some tools, techniques, thoughts about teaching the horse to go in a rubber bit?
Thanks for all you do
Always a pleasure Barry! Would you say its easier to train, or keep trained, a horse with blinkers? Or would you say a horse without blinkers would be more road safe with the proper training?
I hope you dont mind me answering, on Barrys behalf,,,
~I think his preference is Without Blinkers!!
However, as he is training these horses for other folks, who prefer Blinkers,, thats what he does.
Its well worth rewatching and listening,~because, youll pick up the way that he prefers!!
Best Wishes & Kindest Regards,
Andrea and Critters. ...XxX...
I love all your videos but even more so heavy horses 😍
PLEASE can you show your light set up on the back of the carriage?
Thank You for doing these videos.
Will try to remember to do that for you!
Barry, a comment a trainer made about sound level being so high that they had to revert to touch as the communication made me wonder if you have ever trained a horse for a situation where a person is deaf, etc.
lilly the horse is such a good girl
Always enjoy your videos. Just curious, when this film was made how much training time did Lilly have?
So, I’ve been watching lots of training videos on harness and carts. I getting ready to attempt to train donkeys to pull a cart. They are my neighbors and he doesn’t want to spend the money to have they’re wolf teeth removed. So have you ever trained with a mechanical hackamore?
Any advice
Barry you always say " Any fool can get an 'orse between the shafts..." ; Implying that that's just the tip of the ice-Berg. Well, I must be a bloody fool, because that's exactly what I'm struggling with with a 3 yr old gelding of mine. Specifically, how can you work up safely to that point where you physically connect the horse to something via the traces, and be sure that it wont end in disaster if it bolts of and you lose control of it? Does it largely depend on having a securely fenced area to start in? Or a wide open space to run safely if it should run? Maybe you could do a video on this Initial, but important, stage. I would much appreciate it. Cheers
Is there any time at all when you would use a curb bit on a driving horse, ANY SITUATION AT ALL?
No, not for our way of thinking. If a curb chain is required to prevent over-rotation of the bit, then you are using a stronger bit setting than we believe should be necessary. When Barry had a team of Friesians he used for funerals, they wore rubber Liverpool bits for 'look' and these had curb chains fitted but were never brought into affect as they were driven on the smooth cheek setting - the mildest and most similar to a snaffle. One of our schoolmasters also wears one of these rubber Liverpool bits - the bit part is just as flexible as our standard rubber bits, it just has Liverpool 'style' cheekpieces. For him it is because he has an allergy to bit guards but we do not want him to pinch his lips either. His bit is fitted with a curb chain but again it is not used.
me gusta yo tambien hago lo mismo soy de argentina
toddo muy lindo
Over the years I have thought long and hard about the blinker thing. I came to a conclusion that a lot of its use historically could have been a time taken in training, issue. To break a horse to harness in a blinkered bridle could have meant not having to spend so much time in preparation, perhaps? The quicker you could get your commodity (the horse) on the road and earning its living, the better. By blocking much of its sight, you are eliminating much of the need to accustom the horse to the life going on around and behind it. In effect, a short cut, means to an end. Just a thought.
I would like to discuss elimination. I noticed the mare pooped in town. Barry stopped her, then walked her on afterwards. Was this for a reason? Do the locals prefer it in a pile? Do you ever have to clean it up in town? What are your by-laws regarding this? Have you ever trained a horse to a manure bag, if so, how do you go about it and what design is best? Can you trot and canter with a catcher bag? Thanks.
I had an Arabian that panicked with blinkers, she also went perfectly well in a hackamore, that was her driving bridle. Some horses will look everywhere and not concentrate, not being spooky or ignoring just generally curious and blinders help. Combined driving horses in pairs or team need the blinders so the whip can be used on a specific horse without the others reacting to seeing the whip. I too am curious about the poo. I bet it gets picked up off camera because you never see poo on the streets in any of the videos.
Can u break to ride and drive at same time?
So long as the horse is capable of tackling both jobs at once mentally, yes that is exactly what we do.
if you break a horse to harness, will it go in a pair or does it need extra training?
Sometimes the best thing for the horse is to be broken in as a pair and then put single, sometimes single first and then put into a pair or team. We like to make sure horses we train will go anywhere in any combination - i.e. pair both sides of the pole, anywhere in a four in hand (wheel or lead, near or offside), unicorn (2 wheelers, 1 leader), trandem (3 abreast) etc. Some horses prefer to drive in a pair or team, some prefer being on their own. Most horses that drive single will drive in a pair - problems arise when the horses are ill-matched or don't get on!
Which place is this??
Stockbridge, Hampshire, UK
@@barryhook2 hey im from india..im horseman..cN u share me your Facebook id or whatsapp number?
Sure, search for Horse Drawn Promotions on Facebook.
I have a question for you... I don't drive but you still might be able to help. My horse does not like hacking out alone in the roads. He will refuse to go forward, try and turn around and walk backwards all in an attempt to avoid going out. He is perfectly behaved with another horse and is not bothered by traffic, tractors, lorries, bikes, you name it, but will spook at a bird flying out of the bushes. All only when on his own. How do I get him more confident going out on his own without losing my own confidence
I am no professional, but I had a mare like that. Sweetest horse when with a friend but very spooky and hot when single, specifically on the roads. She was fine in the mountians by herself. Really what it is is a confidence issue (or it was for her). For my mare we did like a month of just her and me walking the roads in her halter, then once she was going well with that I added her saddle, then once comfortable I added her bridle, then I had a friend sit atop and hold the reins but I still had her halter walking next to her and we did that until she was completely relaxed. Then I just walked next to her, then I rode her! I spent a long time just helping her understand and gain confidence that she was ok to go by herself and she actually did know how to handle herself by herself on the roads. I haven't had an issue since! I don't know if that helps, but I figured I would add what I had tried:) good luck!
@@autymnweaver2151 thank you for that. I'm a little bit nervous to try walking on the road with him in hand as I'd be worried he'd spook in hand and get away from me (although he is usually very good on the lead rope) but maybe I'll jump down and give it a try if he is spooking at something and refuses to go past
I don't know why people think a harsh bit will stop a horse that really wants to go so don't do it!
That hard surface is tough on their legs and ankles. Sad to treat a horse like this.
If you care for them properly and condition them correctly, horses can work safely on any surface. We do not take horse under 3 years of age due to their joints not being ready for the workload and encourage owners to undertake lighter work with youngsters or turn them away and bring them back into work in their fourth year. You might be interested to know that Barry's horse Roly worked driving on the roads for 23 years with no joint problems at all. We care about our horses a lot. If you don't like the idea of horses being driven on the roads, this probably isn't the channel for you.
Surface is no harder than hard ground in the height of a lot of different countries summers and people jump on that. No harder than wet sand.
🙄