First Time Saddling and Cinching - she was soooo sensitive!

The first time cinching up does not have to be traumatic for a young horse - not even if the horse is very sensitive and touchy by nature.
Haylee was such a cute and fun little girl but also very touchy and some would call it, pissy mare.
If we do things WITH the horse instead of TO the horse, then even such a horse can say yes to first time cinching up.
If you want to see the full process of preparing a young horse for its start under saddle and then the first few rides done in a positive way WITH the horse, you might be interested in my monthly subscription Operation Dream Horse.
Doors are closed right now as we are working hard to major upgrades on the ODH members platform. But you can sign up to the waitlist so that I can inform you first thing when we open doors again in a few weeks: my.operationdr...

[@RedHybiscus]

If she was reacting then common sense is to end at a good spot where things end amicably- forcing what you want on that young horse is everything I am against - that is “breaking” a horse which is short for breaking a horse’s spirit- in other words losing themselves and forced into compliance

[@gabineurohr]

I am so on the same page as you. Sadly this isn't common sense to many. It freaks me out how ignorant people still are when saddling a horse for the first time, sending youngsters into a full blown panic mode. I really wish those people would have a bit more sensitivity and patience

[@RedHybiscus]

@@gabineurohr - the trainer disregarding the horses feelings in favor of what what the trainer wanted. Why? Clearly for no other reason than that was what she wanted. There is no reason to saddle that horse - none - people need the training- not the horse