| While reading Gabriele Rachen and Klaus Schoneich's | | | | need to be understanding when the trainer tells them it |
| book Straightening The Crooked Horse I am once | | | | may take three to six weeks to get their horse on |
| again reminded of the harm that can be done on a | | | | track as opposed to those claiming to be able to turn |
| horse by pushing it too hard too fast mentally or | | | | any horse around in three to six days. It is good for a |
| physically. We are teaching the horse concepts that it | | | | trainer to push their skills for an early deadline, but not |
| will use to interact with humans for the rest of its life, | | | | at the horses expense. Some training issues are also |
| so why the hurry? | | | | physical issues meaning that muscles need to be |
| Many disciplines have become too focused on how | | | | stretched, built and strengthened. In the end, the horse |
| soon a horse can start competing so it can earn | | | | needs to be the winner, not the trainer. |
| money and points. Some of these same horses break | | | | And while a talented trainer could get so good at what |
| down and are no longer competing before the prime | | | | they do as to be able to turn a horse around in a |
| of their life. This is where the Western and Eastern | | | | fraction of the time, when the horse goes home will |
| philosophies collide. A good dressage trainer will take | | | | the training be solid enough that the owner can |
| as many years as the horse needs to prepare it for | | | | continue with the horse on that same path. Yes, the |
| competition. It is not uncommon for a horse to be just | | | | horse learns how to be more responsive to a |
| starting its career when many western horses are | | | | professional rider, but does the owner learn how to |
| ending theirs. These same dressage horses go on to | | | | ride their new horse in this same short time? It takes |
| compete and continue to improve well into their teens | | | | thousands of consistent repetitions for both horse and |
| and some into their early 20's. | | | | rider to unlearn old habits as well as learn new habits |
| I have to applaud those Western disciplines that have | | | | that will keep them both on the right track. |
| done their best to steer away from the usual | | | | So while I applaud those who are incredibly proficient in |
| approach and actually encourage trainers to slow | | | | their field, I caution us all to be willing and able to allow |
| down. By extending futurities to the six year olds, the | | | | the time for those people and horses that may need |
| reining discipline has taken this important step in slowing | | | | extra time to become solid both mentally and/or |
| the push to start a horse's career too early. If we | | | | physically and able to handle all we will be asking during |
| would all be more anxious to prolong our horses | | | | our time together. If we take the time now to put in the |
| careers instead of increasing our earnings, we may | | | | strongest possible foundation, we will be deeply |
| find we have partners that stay sound physically and | | | | rewarded with a strong and long lasting partnership |
| mentally for a much longer and more rewarding life. | | | | with our horse, physically as well as mentally. |
| In like mind, owners of horses that are put in training, | | | | |