TRAINING PROGRAM

The Training Program at Big View Walking Horses Farm begins the day the foal is born.  It is immediately imprinted by the careful handling of someone that loves it.  Not only does it arrive here as a bundle of love from Heaven, but the first thing it finds when it arrives is a bundle of love in return.  After daily handling (10 minutes at a time, 2 – 3 times daily) for two weeks, we then introduce it to a small halter just to get the feel.  We do not begin halter training until 6 weeks old.  We use a special halter to train the baby to know that we are its protection.  Within an hour the baby is following us around in the training area.  Over the next several weeks we get the baby accustomed to us handling its feet, giving it a bath, and just introducing it around the barn to the other animals (dogs, chickens, etc.).  I am not usually in a big hurry to wean the baby.  So, around five months I will separate it from mom.  During this time it gets a lot of petting.  (as if it hadn’t all its life). 

As a yearling, we continue to just take strolls around the house (not inside but outside) and barn (inside and outside), up and down the road to get them used to different objects.  Of course, as a Pastor they are always first to hear the Sunday sermon during the week as part of my meditative time.  They never disagree with or complain about any of the sermons. (not even if they are too long).

They continue their socialization with humans as well as other horses until they are about 3 years of age.  Some begin horses under saddle at two years of age, and I suppose that is ok.  I just prefer to start them around three.  By this time there is no fretting when introduced to the saddle and equipment.  We really introduce them to the feel of these at one year old; we just do not put weight on them until three years of age. 

We do various ground work with them before we get in the saddle.  Once in the saddle, then we begin a lot of riding: we ride about 100 miles (only a few miles at a time) in just a walk; then about 100 miles (again only a few miles at a time) in a slow walk; then 100 miles in a fast walk.  We then move into the cantor.  Our miles consist of back roads, National forests, and trails on and around our farm. 

All the training is based on a reciprocal trust.  We build and build and build and build on this.  Trust!!!

    Big View Tennessee Walking Horses - click here to return to front page.    
       
  Laurel, Mississippi
PHONE: 601-319-6177 (Cell)
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Last Updated: August 27, 2010