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By Rick Stowers
| Lesson 7 - A Horse is NOT a Puppy |
| LET'S GO RIDING TODAY!!! |
| Remember - It all starts with the HORSE! |
You can use the buttons on the menu or the links here to go to each of the
lessons. This shows the title of each:
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Check out Rick's blog on mulitply for the latest in lessons or other information.
Email Rick or fill out the form below for more information about lessons.
Check out Rick's blog on mulitply for the latest in lessons or other information.
Email Rick or fill out the form below for more information about lessons.
We all know the scene...
A child receiving a new puppy and forming a bond growing up together. Well, back
train a 2-year old horse.
All of us who are mature in our equestrian lives know that before a horse is five or so
his attention span is short at best, and possibly nonexistent on some days. Just like it
takes our children years to go through the growth process - mentally as well as
physically (some take longer mentally), our equine companions take years not
months to mature.
My student was totally horrified when I answered the question of "How long will it take
for my horse to be trained as well as the lesson horse I am riding?" with an honest 2.5
years or so.
Let's face it. Maturity comes with age and there is no magic potion to turn a two-year
old into a mature horse over night. For most humans today our "instant gratification"
concept and a young horse just doesn't make sense. Any trainer worth his salt will tell
you that you can't have a fully trained horse in less than 1,000 hours of time.
Working time, not pasture time. And how many of us want to put out that much effort.
Remember we are talking about OUR children. Is it really worth risking life and limb
just to say you started and trained the horse yourself?
There are some unscrupulous people who pass themselves off as trainers. They say
the can have your horse "broke" in 30-60-90 days. Well, let's examine the definition
of "broke."
If you ask for that definition you might not like the answer. According to Pat Parelli
in his book Natural Horsemanship. You should put only 100 hours on a three year old,
another 100 hours when he is four and then when the horse is five you can "have at
him."
Well, this is saying that you can't possibly be able to finish a horse until he is five.
This is a three year wait, if you buy a two year old. Let's consider the cost of this
endeavor.
Assume you pay nothing for the two year old horse. You need immunizations for the
horse, plus halters and tack, plus feed, plus hoof care, plus vet care for this year. At
three repeat this and add a saddle, plus time or expense to get him started (the first
100 hours) approximately 30 days of training. At four repeat this process again
remembering the saddle may not fit now or halter or tack because he is growing, and
add in the next 100 hours of training. Finally when he is five you can finish his
training (approximately 800 saddle hours) and have him trained.
Deborah and I spend approximately $200 dollars a year average on vet care per
horse. Trimming hoofs around here is about $25 per head, so at every six week trims
you are looking at $400 per year farrier care. Feed and de-worming cost us about $2
per day for $730 per year - and this assumes you do all the training yourself.
So your free horse has cost you $1330 per year for 3 years or $3990 with nothing
added for the saddle or tack. No colic episodes or other vet emergencies (which cost
premium prices), no training fee and three years to get a trained horse.
Is it worth it? That is your decision.
We hope you enjoy our philosophy and will come visit Sierra Ranch.
A child receiving a new puppy and forming a bond growing up together. Well, back
train a 2-year old horse.
All of us who are mature in our equestrian lives know that before a horse is five or so
his attention span is short at best, and possibly nonexistent on some days. Just like it
takes our children years to go through the growth process - mentally as well as
physically (some take longer mentally), our equine companions take years not
months to mature.
My student was totally horrified when I answered the question of "How long will it take
for my horse to be trained as well as the lesson horse I am riding?" with an honest 2.5
years or so.
Let's face it. Maturity comes with age and there is no magic potion to turn a two-year
old into a mature horse over night. For most humans today our "instant gratification"
concept and a young horse just doesn't make sense. Any trainer worth his salt will tell
you that you can't have a fully trained horse in less than 1,000 hours of time.
Working time, not pasture time. And how many of us want to put out that much effort.
Remember we are talking about OUR children. Is it really worth risking life and limb
just to say you started and trained the horse yourself?
There are some unscrupulous people who pass themselves off as trainers. They say
the can have your horse "broke" in 30-60-90 days. Well, let's examine the definition
of "broke."
If you ask for that definition you might not like the answer. According to Pat Parelli
in his book Natural Horsemanship. You should put only 100 hours on a three year old,
another 100 hours when he is four and then when the horse is five you can "have at
him."
Well, this is saying that you can't possibly be able to finish a horse until he is five.
This is a three year wait, if you buy a two year old. Let's consider the cost of this
endeavor.
Assume you pay nothing for the two year old horse. You need immunizations for the
horse, plus halters and tack, plus feed, plus hoof care, plus vet care for this year. At
three repeat this and add a saddle, plus time or expense to get him started (the first
100 hours) approximately 30 days of training. At four repeat this process again
remembering the saddle may not fit now or halter or tack because he is growing, and
add in the next 100 hours of training. Finally when he is five you can finish his
training (approximately 800 saddle hours) and have him trained.
Deborah and I spend approximately $200 dollars a year average on vet care per
horse. Trimming hoofs around here is about $25 per head, so at every six week trims
you are looking at $400 per year farrier care. Feed and de-worming cost us about $2
per day for $730 per year - and this assumes you do all the training yourself.
So your free horse has cost you $1330 per year for 3 years or $3990 with nothing
added for the saddle or tack. No colic episodes or other vet emergencies (which cost
premium prices), no training fee and three years to get a trained horse.
Is it worth it? That is your decision.
We hope you enjoy our philosophy and will come visit Sierra Ranch.
Wear HorseMatch.net!
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CafePress Store and buy
Visit the HorseMatch.net
CafePress Store and buy
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