The Value of Ponying Young Horses

I have been ponying horses for a number of years now, on a regular basis, and am absolutely convinced of its value and efficacy with young horses as well as older trained riding horses. There are many great benefits which give reason to implement ponying into your riding regimen that go beyond training the young …

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Aligarh’s First Ride

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new chapter in Aligarh’s education. I had the opportunity to sit on his back for the first time, and I am happy to report that all went off without a hitch and left me grinning from ear to ear. Pictures at the bottom! Let’s start with the approach – …

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(VIDEO UPDATE) Underestimating the Value of Leading

By and large equestrians of all disciplines and sports tend to view leading in a rather two-dimensional fashion. That is, leading is used in order to transport the horse from point A to point B but otherwise has little effect on the training of the horse. This is a real shame because the manner in …

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Saddling Aligarh

For some reason I want to say that I’ve saddled Aligarh before, but then when I really take the time to think about it that is not correct. Of course I didn’t sit down to really think about it until AFTER I had gone ahead and saddled him up today to be worked… This update …

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Aligarh & The Update

Previously on Project Horse, we’ve been working on the basics of lunging with Aligarh. It amazes me in trying to create a recap, just how far we have come along in a short period of time and with so few sessions together. Today marked our first venture into the riding arena to both groom and …

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Laying the Foundation – Bridle Work

Aligarh has had a chance to enjoy a few days sabbatical from longe work and today I decided was the day to reintroduce him to the bridle. He’s worn one before but never educated in what the bit is for. Not only is it time for it, but it will help out with the longing …

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Leading Aligarh to Success

I actually enjoy going on walks , and it is a wonderful part of the training process to undertake when the weather is blisteringly hot and humid, like it has been here in the Midwest. To my delight, this is exactly what I am in the process of working with Aligarh on in his training. …

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The Importance of Formalities

I know I have written about this idea previously though I’m not sure I’ve had a post dedicated to it. There is a certain quality inherent to working with the horse in a very business-like fashion that is priceless. Particularly when you are training the unconventional horse; the horse who is older and being started …

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A Beginning Point

Project Horse #2 – welcome to the introduction. Aligarh is quite the lovely gelding, both in appearance and personality. Foaled in 2004, he is sired by the Dutch Warmblood stallion VDL Orame, who has been successfully competing on the international scene in Show Jumping. Aligarh’s dam is a Bashkir Curly mare of Native American bloodlines. …

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Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!

It’s official, she’s adopted the new barn name “Kitty.” Somehow it makes me think of “That 70′s Show” and the quirky personality of the mom character. At the same time I can’t help but see a curiosity in her that just screams cat-like. And if I’m feeling in a Western mood I can always refer …

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Project Horse is a series devoted to the training/retraining of individual horses. The original “Project Thoroughbred” followed the retraining of a retired racehorse mare during 2010-2011. Our current project horse is a minimally handled, yet tame, 7 year old Warmblood cross gelding.

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