While the focus of this blog is my goal for thoroughbred makeover competition in October, that is not the reason Mark and Ann hired me to train the horses. In my first session with Mark and Ann I asked them for their individual goals. They both expressed that they want to get more comfortable working with the horses. Mark wants to ride someday, but Ann doesn’t think her back will tolerate it.
I asked about the goals for their horses. They stated that they want their horses to be happy. That means that I need to train the horses to do a job. Mark and Ann aren’t picky about what job that is, they want me to explore their horses’aptitudes.
This all sounds like a lot of fun! These ex-racehorses have to be among the luckiest ones in the country to have owners that are willing to do this for them. Seriously, Blue and Corny have won the lottery.
My job is to make sure they remain in good graces with their owners. That means impeccable ground manners on the horses, and good unmounted instruction for the humans. Luckily the brothers are pretty well behaved already, and the humans are good students.
4 year old Corny waiting with 7 year old Talia for his dental appointment… These horses have exceptional temperaments.
After they took the first week to settle, learn to cross tie, and wear boots, we got to work. After the first month in training Ann and Mark can now do the following things with their own horses:
- Halter
- Lead
- Crosstie
- Groom/clean feet
- Turnout/bring in
- Apply/remove boots
- Blanket/unblanket
Blue out for a walk around the property with his owner, Mark
Ann and Mark have made great strides in their unmounted techniques this month. In my next entry I will start talking more about the training I have been doing with the horses.