How I start young horses under saddle, Days 1-10

This video shows a series of 1 minute daily clips following two horses I had in for starting under saddle in early 2021. Vermicelli, the chestnut 3yo gelding , and Kiki, the 3yo bay mare, was recently bought from the stud. Both horses have only had basic handling, and although both are destined for dressage careers, they are very different horses, as you will see!

The first 10 days of training (over two weeks, as the horses and I have weekends off!) include leading, #lunging, #longreining on the ground, and the first 5-6 rides. As soon as I feel the horse is comfortable with me on board, I get out of the round pen and out and about round the farm. All I am focused on is gaining a response to my forward cue, and for "V" and Kiki to develop confidence with a rider.

These snippets are very much "real life", and are edited to show the highs and lows of horse training... enjoy, and look out for Days 11-20 and Days 21-30!

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[sGirl]

I really enjoyed watching this video; love watching how different horses can be.

[catherinesacre]

You were very gentle with the horses. I really liked that. I have a very sensitive mare I have to be gentle with. Otherwise, there is no way to connect with her. She is very bonded with me after 2 years. It really makes a difference and takes patience.

[CarlaDuck-jusc]

Love your work and the stock saddle! Hi from Queensland Australia.

[chrissycarson]

I did this with my filly, and the first time I got on her I did it bareback and surprisingly she didn't buck at all

[jamiekinch]

Cool breakdown. KIKI is an introvert with high predator protection behavior. V, extrovert and has much less prey animal instinct. They are both beautiful horses. From cowboy culture in western Canada, it is interesting how similar the methods are. You are clearly very talented at reading and working horses. I call it "Horse Artistry" only because I suck at all other art forms and I do OK with working with horses.

[elizanne]

V is a beautiful mover and Kiki is so graceful. Hope they are doing well. Love your calm approach to starting them. Wish I still had horses to put your methods into practice.

[angeldivine]

Thank you for these videos! I have to start my youngster and they are so helpful

[rachelstewart]

It was great to see how you adapted to 2 different horses during the process. I’m backing my first youngster this year and your videos are such a great help.

[alejandroramos]

These videos are phenomenal. So much knowledge. Thank You!!

[diannegoyer]

Lovely training 😊 where does one purchase that saddle? Looks great for starting colts

[wagnersfarm]

Love It! you understand each horse's needs. When I start, I add a couple of more things to it and I take days not hours :)

[Lizalotte]

Kiki is a stunning animal, would love to see her now.

[ingeborgrahbekpedersen]

Thank you so much for sharing your videos. You do so well, it makes me really happy to look at your work and great respect for the horses.
Really good.
Sincerely, Ingeborg from Jutland / Denmark

[qhride]

i have started my own horses all have been mares do you find they are more sensitive than geldings? that chestnut is super lovely 😍