This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hello list, Just a note of encouragement to all of you out there who are in the "throes" of trying to train your Fjords - with or without a trainer to help you. It CAN be done, it does work - these guys/gals ARE smart, and, yes, they CAN do anything those "other" horses can do! All it takes is someone - you or a trainer - to find the key to how they think and what works with them. Last spring we started two three-year-old geldings with the help of a friend who is a trainer. Mind you, this guy IS a local...but he IS good! What he can do with a quarter horse, paint, etc., is positively a revelation! When we started our Fjords last year he lost a lot of sleep trying to figure out how to "get through to them". They were not reacting to his method the way "regular" horses do. He finally figured out how to read them and how we should "communicate" with them, we got their heads and ours together - and then the fun began. Fjords are not: stubborn, unable to canter, clumsy all the time, unable to "turn around". Fjords are: "younger" mentally than a quarter horse (for example) of the same age, also "younger" physically, mentally willing, "thinkers", very strong physically - you don't push them around. Once you get the bare basics down with a young Fjord he then needs "time under saddle" - don't push him, let him grow up, insist on correct attitude and manners, keep him light - LET HIM GROW! Next year is coming - when it finally gets here, you will be rewarded for your patience. We certainly were! We just began seriously working with our "boys" (now four) again last week. They have grown and filled out physically a great deal over the past year. And their MINDS have grown - their attitudes have matured - there is still an occasional exuberant "buck" when first started out in the roundpen after being in a stall all night, but that's to be expected when a horse feels good (especially a four-year-old). After just a couple of days they are light on the bit, light in the sides, in a word - responsive. And with none of the silliness and jumpiness of the other breeds. Now that they have grown up to their bones and framework they can do all kinds of manuevers with never a stumble, their canters have improved greatly. They are very definitely capable of planting a hind foot and turning around it. Now we must go slowly again - teach each maneuver thoroughly and slowly so as not to put too much strain on young tendons and joints - but it will be worth it. These two horses won't be "worn out" in less than ten years, so we can afford to take the time now. They will remain sound and able into their twenties - barring unforeseen accidents - so no need to hurry now. But it is soooo hard to be patient when you see what they are capable of! Take heart. Find a trainer who truly loves ALL horses, and who loves what he does. It also helps if the trainer is willing to keep on learning and to modify his approach to fit each horse. These Fjords do not need to be coddled or catered to, they just need to be understood - plus you must be firm with them. They CAN do anything - and they will - if you learn how to work with them. Their hearts and physical ability are great. Have patience with their apparent "immaturity" - they will grow up. Our challenge now is for us as riders to gain the skills we need to advance the horses to the next level. Now THAT takes work!! The older we humans get, the harder it is to learn new tricks - especially when the old ones need to be "unlearned" first! Happy training. Mary === Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com
