This message is from: "Ursula & Brian Jensen" <[email protected]>
After starting with Fjords in the early 80's with very little competent and qualified training resources; I am pleased to say this has changed to the positive side over the years. If you read the list and study what the Fjord resource handlers/trainers are saying, one can say we have certainly grown as a Fjord family of owners, handlers and trainers. The ultimate goal of promoting the Fjord in North America is the training of the breeder/owners and their respective Fjords in all disciplines of Riding, Driving, and Draft. The Fjord is now successfully entering open breed competitions and winning plus turning heads of other breed owners. I can say that America, Canada, and the USA owners and breeders are on a fast track to future success with the breed. Although the European Fjord countries are ahead of us by years, America has came a long way in a short time. The secret to this success is always education and hard work. At least now we have the resources internally of professional people and Fjords that can take us forward to the next challenges. There are no short cuts or special bits that can make up for appropriate education/training and work, work, work. After reading thoroughly all the good advice and comments provided on Relaxation, Suppleness, and Responsiveness for handling and training Fjords, I see one area of awareness I would like to add which has only been lightly touched. As a former Mental Health Therapist this stands out to me. The body language, abilities, behavior, and emotions of the handler trainer. I believe Fjords can most times read us better than we can read them!!! Sometimes I get or inherit Fjords for training who have not done well with their handlers or owners. In most cases after a few months I can recapture a Fjords trust and willingness to work with one on one training. Wayne Hipsley, once said about Fjords. " Who is the boss?" However the Fjord is only half the team or formula as one must also bring the owner/handler into a trusting working relationship with their Fjord. The handler is always communicating to the horse who is watching and interpreting what it sees. Another question recently raised was about using side checks or overhead checks. I have never seen them used on Fjords in Europe but they are quite prominently used in draft style hitches for Fjords especially in the Mid-West.. I see mostly side checks used, not the overhead style. There are folks who say a check stops the Fjord from bucking while driving, or eating while standing harnessed. I have seen side checks used as sparking decoration with the checks set so loose they are ineffective. In certain other equine breeds checks are a mandatory part of the harness. Sometimes one sees a horse so trussed up with checks it is uncomfortable for the horse. There equine are breeds out there who believe checks are necessary to achieve frame and collection in their horses. As a Canadian CEF Judge in Driving and Draft we were taught an observation about checks in Open Pleasure Driving Classes. These classes are Judged 70% on manners and way of going. If I have three horses tied for first place after the class I place them as follows. The horse without checks is placed first, and the horse with checks are placed following. By using checks in an Open Pleasure class you are telling the Judge you are needing something extra to achieve manners and way of going from your horse. In lieu of using checks in training a young or green Fjord, I prefer a bucking strap. One of our most prominent Trainer/Judges in Western Canada uses a bucking strap just as often as she uses a helmet. All the time. Brian Jensen Ursula and Brian Jensen Trinity Fjords Lumby BC Canada www.trinityfjords.com Please note as of 03/2011 our new email address <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]. Please update your address book. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH-L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
