Balking is one of the most aggravating habits that a horse can have. You’re ready to go but the horse is not and probably will not be for a while. This is a challenging part of horse training.
Even though our lives progressively moves forward on occasion it has a way of working what seems to be in a backwards motion, yet in the end achieves the same results. I remember years ago when I started my bodybuilding career, I had no self- confidence, poor self-esteem, and an introverted personality. I couldn’t fathom doing what others believed I could accomplish in such an unusual sport that went totally against my nature. However, at first I thought, “I didn’t want to let them down and what if they’re right? What if I could accomplish something if I set my mind to it, I asked? What if by believing in something bigger than myself would allow me to be a better person, develop confidence and be more outgoing?” Then over a period of time the belief others had started to rub off in me, combined with my work ethic the rest became history.
Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name Jesse Beery. Beery was an enormously famous horse trainer from the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
He learned to train horses at a very young age. It was clear he had a gift for horse training and made it his life’s work.
Among the almost countless things Beery could do with a horse, he taught them tricks. One of the most amazing tricks he taught was teaching a horse to drive without lines. (In layman’s terms, you have no long reins (known as lines) connected to the horse. The only connection to the horse is the buggy hitched to the horse) This trick almost defies belief!
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If you have a passion to learn all you can about horse training, then you will want to know about a 108 year old horse training manual recently revived from a dusty old book shelf of a used book store.
This horse training manual was written in the late 1800’s by a then world famous horse trainer named Jesse Beery.
In Beery’s manual he explains the different steps it takes to train a horse to be gentle, safe, reliable, and valuable.
Picture this. You’re late for work one day. You look at your watch and notice you have about three minutes to feed your horse before you have to leave. Plus, it seems to worsen every day. You notice your life getting busier and you have little time, if any, to spend with your horse.
Should you sell him? Should you keep him? What do you do.
Yes, I have a horse. In Idaho, it is best to have one of the critters. Why? When you’re old, retired, and have your spouse as your boss, you will understand. For example:
“John, take out the garbage.”
I will as soon as I get back from feeding my horse.
“John, mow the grass.”
I will as soon as I get back from grooming my horse.
“John, can we take that cruise we’ve been talking about?”
Your horse needs a blanket because their natural oils and dirt that keep them warm in the wild are removed each time you brush or curry them. When you clip your horse, you then remove all of the additional warm hair. Most stables are not heated, and it is critical that you compensate for the loss of heat by using some sort of a blanket. A horse will begin to lose weight if not kept warm enough. Of course it is always important to feed more hay in the winter also.
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