For those who don't know me-- I love horses! I have had horses most of my life, but the reason I am starting this blog is because I am attempting to successfully train Annie and Claire, my two year old paint fillies. I am constantly searching my 'new ideas' and 'methods' so that I can accomplish this. First and foremost, I have raised both of these fillies since 4 months of age. Annie was actually rescued by me at 8 weeks of age when she was abruptly taken off her mother. (Long story) I bought Claire at 4 months of age 2 days later, when my family could not get Annie to eat anything. I had been looking at Claire over the internet before I knew about Annie, so two days later I decided to go and get Claire and bring her home to be a buddy for Annie. So that is how all this started. Now Claire is nearly 29 months old and Annie is 26 months old. I usually get up every morning and train at least one of them, and so the purpose of this blog is document my success and failures in trying to effectively communicate with both of my fillies and get them to do what I want them to do. My ultimate goals is get Claire (registered paint) to compete at a Paint Show with me riding and to be safe and place in something-- maybe a pattern class or Hunt Under Saddle. Annie is not registered and so the best I can do with her is to compete in an Open Show. I am actually wanting Annie to be my husband's horse to compete on.
So here is what I have done so far with each filly:
Claire-- My registered Paint, and I must say my personal favorite.
1. Last year I entered her in several lunge line classes at an open show.
2. She walks, trots, and canters well on a lunge line.
3. Ground training and desensitizing to tarps, umbrellas, ropes and plastic bags.
4. Saddled and ridden about 6 times.
5. Trotted just the length of the arena and once in the round pen.
6. Driven with surgingle and saddle at the walk and trot.
7. Lunged her around at different places around my house.
8. Ponied at Tarrant Trails behind Spencer and Poco, our two big horses. Claire was able FINALLY to walk somewhat calmly through water on the trail.
9. Tied and trailer trained-- but needs work on being more relaxed in the trailer!
Things Claire needs to work on:
1. Going forward.
2. Trotting on command
3. Being less spooked at the wind and other stuff.
4. Not pawing in the trailer or when she is tied.
Annie-- Sweet and Kind, but a little behind Claire in training and in physical and mental age. We had both fillies knees xrayed and the vet reccomended waiting to start riding Annie in January.
1. Working on lunging. Not great at transitions, but she is trying.
2. Lunged around the horse.
3. Attempted to drive her, but she didn't really get it.
4. Ponied at Tarrants Trails, and right by a skunk hiding in the trail grass waiting to spray us!
5. Has worn a bit just a little bit.
6. Tie trained.
7. Trailer loading great!
Annie needs to work on:
1. Lunging
2. More groundwork and flexing
3. Driving
4. Taking the saddle for the first time.
Okay so what I plan to do is blog everyday who I train and what I do. I really love waking up every morning and working with them and I need some help or comments if anyone has anything to add to help me train my own horses!!!
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I am attempting to train my two year old fillies Annie and Claire. I am not a horse trainer, but have had horses most of my life. I am constantly looking for gentle methods and my main goal is to not be bucked off and end up with a willing and trusted partner. I want to one day show Claire at the Paint World Show and to be competitve. I am nervous at times, but wake up every morning to see what I can learn and teach Annie and Claire, my wonderful paint fillies.
