J Randol horse training

First it all starts on the ground. Building softness in the halter is a lot like building softness in the bridle for a young horses first time with a bit. Flexing left and right while standing is step one. Step two is long lining with the halter (I prefer rope halters at first since they have training knots to help promote softness). Once your horse is soft to a feel it’s time to try it in the saddle! Be soft with your hands, ask softly and add outside leg. Don’t pull with steady pressure use little bumps. If the horse doesn’t respond then increase the pound of pressure in your have slightly until they move in the direction you’re asking and release immediately. I enjoy the figure 8 pattern to help them understand this. Only at a walk until you feel they’re proficient at the walk you can then ask for the trot and keep them either circling or figure eight.

I hope this helps! Once your horse is soft to a feel bitless they won’t tell you but you’ll notice they’re happier 🙂

Lexus has extensive groundwork. That how all of my horses are. If you do your groundwork thoroughly, the time in the saddle comes naturally!

Here you see her relaxed, traveling on a loose rein confidently. I worked her off the rail so she’s not relying on the rail and putting my cues secondary.

I polished up her softness to light cues, moving off leg without speeding up, she did everything I asked as if she was a seasoned horse. These things are not something I teach a horse with only a handful of rides on the rail but she takes everything in stride.

I don’t ask a horse anything under saddle that I haven’t taught them first on the ground. That’s why my horses do so well once I’m on their backs.

Reaction, bad behavior and blow ups only happen when the horse has holes in its training. That’s why I trust my horses that I train so I’ll be first on their backs without fear.

I have two replaced hips I can’t afford to fall so I teach the horses so much on the ground first before I ever sit on their backs for the first time 🙂

Here’s our journey together and it’s only just begun!

Only a handful of rides and my mare Lexus already does the no rein stop!

Groundwork is key folks! Spend the time on the ground teaching so you don’t have to battle in the saddle!

My clients filly, a very reactive 9 month old filly that was hard to catch and extremely reactive and she KICKED!

Two months later she’s a good citizen, bathes, loads, leads, lunges, women the bareback pad, wears a blanket now and she can be touched all over! She’s never had her feet trimmed so I got her used to picking up her feet and letting me hold onto them without kicking! She ties and stands patiently.

Lastly, she’s no longer reactive, here you’ll see her at liberty, meaning she’s not being held onto. She’s completely comfortable with the leaf blower for her first time! that’s a desensitized baby!

Mister Bear is always the first one on my youngsters he’s about 10 pounds and I sit him up like a person so the horses get used to something above them. Then I hang him off both sides so they get used to weight pulling on both sides of the saddle.

Mister Bear is a vital but very fun part of my training program. I look forward to days that mister Bear helps me with the youngsters.

My final stage of groundwork for the youngsters before their first ride is having them carry the flag. The flag symbolizes something moving in the saddle and also getting them used to something touching their rump.

This method helps me find the horses trigger spots, meaning, where they’re most sensitive. with her it was something above her now, I know I did my homework right because she could care less and that’s PERFECT.

Now she’s completed the saddle desensitization and onto the ground driving portion before her first ride 🙂

Stay tuned!

Loading practice is never a bad idea! I don’t just like my horses to load I like them to walk in on their own and be comfortable standing in the trailer without wanting to come out right away or being insecure.

Pippi had her first experience with the cinch and the bareback pad. She didn’t mind at all and hardly noticed it!

I put a very soft fleece bareback pad on the babies it gives them a pleasant experience with the cinch and always is a positive training session.

In just four days she’s been on daily dewormer, super gain and loose Redmond salt to catch her up on her minerals and any other deficiency or possible parasite infestation.

All of my horses that come in get daily dewormer, super gain and loose salt to ensure their optimum health while here in school 🙂

Mister Bear rode Lexus today and they both did very well! Mister bear flops all over and occasionally falls off but still attached to the saddle so it gets the youngsters used to him hanging off of them also. As much as I can introduce these young horses to helps them become better prepared to be riding horses in their future.