Breaking a Horse // day by day

[@ThereseMoser]

This is so interesting please keep doing these! Love the progress you two made :)

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Therese Moser thank you! I'm back at uni now so not riding her any more but I'll be backing at least one horse next summer so I'll be sure to film everyday again then! ☺️

[@amelieequestrian5344]

Therese Moser I was just watching your videos

[@emilyshairchannel2455]

Holly Lenahan how old was she and did she have a name

[@idaho_equine5455]

I honestly love this because it shows the more realistic way that people actually break horses. Also like that you used bailing twine for your draw reins just incase she were to freak out they would break easier. Well done!

[@HoldingMoneyRansom]

thats how i train my horse to tuck, since she carried her head high, her videos are the best to actually train from, especially since i don't have people watching me

[@harrietbutler6514]

This video changed my life, after watching 3 years ago i decided to break in my foal, following this video, hes now come out to be a 3* eventer. All thanks to you holly x

[@kism12]

that’s so cool!!! you must be so proud of the little guy!!

[@Montanaoequestrian]

This is such a great idea for a video! And also really helpful since I have 2 to break and I've never done it before. Thanks for taking the time to make this Holly!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Montana O. Yay I'm glad it was at least a bit helpful haha best of luck with yours I can't wait to see you riding Kingston ☺️

[@Montanaoequestrian]

You spelt falling off wrong ;)

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Montana O. Lol shush you 😉

[@heidihoney1]

She seemed like such a fun little mare to work with! You did a great job backing her!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

heidihoney1 thank you! Yeah she was a real sweetheart by the end ☺️

[@V0.007]

Bel video

[@Laurensji]

God love her! You can see how nervous she is at the start - well done with her you handle her really well :) She's such a quick wee learner too!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Laurensji thank you! And yeah she was a right sweetie about the whole thing ☺️

[@CaitGB]

Absolutely amazing job! I broke in a couple of horses over the summer for people and just bought one who needs to be started, so great to see different people's techniques and ideas :)

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Cait G-B ah great! I'm glad you found this interesting :D

[@chicaine4915]

she is so calm and relaxed, she looks amazing

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

EquiiCaine thank you ☺️

[@zarab581]

I love the way u didnt rush her u took your time and she is amazing

[@acro6740]

She is a lovely, calm, clever horse! You are too! You two make a great team :D

[@hollypalmer95]

She she has a better outline in 13 days than my almost 7 year old 🙄

[@compendioussuccient6784]

Holly Frances Palmer what does outline mean please?

[@ezzib1274]

compendious succient it means the horse is using their muscles properly, so like moving forward with impulsion from the hind, working over their back, neck and poll. x

[@compendioussuccient6784]

e z z i b thank you x

[@heyits3lla960]

She's already carrying herself so well!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

HeyIts3lla yeah once she got a bit of muscle on her, she was way more balanced in herself ☺️

[@thildaanna912]

the horse isnt carrying itself cause the head is in a straight line. . whn the horse is carrying itself their feats are under themselves . and they push their backs up.

[@mc.9839]

Who disliked this!? Well done! I come from a western/rodeo background and this just shows a good proper way to train a horse. The only concern I had for you was that if she did buck and throw you it was over concrete. Again, very well done!

[@isabellahughes716]

This horse was so good! I was actually suprisingly at how well she took to tack!

[@ADreamWithInADream99]

Such a gentle and progressive strategy, will definitely be taking some notes.

[@LittleMissPaperHeart]

she looks so eager to learn!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

EWEquestrian she was! ☺️

[@emmaogilviee6149]

Well done holly!, she really took it well with the sliding draw reins (I think that's what they're called) and she learnt so quickly, I know of a few horses who the riders tried sliding draw reins to teach about when pressure is applied to the bit if they give it will stop and they didn't have any of it so it's nice that she did it so well for you!! 💞

[@jodies7870]

How can this have any dislikes it's amazing and so interesting I can't believe how much progress u made with her ❤️❤️❤️

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

awh thank you! In fairness I kind of expected some negative feedback with a video like this because that's just the internet for you! But ah well :P

[@xkeepflying]

This is so awesome to watch! The progress you made with her is amazing! x

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

xKeepFlying thank you! ☺️

[@erinshows1051]

She's a very talented horse,you did amazing!!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Erin Shows thank you! ☺️

[@bronwynmines7864]

Hi Holly , This was SO fantastic to watch :) She looks like a real sweetheart , well done ! I am up to backing my filly she has been so lovely up till now and hope i have success ! This was a great help , we can never stop learning , so thanks for sharing :)

[@jazminwest8023]

she holds her head so nicely :)

[@charlottearias8039]

Jazmin West this is not an example. You should not do that with a young horse, the bone in the head finish growing after the horse is 7 and more.

[@horses9574]

charlotte Arias she's not asking the horse to do it

[@charlottearias8039]

Eva Bunnyland Yeah I know, my horse does the same. But people should not think that you should do that (mettre en place, french) your young horse

[@_eca_equine_7320]

charlotte Arias I understand that you shouldn't force a horse to hold its head that way so young, but she did it with patience and didn't do too much at a time and after that the horse was willing and I believe it was better to tech this horse young instead of her being ridden later on and rides yanking on her mouth trying to get her to take "contact" as most riders just yank on the bit and hope for the best, so I think she did a good job doing it while she's young but I would have used something more stretchy instead of string but I understand where your coming from x

[@charlottearias8039]

_ECA_Equine_ Yeah the problem is not that she does it wrong, the problem is, the bones "solicited" during the hold of the head (omg my english i wanna die il so sorry) is that they finish growing when the horse is 7-8

[@horsesanimalsandeverything4960]

This was AMAZING!! I love how you took it slow, and did only a little every day! Very good job! Maybe next time don't do the riding training on pavement (sometimes this is a little slippery to a horse's hoofs), but really... this was AWESOME!! Again, great job.

[@kezia8835]

It's usual practice for people to get on for the first few times on hard ground as the horse is less likely to throw a tantrum.

[@dollyoctober9441]

This showed so many tips I’m trying to break in my cob but he’s really really untamed lol he’s bucking and biting

[@equinebrodie1289]

Thank you for the help! I have a young exmoor at home and if I don’t try and to something with her she is going to be sold...I really think she has potential but mum doesn’t think so so me and Blue (pony) are going to prove everyone wrong.

[@clodaghmarie3566]

That's class ! Well done 👍😃 You were so good with her 👍❤️❤️

[@equestrianswagger]

She is such a nice little horse! Thanks for sharing!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Equestrian Swagger thank you! No problem :)

[@user86794]

In the day 12 she looks like she could been ridden already for like 2 months what. You did amazing job with her.

[@noeldawson9211]

looks great, first ride on a concrete surface near a low slug roof, please look after yourself, you did a great job and I enjoyed the video

[@lucymorgancountry]

Great video!! Only thing to say is don’t let the lunge line touch to floor just incase the horse gets in tangled in legs and so you have a better connection with their bit. And use words more than the whip. After they are good on the lunge or whatever try lunging him without a whip and so he moves off your voice aids only. I didn’t head much talking Xxx. Obviously I know I shouldn’t be telling you this as I’ve only been riding like 3 ish years and you and Welbeck are GOALS af but it’s something my trainer taught me and I always remember it 💘

[@elliexoxo747]

Lucy morgan a lunge whip is meant to touch the floor

[@lucymorgancountry]

XxEquestrianxX lunge LINE. Fgs. If a lunge LINE touches the floor the horse could stand on it and restrict their head, same as you don’t let lead ropes touch the floor when attached to the horse. And a lunge WHIP isn’t MEANT to touch the floor, it’s not a bad thing if it does but you probably should walk next to a horse with one dragging the floor as it would break etc, even if it’s not attached to them.

[@elliexoxo747]

#NONEQUESTRIANALERT!Just so you know , I have been riding for 9 years. I put the lunge line close to me and leave it on the floor. If you have CONTROL, It wont happen

[@lucymorgancountry]

XxEquestrianxX I’ve been riding for 3 years with 5 years prior at a Riding school. I’ve have lessons with a proper instructor one on one, so I know that you shouldn’t let the line drag the floor. Let me guess, you let the reins on the floor and don’t care if your horse stands on/in them, gets tangled up and starts freaking out. Wouldn’t shock me

[@lucymorgancountry]

XxEquestrianxX do you mean when attached to the horse? If you just put it on the floor not attached then it’s not the worst thing ever but could still get tangled if they were to step over it etc

[@toughdawg]

What a really good horse! Very friendly too!

[@ChristineChang20]

How did you know if the saddle fit her/him?

[@elizabethdailey8285]

Ok I've never been a big fan of the sliding draw reins just cuz I like the horse to move freely when starting... but I'm not here to hate 💛 I thought this was a real good video and you have trained the horse so well. It has a beautiful trot and will make a wonderful riding horse. 👏🏼

[@stephanddallas1854]

Awesome Holly. good job on keeping him /her still!

[@jasminesnowman5911]

holly you did so well and i hope you keep doing this

[@yellowing3584]

Does the twine cut her? Idk if I should be using twine instead of tying the reins to the girth

[@PalwassiexLove]

This is really interesting! And she looks lovely! Nice job!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

littlegreyshowjumper thanks! ☺️

[@Nowayjose69420]

Hey my horse is very scared of the browband on the bridle but deals with everything else beautifully, any tips?

[@orrissajytc1236]

Absolutely amazing, Well done 🥳😁

[@b0nedad]

How did you get her working in a consistent outline? I'm re training a stunning ex polo pony, she can go in an outline but likes to flick her head up

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

By lunging her in the running draw reins they gave her a mouth :)

[@b0nedad]

cool thank you! I'll consider trying it xx

[@MarkRobertCuthbert]

Good video editing etc. Thank you for taking the time and effort, to make and upload

[@KimPatts]

Wow! That was/is beautiful. Great job! 💜💛

[@summerpottruff9217]

Did you do groundwork or partially break her before this? She didn't kick or buck once!

[@casshendry]

Yeah this horse has already been broken in prior to this video clip being done. It doesn't normally take 13 days to get on a horses back and ride it. When you break in a fair dinkum wild horse or a green unbroken horse there's a bit of work to be done before you put the saddle on it. You can saddle and ride a wild or unbroken horse on Day 1 so long as you have the talent and capability to do so and its safe to do for both the horse and rider. I usually have the saddle and rider on the horse at Day 3 or 4. This horse in the clip has been well handled and is pretty much already broken in to be fair.

[@jessicawhitworth2030]

Such a stunning horse x

[@savannahdomino3640]

Sorry this is a lot later than when the video was posted, but how long did you lunge her for on each day? Thanks!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Savannah Domino there wasn't really a set time, I usually stopped when she started going nicely a bit more consistently, as a reward :) very much depends on the horse and the day!

[@savannahdomino3640]

Holly Lenahan Thank you!

[@tamarac6073]

How long did you lunge her for each day?

[@AimeeandJasper]

Lovely video, are you just tying the bailing twine to the girth and then through the bit and to the saddle? Can you ride like this or is it just for lunging? Do you find it promoted them to hollow the back and shorten the stride? I have a 5yr old mare who is lovely but doesn’t know how to move forwards or give to rein contact 😞

[@tommoando]

Her canter is really nice

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Grace Rulez03 thanks ❤️

[@phid6140]

What happened to day two???

[@sarahmeston3303]

I was just wonder what the string was for that you put through the bite to the saddle and girth?

[@emilyz1253]

when you hold the reins you pull on the reins so thats what it was teaching her

[@elliexoxo747]

It is to imitate what the reins feel like

[@charlottex1553]

i have a question why when u first stared to ride her did u lean forward

[@katebushphotocard4505]

Probably for a lower center of gravity is my guess, or perhaps to make it easier to quickly slide off if the horse got upset. I'd say it looks like a great way to get a neck thrown in your face, but maybe that's just because the horses I've broken were a bit rowdier ahahaha.

[@Jennifer-kg8gi]

Because a horse in the wild that is there blind spot and so to just be on the horses back and sit up would scare them that were a predator usually attacks and the horse may buck or bult as a flight animal ,warms them up to weight and the thought of a rider on there back.

[@rosewildeventing7329]

It makes it easier for them to stretch out at first since less pressure is on their back

[@Lauraonoakes]

Wow you did fantastic! How did you have her working on an outline from so early on? Glad you didn't use draw reins!

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Lauran thank you! And the sliding reins that I lunged her with basically teach them pressure and release with the reins so when you put contact, they give instead of fighting against it or whatever :) and yeah draw reins have never worked for me so I personally don't like using them tbh unless it's for control if the horse is taking off and stuff :P

[@kaylapearson294]

So you used sliding reins and baling twine?

[@chloerobinson6624]

How old was she? Xx

[@LillieTheDogX]

love this video! she looks like a lovely mare :)

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Heather Ridley thank you she is ❤️

[@slsequestrian3809]

What bit do you use for breaking. Or do you try different ones when you are mouthing them to see what they like ?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

shamzypones i use a simple snaffle :)

[@HoldingMoneyRansom]

i love slow hunter type horses, though i don't mind taking a bit of time to gallop or speed up every once in a while, and i'm an intermediate and i'm learning to jump now, but i'm good at flat and leg commands so i decided it's time to take the 12yo QH nobody wanted and train her and i went from slow collected to " MOM LOOK! ZOOOOOOMMMMM " and she understands leg and all, she just doesn't understand collection so i'm going to start working at the canter a lot more since she's perfect at the trot now. i'm also retraining 2 horses to a more show like since they were never taught collection or how to get into the canter correctly and they don't get ridden often, one will be an amazing horse once he understands me pulling lightly and kicking at the same time since he was taught " Oh you're touching the reins, okay- STOPPPPPP " then will go from gallop speed to standing xD

[@frozenlibertyrider5280]

Wow, What a good girl, so well behaved even my Broke horses don’t behave that wellXDThanks for this video very helpful:)

[@ab.eventing1895]

She’s such a nice little mare ❤️😍

[@paulamiskimmin1833]

I am a bit late seeing this though Sarah made so much progress you and her make a great team!Shes such a quick little learner🙂

[@HorseLover22x]

Amazing job! Loved watching

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

HorseLover22x thank you! ☺️

[@alexahagenson-doull2976]

love this video just a quick question why did you start riding around on the cement in that small space?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

R8YOL LI8NS I was taught to do that because I've never seen or had a horse buck or rear while on concrete because they don't trust the surface. Sand on the other hand is a different story so riding in the arena for the first time can be entertaining ;)

[@eligil4629]

Holly Lenahan I always wondered why people do that! You learn something new everyday! Though my mare will still buck on concrete... she's just special! Great video!

[@mc.9839]

@@HollyLenahanSJ That answered my only concern in my comment. Though, I'll say this, I've been bucked over cement, which is why I was concerned for you, lol! Definitely seems to work for you, though.

[@horsesforlifexo1]

How did you get her carrying herself so well from the beginning right through?!

[@annikablock6177]

Awww such a sweet horse!

[@11mellymoo11]

This as so interesting to watch! I was just wondering how did you attach the bailing twine to the girth?

[@padoodledonk2688]

Might of been a D-ring, my shaped girth has one

[@user-pm9fd3wj9x]

What are the draw reins for?

[@caprismith4591]

Do you have your stirrups shorter than normal? If so, why? They look a little short to me but i don't know how they feel!

[@oliviapolkinghorne5630]

Hey Holly would you be able to make a video on how to put all the type of lunging aids on, like the bailing twine and vienna reins. As I want to try them on my boy as he is an arab and is quite high headed. I feel this would help him build up some muscle making it easier for him to go on the bit.

[@curiousrabbits3305]

What was the blue string for on day 3?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Emma Highhand they're call sliding draw reins I think and teach that when pressure is put on the bit, and if she gives, that the pressure is released immediately. That way she will stop and turn perfectly when I ride her ☺️

[@zoeequestrian8991]

Lauren Tbcs that's exactly what it is

[@piinkksnow]

how do you teach a horse to go forward, i have a 7 year old gypsy gelding and when i give him aids to go forward, he doesnt go. hes no lazy since he does everything on the lunge x

[@mikaylayoung322]

How did you get her to collect her head so nicely?

[@alexandriacausby764]

When she was lunging and using the side Reigns the horse teaches itself so when you are holding the reigns it'll be similar in the sense that you give and release that pressure

[@norawade2617]

Where did you get your whip from

[@chloes500]

Which horse is this of yours?

[@M2511-b2u]

This is amazing!!💗

[@kaylynpownall9280]

How did you get that head so beautifully low so quickly ? Was it the draw reins that helped her get there so quickly?

[@mirwatts4404]

Hey, I really struggle with getting my 3 year old out on the lunge, he just doesn't get it! Any tips? He isn't scared of the whip and I've been working hard at getting him to understand pressure. Part of me is wondering whether i should just get on and do it on board but Im a big believer in ground work.

[@oransherry4882]

hi holly, love this video!! question did you use draw reins at the start of the video when you were lunging her?

[@ljequestrian6791]

They are sliding draw reins

[@hallyandhidalgo]

Beautiful job, Holly.

[@tashahorn3438]

Love the video good job but I need to ask do you whip your horse hard????

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Tasha Horn no I flick it towards her first and if she really won't move forward then I'll try and get the end of it to touch her on the hindquarters to encourage her to move forward :)

[@millamidnghtokr1223]

How old is she?

[@kezia8835]

Why do you hunch over her when you first get on? Genuine question, not trolling. I'm backing a horse this year and just want to know what the benefit of that from your viewpoint is.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Because the sight of someone on their back is often more frightening to the horse than the weight of you. So I stay low at first and then slowly sit up to ease them into it

[@kezia8835]

@@HollyLenahanSJ Oh awesome, thanks for the reply. Always interested to learn new methods and tactics. We're rebacking a nervous horse and backing a four year old this year, so it's always useful to have different approaches in mind.

[@amywilliams1494]

Did u think about if u were to fall of u don’t have a vest on and ur on a concrete slab so it would be painful

[@rosewildeventing7329]

Amy Williams a lot of riders don’t use vests also she was being very slow so she most likely wouldn’t fall also I’ve fallen without a vestt

[@casperdavis3916]

What is the purpose of the strings at 2:20?

[@holiv4930]

Basically that type of bridle is called a martingale and is used to strap round the girth so the saddle doesn’t move or stops the horse being so head strong etc. Normally this would be leather but she used bailing twine. ThE reason for this is so if the horse does anything that would break the reins, the string would snap easier which saves the money and avoids the horse getting tangled or damaging itself or tack. Hope this helped xx

[@SammieeEq]

Hi, I'm currently breaking my 14hh 4yo chestnut WBSP and whenever I ask for canter he bolts and bronks but they are huge bronks, any advice for achieving a canter xx (i have trot perfected already) thanks xxx

[@erincurrie741]

The bailing twine look very tight but loved the video it helped so much

[@sallysapphirelord796]

for a new horse, she's pretty good!

[@oransherry4882]

what type of bit did you use and how long did you have it in before you started to lunge her? sorry for all the questions

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

oran sherry just a normal eggbutt snaffle, not a breaking bit or anything and I lunged her on the 4th day ☺️

[@oransherry4882]

thanks sorry for all the questions

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

oran sherry no problem at all! ☺️

[@kiksuyesni]

Omg that's better than my horse, I got on him but he was just really spooked and wouldn't walk forward, we led him and he would go but whenever you'd take the lead rope off he wouldn't go

[@cowgirlamber361]

Jealous of wear she naturally wants her head. Might be a bit behind the verticals but still. I also really like your method of breaking horses!

[@maiabeau1603]

Hey what's the string for? I've never seen that technique. Does it get the horse to start working in an outline?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Horses Xoxo if you look at my lunging video that I uploaded recently, i explain it there ☺️

[@maiabeau1603]

Holly Lenahan ok! On my way there now

[@enyaodina1805]

that contact! u got that just by the lunging with draw reins?! and obviously some other things

[@charleymaguire6650]

Why did she tie those ropes from the horses saddle to but on day 3/4

[@oliviadolan4680]

My grandfather has horses that he wants me to “restart” (they’ve had pleasure training and my goal is to have them do hunters or lower level eventing) they have good minds, they’re just lazy. any tips? (from anyone?)

[@niamhmcgovern6639]

How do have ur horses on the outline/bit? Do u just squeeze and release on ur reins and keep leg on or is there and easier way of teaching them to go on the bit? I have a 9 year old thoroughbred and when I first got him he always had his head in the air and was impossible to turn..Put the draw reins on him while I rode him to help me and teach him to put his head down as he’s trained when people apply pressure on mouth he backs up..took the draw reins off him after a month and he still had his head up in the air in trot and canter..I haven’t rode him 2 weeks due to him having back problems from the past so the lady said to lunge him 6 days a week in draw reins and get him to round.Ive another week til I ride him but I’m just wondering on how to get him into an outline and round for me without the draw reins xxx

[@luciegray1244]

Why put the string on? I understand it was to start forming an outline and self carriage but there are less harmful ways to do it. I didn’t like it.

[@jodoodle2703]

Lucyyy Equestrian Its a sliding draw rein. The horse can still move completely freely as it slides through the bit. She could still bring her nose to the ground or up towards the sky if she wanted to. Its imitates the use of reins while riding, and also strengthens the outline. They also snap really easily when any sort of pressure is applied, so if the horse chose to fight against them due to discomfort, they'd just break. They're not like the draw reins youre thinking of. :)

[@elliexoxo747]

They imitate the movement of the bit and to make sure the horse can understand the gentle pressure

[@tannerthevanner]

what did you do to make her have such a good mouth? I've tried a variety of things for my four year old and she still has no mouth. loved watching you guys progress tho!! xxx

[@katrinabuys6245]

This horse is better behaving then a horse I have been trying to break for about a month now😂

[@victorialazareva]

What's the point in tying her head like that?

[@_remi_skye_7393]

Tori Green it teaches the horse to respond to pressure in the reigns and helps when teaching them to collect. They can still move their head around a little; it just encourages them to drop their head instead of holding it straight up.

[@layan.alabed]

Do you use spurs ?!?!??!?!?!!?!?!?!

[@ElessarEquestrian]

she looks like a real gem Holly! question about the subscriber video- let's say I did win (which isn't likely lol) am I able to just email you the raws? KZbin doesn't like it when I upload long videos lol

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

LittleBayAspen Xx thank you! And yup that'd be fine ☺️