Preparing a Horse for the Feel and Sounds of Off-Roading

[@ronkutz1664]

Thank you Barry. I so appreciate your videos.

[@barryhook2]

Thank-you! We appreciate your comments too.

[@JanWestern]

Your videos are always so informative Barry, a joy to learn of all the funny little 'quirks' each horse has, quirks that many of us would never even think of. I love your 'mantra' being 'every horse is different' and how true that is. And discipline without cruelty, with each horse being 'safe, confident and happy.' Not only are you a gentle man but a true Gentleman. I know that you have often said that you would never write a book or make a video on 'how to train horses' but it would be wonderful to be able to buy a book on your own life experiences with horses

[@annamcknight2573]

You earn every carrot, Barry. I learned a lot from that video. Thank you Barry and Rhi., you make my Saturdays.

[@barryhook2]

You're welcome, Anna! Thanks for being our top commenter!

[@debtompkins5363]

I get concerned about driving on the road because there is not enough shoulder to get the horse and cart off on, yet there you are on roads with no shoulder at all, completely hedged in. I envy you the variety of driving situations you can get a horse calm with. You are very brave being out there with distracted drivers and idiots in a hurry.

[@EX5DD]

Another great video, thank you. I learn something every time I watch one. I hope you are teaching the next generation of horse driving instructors.

[@sarahmarks7082]

What a wonderful idea for Silver's 🐴owners to send him back to you 🌟 Some horses love off-roading while others can get overstimulated 😵 I was hoping that you'd have a male pheasant 🪶running alongside you again

[@barryhook2]

Aw, glad you remember him!

[@marilynwjlson6792]

Love you video's❤

[@deborahpatton861]

Thanks for the refresher video- I’ve got 2 that are in the same situation 🎉

[@barryhook2]

Best of luck with them!

[@deborahpatton861]

@@barryhook2 if I win the lottery I’ll be shipping them overseas to you for sure 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@SocialShires]

good to know what happened of my missing dog bowl

[@Mitmacher]

On your ride, allow your horse to canter at top speed, if he wants, 400 to 800m. Then you will have a happy and obedient horse. At least that's how it was with my big Lipizzaner.

[@Mitmacher]

Of course, this is only written for those who have less horse experience than me. You should try to give the animals what they need for their well-being. Some horses need full throttle from time to time especially in the pasture. And it's certainly healthy.

[@claresealy1793]

Have you got any videos of him running off? What do you do when they do that?

[@barryhook2]

We rarely are filming when things like that happen. Either because it is unexpected and happens and is over too quickly, or it is expected and our attention is on the horse and keeping them and everyone else safe, not on getting video footage of it. Generally the best thing to do is not panic, use your voice, reins and brakes in that order to bring the horse out of a bolt. If you can maintain steering, that's great and if it happens to happen in a relatively safe, straight section of road/land then you have more chance of letting them 'run it out' until they come out of 'panic mode' and listen to your voice. A lot of prior training and trust in the driver helps!

[@claresealy1793]

Thank you Barry, that's really helpful!

[@yolandamoyer863]

What should you do if they bolt?

[@barryhook2]

Most of the time, all you can do is try to not make anything worse! Stay calm, keep even pressure on the reins to try to keep them in a straight line (one-rein stops are not safe in a carriage!) repeat 'steady' in a calm manner (or whatever your usual word is for them to slow down) and wait for them to hopefully come out of 'bolt mode' and listen to you. A lot of bringing a horse back safely out of a bolt relies on previous training - although that doesn't help in the moment if you haven't put that in - and is why we put so much effort into training before anything bad happens.

[@yolandamoyer863]

@@barryhook2 Thank you so much.