Training A Young Horse

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I hope you find this video helpful. I would love to hear what your biggest takeaway is. Let me know below. 🙂

[@linuxrant]

It's really hard to talk about a takeway here. There was a multitude of things my mind sucked in by watching this video. from the way you work and reward him, how you do not punish him for not getting things exactly right, how to separate in his mind cantering in one particular spot, to how to ask for canter, trot. basically how to make this a game for a horse.. and of course how beautiful and charming this horse is...the biggest takeaway I think is the whole structure of how you began with him, how you progressed, that allowed him to understand what is being asked of him. looking at a whole process really seems to glue all other lessons that are partial and about one specific thing.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Oh you have made my day! You get it. We teach them small things (letters) and then put them together(words) and then once they get that we can tell a story with them 🥰

[@linuxrant]

@@BasicHorseTraining wow😮, this is an amazing metaphor, darn... that one will stay with me forever now, thanks.😘

[@patriciajohnstone4398]

I loved watching this! I felt your joy as he did so well in what you were asking. I love that you reward him with quiet walking and ending on the wonderful progress he has made. Thanks so much for sharing 😊

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@benitascott3533]

I glean huge value from your training videos Josie, thankyou. You're the only trainer I've found who shows training of dressage principles in a green horse. And I find your approach incredibly helpful to apply to my 16 yo ArabX (Qarab) who is not green but green-to-dressage! And we have been struggling for quite some time with rhythm, relaxation, contact & steering! I have gone back to a more dedicated groundwork approach which is certainly helpful & i have researcged alot about the training scale to provide structure to my training direction &goals. I notice your training is based on compassion, understanding of the horse, teaching proper ɓiomechanics & strivng for optimal partnership. And I commend you for that. You demonstrate achieving great progress with the the horses you work. Love to follow your work. Excellent training Josie. You're such a wonderful mentor. Beautiful horse too. Thankyou for sharing. ❤

[@dominickjulia6316]

Your videos help fine tune my riding to be balanced and supportive to my mare. She is responding very positively! Just discovered your channel. You are very good and great at conversing your thoughts. Thank you❤

[@SocialShires]

This is so rewarding. I spend a lot of time sitting on my horses. I can move and steer them shifting my weight. But only in a area without grass so far. I feel very priviledged to be understood bareback with no gears. Im looking forward to riding them with halter and barely any head contact as they dont seem to lose focus even when allowed to look around. I never had draft horses before and im really liking their mind and experimenting more than usual.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

This boy is such a darling 🩷

[@rebeccariley6933]

Such a pleasure to listen and watch as you take him around. Thank you!

[@Wendy-bd9zu]

I just found you on youtube, very relaxing to watch you, i would understand you to if i was a green horse. Firm and sweet and direct. We have a two year old dutch warmblood, with lots of Arabian in her. We wil start her under saddle next year but videos like this are so helpful! Great you are filming al of this.

[@KingsMom831]

He looks like a sweetheart ❤

[@BasicHorseTraining]

He is a really sweet boy. Hasn’t put a foot wrong. Such a joy to work with 🥰

[@christinerauh6416]

Thank you Josie ❣ He is an absolutely beautiful horse💙

[@traceyheps]

Your video's have helped me so much with my two green horses. Thank you from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you for letting me know. I love hearing feedback 💞

[@Krinsta1]

Thanks Josie that was fabulous

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@diazdressage8937]

Lovely video! Thank you for showing how truly a horse is at the beginning ❤❤

[@delamaiwald327]

Thank you Josie, helps to see a horse that feels like mine...appreciated

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I’m glad it helps 😊

[@jasmineghent9609]

We appreciate u so much! Thank u for taking the time to show us your mastery!🙌

[@BasicHorseTraining]

My pleasure!!

[@kmsch986]

I’m starting my huge five year old Irish Sport horse and he is so awkward and unbalanced at the canter on lunge I’ve hesitated to try under saddle but this video came along at just the right time. I need to get him on a straight line and let him go. Reward the try. I started him late bc he is so big and he had kick injuries twice in the field that interrupted our starting by months. I keep fretting about how behind we are when I compare him to other five year olds but try to focus on the fact that this is only about his well being and our partnership and if it takes longer that is just fine.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I didn’t even start Rebel until he was almost 5 because of a confirmation issue he had. I wanted to wait for his bones to set as we were in it for the long game. You are never behind. You are always exactly where you are meant to be. 🧡

[@robynmartin2026]

another brilliant video, thankyou so much for sharing.

[@joanngombos9878]

Your videos are so satisfying and have helped find answers for my AQHA cutting bred mare from USA. We have made changes in the last year and ride with hunt seat equipment (no more western) and we both couldn't be happier! Currently working on canter and I have felt asking for this on the long side of the arena might be the answer versus the tight circles that put so much pressure on joints, etc. So far, with two rides, I've been able to get right lead, but she refused left lead. I feel it will happen, this video was encouraging, thank you for sharing.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

You are very welcome 😊

[@mychance1120]

I LOVE LOVE your videos Josie!!!… I have a Mustang just getting under saddle! This is so helpful!!!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thank you 🥰

[@rumblecreekfarm]

this was most helpful - thank you!

[@maggsm3392]

This is great. Love how you explain your rein and leg control. I ride western and was just a little confused with the moving shoulder. If i move shoulder I use my left leg to move shoulder to the right and both reins but keeping the head and neck straight. I think western may teach it that way as a they don't flex the neck in a spin. I do love this though, it's making me want to go back English! He's a lovely horse and looking awesome in that canter. Every time he got the correct lead to the left I was saying 'good boy' with you. lol

[@susanmason3210]

This is brilliant and has appeared at the right time for me! Hoping to share an ex racehorse who requires gentle, forward schooling. This is so helpful. Oh and what a horse ISH is my favourite!! Thank you very much for your brilliant videos..

[@BasicHorseTraining]

All the best with your OTTB. I hope it all goes well for you 😊

[@suebenbow6860]

Thku for your knowledge you share on your channel

[@BasicHorseTraining]

It's my pleasure

[@michellep9303]

Lovely video! I am working on the same with my 4 year old ❤

[@BasicHorseTraining]

❤

[@s....marie1637]

Hi! Great Video, very insightful and helpful. May you please let me know the brand of your helmet? Looks like a nice one! Thank you so much, hope you have a lovely day! 😊

[@loredelore7286]

He's lovely Josie.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

He is 🥰

[@loredelore7286]

@@BasicHorseTraining can't beat a good ISH!!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

@@loredelore7286 I haven't started or even ridden one before but if they are like him they are worth their weight in gold. He is such a darling.

[@loredelore7286]

@@BasicHorseTraining I started out 30 years ago in dressage and of course Warmbloods were the go to for most people, but in the last couple of years I've been for Irish Draught/Connemaras. I find them very unc omplicated and don't take so long to mature. I'm not sure the amount of thoroughbred blood thats going into Warmbloods these days is making a better riding horse, sometimes up to 40% and more if its breed for eventing. Here in the Emerald Isle you would be lucky to find a young horse without warmbloods blood of some sort and a horse that is good moving sound of mind nice conformation that has warmblood breeding in it. Ireland is very much about showjumping eventing so I guess that's the market they are breeding for. Anyway looks like you have a good'un there. Enjoy!

[@christinafragis7224]

Great video! Tnanks for sharing!

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Thanks for watching!🙂

[@legehusetssangeprivatpasni931]

Do you have a video where you show and explain the groundwork you do with them ?

[@annettemcnabb3033]

I was wondering how long do you ride your green horses for and how many days? Thanks and once again great video! :)

[@geraldinevandeventer748]

Any tips? Im a novice currently, closer to intermediate but still novice. I am confident, but not strong, i am a junior. Im currently riding a hot but not HOT tb mare, but would love a ottb of my own. Theyve always amazed me and they have such amazing personalities... (and so versatile) if you have a video recommendation for me on how to school young horses, ride hot horses, get a straight ottb on the bit, and just allround school them? Thanks 💕

[@Luvpets90]

This was so helpful. I’ve taken on a rescue TB mare who whilst she’s beautiful and quiet under saddle teaching her how to round her body has been hard. Seeing how you open your reins has helped me a lot in my ride today. I’m used to experienced horses so opening my reins so much has been a learning curve for me but it’s very helpful for her.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I'm so glad you found this helpful 😊

[@lulabelle7822]

LOve your vids thank you! Please can I just ask.... your lower leg whilst trotting... it looks a bit like youre giving him small constant leg aides, or is it just the movement of your leg rather? I constantly nag my horse so he has now gone deaf to it and behind my leg, so ive become paranoid about putting my leg on at all so trying to guage the right level of 'Leg on!' thanks L

[@KymBaxter-l3t]

Hi Josie, I'm looking at your BHT course, just wondering if you think it will work just as well on a 6yr old lightly handled Kosciusko brumby. I’ve been told that brumbies think & react differently to domestic horses and without trying to sound at all rude, I’m looking for the best option for training for him & don’t want to mess around with what won’t work for him. I won't be pursuing any particular discipline with him, just pleasure riding with my daughter & her older horse. Very interested in your thoughts if you have a moment.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Hi, I have started a Brumby using the principles shown in the course. I didn't find the Brumby any different EXCEPT .. his instincts were more "honed" and he read body language, intent and energy much faster than a "domestic" horse that had been brought up with people who often "dull" these for the horse by their ignorance. There is nothing in the course about handling an untouched horse so if you are looking for that it won't be suitable. I hope I have helped you and if you would like to ask further questions just send me an email 😊.

[@annettemcnabb3033]

Merci !

[@marysinclair1214]

Do you recommend starting a young horse at 3 yrs or 4yrs? I wish you were in Canada I would send you my young horse in a heartbeat. I'm terrified to find the right trainer here for my young horse.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

I won't start a horse before it is three. I'm happy doing groundwork with younger horses, but they just get a few lessons (maybe a two-week stretch) and then turned back out to grow and be horses. If they are my own horses, I usually start them in the autumn they turn three. I will have a few rides on them (not many), then turn them out for the winter and bring them back in as 4-year-olds. You are right; the wrong trainer can cause some issues. Try to find someone with recommendations from others who have used them. Watch them work with other horses - if they won't let you, that is a red flag! Thank you for your lovely comments 😊.

[@marysinclair1214]

@@BasicHorseTraining That's what I thought you would say. Good to know.

[@trickedouttech321]

Again you are a great trainer, but I don't care for how you are on the mouth all the time, You really need to ride these horses with no bit for at least the first 15-20 long rides like this. they need to have a free head, give that horse his head and mouth you don't need to hang on it all the time and shape his head like that is some English thing or something, don't get me wrong I like your training, I like how you work with the horse at there level and you are making a partner your not a flooded or one who thinks you need to dominate the horse.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

Hello. I am not hanging on to his head or shaping it. If you listen and watch I often give the rein to show that it is not me but him choosing to have his head there. I have been taught a technique which gets the horse to “accept” the bit on his own term and then go from there. I NEVER pull or put pressure on the bit unless I’m doing a one rein stop for my safety. It is difficult to put it into words but you have to trust me that Brave could put his head wherever he wants too and I wouldn’t stop him.

[@trickedouttech321]

how about no bit, I don't think you should ever use the bit, but if you must I think you should have about 10-15 good rides before you introduce the bit. the howese should beable to all this with no bit. I think you have the bit for you, not the horse. habit maybe maybe security I don't know, You are a great trainer but my only grip is the bit so early. We have not used bits for over 10 years without issue. A bit is just a tool that is not needed IMHO

[@xaussiesxhorsesx]

Have you ever trained a green horse? Just curious. She has gotten him used to the bit and this obviously isn’t the 1-3 ride. A bit can help them to understand and feel the pressure better so they know what you’re asking. It can be a little bit of a must have with more sluggish/inattentive horse. It is able to get their attention so they don’t have the issue of beginning to zone off as they feel the bit. In my preference it helps the horse’s mind to be more stimulated (I am working with a green, sluggish, 12 year old pasture pony.) of course this is dependent on your situation and the horse’s. If your horse’s mind doesn’t wonder then it’s not needed but can be helpful when used correctly. If the horse is anxious and situations already introduced can be overwhelming and one of your only options to improve this behavior by riding, a bit shouldn’t be used. Its all based off what it best for your horse, to keep both you and the horse safe. 😊 (and yeah I get it, you’ve gone ten years without a bit… but it really depends on the horse. You may not even notice the difference because you’ve never considered both equally. There are some benefits to both sides. They do not cause pain as long as they are used and fitted properly. She is using a proper bit and he is getting adjusted to it. She is also a professional who knows how to use it properly. Bits can be not abusive unlike sharp spurs.)

[@Currabell]

Is he an Irish Draught?

[@BasicHorseTraining]

He is ISH but 2 grandparents were Irish Draughts 🥰

[@Currabell]

He is doing so well with you. A good working mind that is the hallmark of the Irish Draught breed.

[@BasicHorseTraining]

He is an absolute delight 🧡

[@rebeccaminns9172]

This is so helpful as I’m currently training a young, green horse. She’s a little lazy and her steering is all over the place 😅