Posted, February 1. 2007

Young Horse Training Symposium with Scott Hassler
by Gigha Steinman, River Oaks Farm

Have a Plan for the Young Horse

Hassler stressed the importance of riders having a plan, and knowing what you want to work on with the horse. He said riders should keep things fun for the horse, and should mix in the more difficult concentrated work with easier work. Rising trot should be done to give the horse a “break for the back”, although he pointed out that just because the rider is doing rising trot does not mean the quality of the trot cannot be maintained. It is a break for the back, but does not have to be a break entirely. To train different muscle groups, he advocated altering the work between the gaits and directions, and not spending long periods at the same gait or direction (he also gave the horses many breaks for walking.)

He also spoke of the importance of being able to vary the work between stretching the horse lower and rounder, and also more “up” in competition frame (he also spoke of this as the “body-building” frame versus the competition frame.)

The frame which is the best for the young horses is whichever frame works the best to keep them swinging in the back and expressive and “happy”. With some horses he wanted them a bit more “up”, with others he wanted them a bit lower to encourage the relaxation and swinging of the back.

PhelpsPhoto: Riverside Lady x Royal Diamond out of Deja Vu x Donnerhall owned by Robbie Rice and ridden by Debbie Hill