Starting young horses and behaviour correction in a horse
Starting a young horse to saddle lasts 6 months, depending on the experience and wishes of the owner. It can be done using a bitted or a bitless bridle. In both cases the horse trains without the use side reins, according to the principles of communication using body language and guidance, while maintaining its free movement.
A young horse learns about trust, balance, and carrying strength with in-hand work and lungeing. It improves its flexibility and proprioception with gymnastic groundwork. The horse gradually gets used to subtle riding aids and thus learns effective communication. Through the process of breaking a horse to saddle, the right muscles to carry weight are developed, and the horse is psychologically prepared to perform more demanding under saddle work.
The horse is introduced to under saddle work gradually. This entails long reining(adjusting to hand aids), adjusting to weight, feeling the weight while striding, passages, reacting to leg aids and weight while striding, longer interval work in different gaits, and adjusting to be ridden in different environments.
Behaviour correction in a horse already started to saddle is done firstly with an ethological assessment of the horse and a description of the issue. Problems mostly arise due to an unconsolidated basis (or lack thereof), incomplete knowledge of horse behaviour or care and unsuitable training. After that, a plan of corrective training is devised. The owner of the horse is also guaranteed assistance (theoretical and practical).
