videos training greenies

[2boys]

Does anyone have any videos of quality trainers schooling babies? I am transitioning to a new trainer for my ottb, and would like to get a picture in my head of what is helpful vs hurtful. As some of you may know (based on my zillions of ottb questions), I am bringing along my FIRST ottb (don't worry-not even close to my first horse), and want to do it RIGHT. As usual, I am questioning my decisions... Thanks for any videos!:winkgrin:

[angel]

I know of no video that demonstrates work with greenies. Probably some of the closest videos are going to be those western tapes devoted to developing the snaffle bit horse. I, personally, love the Kyra Kyrlund tapes. But, these really do not show her working with a green horse per se. Most of the horses with which she is working have been under saddle for awhile. The biggest problem with training tapes are the time constraints. A couple of sentences of instruction in the tape might equate to a month or more or training in the actual, green horse. In my opinion, there are also aspects of the training that are not covered in the tapes, such as the ground work that should be leading up to the first backing of the horse. Again, many of the snaffle bit tapes from the western world might serve you better there. If you are beginning with your first green horse, it might serve you well to look around for someone in your area that specializes in those first rides, and who would be willing to teach you how to train from the beginning.

[2boys]

I have a trainer, just not sure if it is the "right" one for us.

[Elegante E]

This one is pretty good. The thing about most of these vids is that the riders are very good, the horses are high quality and are being ridden daily. So most aren't much help for the "typical" horse, but will give you a good idea of what should be going on.

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=4156

[angel]

One of the riders on that tape is pretty awful!:yes: I would not consider these horses very "green" either, just lower level.

[merrygoround]

Sadly, traing "greenies" deals with day to day minutiae, fun for the rider, boring for the onlooker. You may find you OTTB less of achallenge than you fear. Many have great starts already as there are some good trainers out there. OTY, I've met both the good, bad, and the awful. :yes: :yes:

[Elegante E]

One of the riders on that tape is pretty awful!:yes: I would not consider these horses very "green" either, just lower level.

Well there isn't much to do with a horse just under saddle.

2Boys - Green horses are all different so even if you watch vids, you may not see what you're expecting. I'd suggest your decision should be based on how the horse reacts: does the horse relax in the work, does he develope some foam on his mouth, and is he calm after a ride. My big thing is that the rider doesn't hold the horse's head up - young horses must find their own balance.

I'd suggest that you have her describe her training techniques and watch her ride. A bad trainer is pretty apparent. A mediocre one may be harder to tell. Just go with your gut, don't panic and ask lots of questions. Good luck.

Btw, did you do a youtube search? Just remembered this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OX-tVA5moI This horse is a wonderful mover but the constant head movement is pretty typical.

[2boys]

She has ridden him twice. From what I see, she seems to do a lot with her hands which worries me a little. But I don't trust my gut, because I am not necessarily the "expert" in this case at all. I have yet to bring an ottb up. He was foamy in his mouth, but he actually bolted a few times. He has been doing that a bit on the longe line lately, but not at all under saddle-until now. She explained it as a tanrum-him wanting to run through her, which makes sense. :confused:

[angel]

Reins are too short, and she is really holding him. This creates tremendous poll pressure, which is probably the cause of the bolting.

[2boys]

That is what I was thinking. She did some nice things getting him to stretch at the walk. But he is really forward at the trot, and that is when it gets a bit crazy. At this point, I am watching and thinking, "I could do at least this myself, I think"... I THINK...

[LegalEase]

The OP might want to get the USDF DVD The Development of the Dressage Horse. It's not exclusively greenies, but shows some lovely young horses and riders. It features Christoph Hess, Scott Hassler, and Steffen Peters. Well worth watching.

[STF]

Stop over thinking it... dont think of it as a breed issue either. I hate that cop out....
Just focus on getting the horse balanced and relaxed. I hate to say forward as people start rushing their horses into a fast choppy trot..... but a nice relaxed and leg swinging trot with balanced transitions is the key. Forward and "on the bit" (hate that term too) will come with time and strength. In the beginning the horse needs to go slightly in front of the vertical and long in the neck, teaching the horse to reach for the contact on a solid outside rein and come back up in the same tempo and balanced stride, just as you would in the transistions.
Good luck.
Dont over think it. Just follow the training pyrimad and all will work fine.

[Sabine]

All I can tell you- you probably can do this yourself- because if you can ride and have sticktoitness in your butt= then you don't need to hold on with your reins and that's the key with hot horses- they worry. Let them have the room to worry- talk to them and get the rides on him- so he doesn't worry. You can probably make him safe to ride yourself- and then go to a real trainer that knows the basics of real dressage training....ask them about the trainingscale- if they can recite that and speak to it- then you have a 50% chance of having the right trainer- next you have to see them ride. That part I really can't put into words...LOL!

[Elegante E]

No one can tell you what is going on just from that description. With mine, I know that there will be moments, especially at trot, where contact may look like a pulling match. This happens as I want the horse to go along a track and the horse resists - at trot the horse uses speed against you. The trick is to get them to give directionally enough to get at least near where you want them and then relax. It's not optimal but it happens with greenies who lack steering. If the trainer is worried about the horse bolting and the horse is NOT listenting to her, then she must and should do whatever it takes to control him.

If the horse is using speed against her, is she doing lots of transitions and large circles? Does she give readily once the horse cooperates?

Young horses can get really pissy when they are asked to work. A work ethic is something that is developed. If you allow too much, you'll never teach them. If you ask too much, you can push the horse over the edge. Fine line and hard to judge from the ground.

I would suggest the OP NOT do it herself unless she has brought along a baby already. The OP is hesitant and that says it all. Things can and will spiral out of control very fast and safety is the primary concern here. The horse sounds like he may be ready to bolt, that's dangerous and the horse must be taught it's not acceptable.

Another question, have you watched this trainer worked with more advanced horses? Is she overly strong with them? If not, then she is reacting to your horse's behavior.

Btw, I've never seen any training vids that have what I consider normal young horses in them. They always use over achievers or horses long under saddle, in terms of young horses. You won't get an idea of what to expect from them.