My "baby" went to trainer today

[ladyluck]

Wish me luck my 16'3" three-year-old is off to learn how to be a real horse. He's out of my much loved Dutch (Patrick) mare and the sire is a Friesian (Darktanion). He's probably my only baby as I've learned how much hard work it is to raise one (my hats off to you breeders who do this year after year). Hubby remarked that it is a lot like sending a kid to summer camp, let's hope he comes home with a new outlook on life!

[FancyFree]

It *is* like they're going to be a "real" horse. I didn't have to send mine out as the trainer is at my stables. We've just started a few days ago. I also bred my mare, so this is my baby. It's so fascinating to watch. She has moments of being a grown-up horse that are so great to see. I can glimpse the horse she's going to be. I love, love, love my trainer which really helps the situation.

Good luck with yours. Remember to bring your video camera! :)

[Leena]

Best of luck and I hope for the best experience !!!! Once this past, how wonderfull it feels to sit on them !!!!!

[inca]

Good luck!

I take my 3-yr-old to the trainer on Thursday. She is baby #4 for me but I got lucky and sold baby #3 right before she had to be started under saddle. Baby #2 is now 8 years old so it's been a LONG time since I had to ride a barely broke horse. Am NOT looking forward to it. Wish I had the $$$ to leave her for about 4 months but if she is doing okay will need to bring her home after 2 months.

When are you going to visit?

[ladyluck]

I only live about 10 miles from trainer so I plan on visiting this weekend. I am interested in other's experience in how long you left your babies. I was planning on 60 days and working him lightly trail, some arena. Then in the future sending him to a dressage specific trainer for more serious work. I don't want to stretch family finances too much as Mr. Ladyluck may lose patience, so this seemed like a reasonable plan.

[FancyFree]

I only live about 10 miles from trainer so I plan on visiting this weekend. I am interested in other's experience in how long you left your babies. I was planning on 60 days and working him lightly trail, some arena. Then in the future sending him to a dressage specific trainer for more serious work. I don't want to stretch family finances too much as Mr. Ladyluck may lose patience, so this seemed like a reasonable plan.

Stretching the finances! Yes tell me about it. I'm planning on keeping her in training until June/July. Then like you we're going to a trainer who is specifically dressage.

[ladyluck]

Got back from watching the trainer ride him and I'm thrilled. He was a good citizen, knew his cues, looked like he enjoyed his job. Whew what a relief. He even looked like a dressage horse! Mr. Ladyluck was impressed. Now I can't wait to ride him myself.

BTW any of you who make a living starting babies.... I have a new found respect.

[inca]

Glad it is going well!

I talked to the trainer yesterday and my poor 3-yr-old is getting sent home early. She is VERY slight of build and he said she just has NO IDEA where her feet are or how to move with someone on her. So she will stay for a few more weeks to get her ground work confirmed and moving nicely forward with the saddle on at trot and canter on the longe line. But, she is just not ready to be ridden. I will bring her home, continue with her groundwork and then we will re-evaluate things in the fall. But, she may be one that needs another year to grow and then be started at 4.


I told my husband she was flunking out of kindergarten and being sent home and he thought that was hysterical. :-)

[mutable]

Inca, sorry to hear your girl was sent home. How is she progressing with the ground work?

I just sent my 3 1/2 year old to his trainer this past weekend. I think he looks like he's on the edge of not quite ready, but I know mentally he's more than ready, and the trainer assures me that after a few weeks of ground work and backing, he'll start to fill out. I'm so excited! He'll be with her for 2, maybe 3 months, then I take him back and go right into lessons with my trainer.

Do we have a dressage baby starting under saddle 2008 clique or group? It would be fun to read updates!

[merrygoround]

Glad it is going well!

I talked to the trainer yesterday and my poor 3-yr-old is getting sent home early. She is VERY slight of build and he said she just has NO IDEA where her feet are or how to move with someone on her. So she will stay for a few more weeks to get her ground work confirmed and moving nicely forward with the saddle on at trot and canter on the longe line. But, she is just not ready to be ridden. I will bring her home, continue with her groundwork and then we will re-evaluate things in the fall. But, she may be one that needs another year to grow and then be started at 4.


I told my husband she was flunking out of kindergarten and being sent home and he thought that was hysterical. :-)

Don't worry. Three is early. Another summer, and some ground work, will work wonders. :yes:

[FancyFree]

Inca that's too bad, but it sounds like you have a good trainer for him to realize that about your horse. Three is still young. My horse will be four this summer and she's just now going to start under saddle. I don't think she would have been ready at three either. She'd have been another kindergarten flunk out. ;)

[bright hope]

Ladyluck, Where are you located?I am in East Texas and am looking at sending my 4 year old to a trainer for 30 or 60 days. I am looking for a trainer somwhat close to me... Thanks!

[WBLover]

inca, kudos to your trainer for recognizing that she wasn't ready and not just starting her anyways!! That is a trainer that has true horsemanship!

My boy was sent to the trainers Friday night. We had already been lunging well at w-t-c and over some ground poles before he went. She is doing her own assessment of when he will be ready to back, and is doing things on her own time. I'm very glad for that, that's what I'm paying her for! We are thinking 60 days ought to be enough time to have him going at least w-t. She's an eventer, so I think he'll come back with some idea of bit acceptance and going in an intro level bearing.

He's a Friesian/WB cross also, ladyluck, do you have any pictures? This is SO exciting, isn't it??

[FancyFree]

He's a Friesian/WB cross also, ladyluck, do you have any pictures? This is SO exciting, isn't it??

Yes pictures?

Not to hijack, but I'm curious how many of you are going to continue working with a trainer after your babies get started? I plan on getting her going then working with someone a few times a week.

[WBLover]

For the rest of this year, I'm just going to hack and play around with him, nothing serious or frequent, as he's just 3. Then I'll give him this winter off, and then next spring/summer I'll take lessons and clinic here and there to keep us on track. Then NEXT fall/winter in his 4th year, I may send him to a dressage trainer to step things up a bit.

[SBClancy]

My 17 hand baby spent two months in SC with the trainer. Best investment in the horse I ever made. He was ready mentally and physically to start some serious training. I am thrilled with the horse I have back. I will continue with the trainer and hopefully next winter I'll be able to sent him back for another two months. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that next winter I'll be able to send him for another two months.

[ladyluck]

I live in far Northern California. I will not continue to train with this person only because her focus is really western, but she has a wonderful understanding of how to bring along a young one. I absolutely can not wait to get on him and feel what he's got.

Inca, sorry about a small disappointment but I'm sure the year will pass quickly and baby will be "all growed up soon."

[SBClancy]

Inca,

My gelding that just came back from boot camp is 6. I had the same issues about him not being ready both physically and mentally. He still has issues about where his feet are but overall he was definitely ready for boot camp. I plan on having this horse for a very long time so I think it's worth the wait. You'll know when the time is right to send him back for training and he'll get so much more out of it by waiting until he's physically ready. And you'll be much happier with the horse you get back.

[Bottom Line]

Big Step! I'm with ya!

We just sent a 3 year old to a professional- but we have high hopes for her... I couldn't ever take her as far as this trainer. All the best! Just think of how fun it will be watching them as they grow with a professional!!!

[bright hope]

Ladtluck, I recently saw your babies sire (Darktanion) at a show here in East Texas. Wow he is a looker and such a nice boy! My gelding is by Rampart and out of a Andalusian/Thoroughbred mare. i can't wait to start really going with him. :) I have been on my guy about 6 or 7 times and he is great, but I just want someone else to ride out the spooks, snorts, and goofy stuff that a baby does... I tend to splat instead of bounce anymore.. :)

[inca]

I don't really mind about my baby being sent home. I suspected she wasn't really ready. But she had only been off my farm a handful of times so it was good for her to go somewhere and learn she does have to "work" for a living. And she is LAZY so they are working on instilling FORWARD (and respect for the aids) on the longe line. So, hopefully I won't have to fight that battle as much when she gets home. I will continue with the ground work and then most likely wait until next spring when she is 4 to get her really started under saddle. But, this way, she is at least familiar with the concept of work and someone being on her.

Only bummer is that she is for sale and unstarted 3-yr-olds aren't exactly a hot commodity - LOL! But, she is pretty adorable and super easy to handle on a daily basis so I don't mind that she will be hanging around my farm for a while longer.

I have 3 other horses to ride so I am perfectly happy not having a 4th horse to ride right now!

[Daldove]

Lady luck, Congrats! I know your baby will do splended at the trainers! All Darktanion babies do! :D I'd love to see pics of your baby if you don't mind. I love seeing how Darktanion babies turn out. ;)

Bright Hope, may I ask which show you saw our boy at? I'm glad you liked him. We think he's quite handsome too. LOL ;)