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 Since
returning from cowboyin' in Wyoming, working our horses gathering,
moving, and sorting cattle everyday on the high mountain range of
western Wyoming, our ponies are now resting and the string we left home
out to pasture are being started back up again. We like to see how our
horses respond once they are brought back into a riding routine after a
couple weeks' lay-off. Many weekend warriors never get the chance to
appreciate the way their horses act when ridden on a consistent basis.
In our program, it takes us giving them that time off to find out how
really solid they are as individuals. We always say to give you
and your horse the courtesy of a warm-up period after a lay-off, as it
is only common sense. If you are not horseman enough to handle your horse
when he's fresh without creating a wreck, then by all means spend a few
minutes in the round pen prior to saddling, or even work them saddled
& bit up as well. It'll build your confidence as well as your
horse's.
No matter how long you have been riding, be smart,
keep your good horse acting good, and ensure your safety with these two
basic pointers:
· Always
be aware of your horse and evaluate his mood & responsiveness
by doing some ground work to
re-establish leadership through a short
session in the round pen or turn out
pen. Encourage him to blow off some
steam, then end the session when
he is submissive and attentive, giving
you total respect.
·
Depending on your level of competence and the cooperative nature of
your horse, you can always spend an
additional few minutes working him
after being saddled and bit up, prior
to mounting. It makes no sense to be
prideful and jeopardize your health,
because even reliable "Ole Sorrely"
can stuff your head in the dirt on
the wrong day.
Back to the string we rode in Wyoming, we found that the day in
and day out routine and taxing work that is expected of them often
caused them to be a little turned off when caught the next day to be
saddled. The ranch cowboys create a good working relationship with
their mounts by graining them when they tie them up for saddling every
morning. This encourages the horses to want be caught, and gives them
the added carbohydrates they will soon be burning off.
The average horse owner doesn't work their horses
enough to need to grain them, but the idea of "treating" them
after they're caught and prior to riding does have its merit in making
the things you want them to do (like being caught) be comfortable &
easy. Just as the things you don't want them to do should be
uncomfortable and difficult, like wanting to return to the barn,
becoming "barn sour". For that reason, we still tie our
horses for up to an hour, or longer! religiously, upon returning home
after riding out. Again, this keeps the horse's priorities in order and
them dependent on us as their keeper, guardian and
"leader". Remember, never grain or "treat" your
horse after a ride!
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