Training: Basics & Tricks

The training at Tintagel Enterprises, Ltd.

The training we do here is varied but all comes from the same dressage base on the same principles. The horses must be calm, pain-free, happy, straight and forward. All these things go together and happen congruently. No matter what breed it is the basics stay the same although the approach and timing may change depending on the character, build and temperament of each animal. Most of the horses start learning basic liberty which gives a more controlled way of free working the horse. This work establishes hierarchy safely and subtly, instills trust, and is a good way to observe the horse and it’s particular way of learning. The horses also do a lot of ground exercises involving different obstacles that teach them more confidence and to be very aware and respectful of human space. Also involved is in-hand work in halter and in the bridle, for the more advanced horses, to start learning body basics of correct bending and stepping under and crossing with the hind legs.

For some particularly tough or fractious horses some degree of round penning may be used if the animal is not controllable enough to get in close to work with. Some horses may also need more bodywork in conjunction with the start of work if they have some physical issues. This may involve T.E.A.M. work and other various methods of body awareness in movement.

The under saddle work starts very slowly with lots of continued in-hand work as a preface then most of the youngsters are not ridden off a bit until they have confidence with the rider. Horse are not broken to saddle until such a time as their skeletal and musculature system is ready. Most of the young stock here get the basics started at three but don’t really start to work steadily under a rider until four or five.

Most of the previously trained horses that come to Tintagel tend to go through these same levels of progression so they have the level of trust, obedience and confidence that we require.

The tricks are an added specialty that we do here and serve many purposes. First they provide a completely non-habitual exercise for the horse to do which helps expand them mentally and subtly increases obedience and increases balance and proprioception. Some moves also are very good for physically stretching both the distal limbs and axial trunk. Care is given so the horse is never asked to go beyond what it can comfortably do, over months and years their flexibility increases dramatically. Tricks like the pedestal mount are also very powerful strengtheners for the abdominals and will aid under saddle work tremendously. The tricks also bring out a real sense of play with the horses and are very helpful bringing out personality in horses that are shut down or have some past traumatic issues.

Many of our trick trained horse have been sold for commercial/exhibition work and the extra level of groundwork helps them be happy and comfortable in doing some of the exotic work and keeps both them and the handler safe in crowed close quarters. Certain tricks are never taught to some animals if Sarah feels it will not be safe for the owner to handle. Safety for horse and handler always comes first.