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Comment by Charline Brand on August 15, 2011 at 9:49pm

Thanks Darryl!  Now I have to find a good one!!  YAYYY!!!!!!

 

Comment by Darryl Leifheit on August 15, 2011 at 9:03pm

Speaking from experience yes you can retrain a saddle seat trained horse.  Proof is in the pudding as they say.  I've got a former five gaited Saddlebred that excels in combined driving.  He can do driven dressage nicely.  However, because he is a bigger mover we took him to the higher levels quickly where he fits in better than at the lower levels.  The Intermediate and Advanced horses in ridden or driven dressage are asked for more action and elevation than lower levels.  So for my horse, a former 5 gaited champion, he fit better there, at higher levels and he scores better with the judges.  He really excels at the marathon with hazards and on the cones obstacle course.

Comment by Marge Mullen on August 15, 2011 at 2:29pm

Hi Charline,

I am not sure what Lexi's former training was but I can check with his owner.  I can tell you that any Saddlebred can be retrained to do the sport horse disciplines.

A CP Saddlebred will take less work than the other gaited Saddlebreds. 

I would start out with some ground work over ground poles, an all purpose saddle and a french link snaffle bit.  Ground work on the lunge with no side reins or if you do use them make sure they are loose. 

The key to all of this is to teach her to lower her head and round her back which means long and low.

Facing her to a fence with you along side her hold her head and use you finger to touch her side where your heel would go and ask her to step to the side,  If she takes one step release and try again.  She will eventualy learn to sidepass.  Playing with her in her paddock teach her to turn on her haunches and forehand.

One of the best training methods is to trail ride her with a seasoned trail horse and working her up and dlown inclines and hills.  If she wants to put her head down to smell the ground let her.  This is one of the best stretching exceries for her.

Having her stretch down for treats is also fun.  The goal here is to be able to ride her on what we call "the buckle."

There is much more I can share with you so email me at redmm97@cox.net

 

Comment by Charline Brand on August 15, 2011 at 11:36am

AWESOME!!!!  What disciplines had Lexi been trained in before?  I am looking at a prospect, but she has done Country Pleasure the last 5 years so I am wondering how hard it will be to somewhat deprogram that.  Input?