KBR Horse Training Information Exercising Body AND Mind Training Horses the "Wal-Mart" Way Part Three

Training with Boat Bumpers Our objective is whenever possible to make the training process safe for both horse and trainer. As long as we can control the stress and challenges facing the horse, we can help the horse respond more predictably and make the training process easier on the animal. Some horses that are just being started have a hard time with both the visual stimulus and contact (feel) of the rider's legs on their sides. This stress tends to inhibit their response to rein cues and can lead to runaways or bucking. We prefer to work out these issues before mounting up. Tony found an ideal tool in Wal-Mart's Sporting Goods Department. They sell neoprene boat bumpers in various sizes that do a great job simulating riders' legs. We merely need to add some string and spring loaded clips (found in the Hardware Dept.) We usually start out by attaching them to longeing circingles and then to the riggings of saddles. The horse can then work out any issues with the bouncing bumpers while on the longe line. For a complete discussion on using boat bumpers, please click Here.

Attwood boat bumpers Bumpers on the circingle

Feels like legs!

We can even "double up"

Back to the grocery bags Horses need to get used to fluttering sounds coming from the rider's area. We like to use plastic grocery bags for this purpose. We start out simple, tying a couple of empty bags to various points on the circingle or saddle. Then we put the horse through his paces. The bags will flutter and balloon as the horse is asked to pick up speed. Once the horse is sufficiently calm with the empty bags, we fill them with things that will rustle and make noise. Empty Sam's Choice beverage cans (or their equivalent) work quite fine. Then later we may even drop a small stone in each can to increase the movement and noise coming from the bags, changing the position of the bags as the horse gets used to the exercise. Continue to Part Four Return to Part Two

Running with empty bags Bags filled with empty cans

Important Note: If you take on the project of developing an untrained horse, everybody will want to give you advice. Don't act on any advice, including the ideas offered in this site, unless it makes sense to you and fits your individual situation. Your abilities and the sensitivities of your horse(s) may differ from the examples given. Be alert and rational with your actions so neither you nor your horse will get hurt. This information is offered as illustrations of what we do and the reader must apply common sense since he or she is solely responsible for his or her actions. Happy trails! Press "Back" to return to the page that brought you here Go to Case Study Section Return to Training Section Return to Wild Horse Mentors Return to KBR World of Wild Horses and Burros Go To KBR Horse Net KBR Horse Training Information, © 2005 Lamm's Kickin' Back Ranch and Willis & Sharon Lamm. All rights reserved. Duplication of any of this material for commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. This prohibition is not intended to extend to personal non-commercial use, including sharing with others for safety and learning purposes, provided this copyright notice is attached. Email us to submit comments or request reproduction permission.