In the last year I have gone from 6 horses to 2. The last two horses I have are 3 years old; with all my other responsibilities, they are not broke out. In the past I have started a couple of young ones, both of them I worked with from the time they were born. This time, however, even though these two were born here, I have not really worked with them. They are terrible for the farrier and don't have the best manners. Mind you, they aren't horrible to be around when you lead them with a halter or if you are working in the pasture. The dilema is this:
1. Can't seem to find enough time to get out daily and work them.
2. When I do work them, I am not sure that I am doing it right. I just don't want to train them with a cue and have them be re-trained because I did it wrong (different).
3. I need them to be "kid" safe as my daughter wants to show next year. I don't expect that she will be showing either of these two, however, I am trying to keep in mind that it may be possible that one of them (or both of them) will end up in the show ring.
4. Brings me back to #1; I know I HAVE to find time to work them daily.
5. Can't afford a trainer right now...maybe late winter? Please note the word maybe... :)
6. If I do find the money for a trainer...how to choose one? I have had a couple of trainers and most of them were not the best experience for my horses (or me). There is a good trainer locally that I used once before, but she is very busy and now she works mostly with Andalusions/Crosses.
I have access to RFD TV where I have been watching a lot of different trainers...I find that I really like Ken McNabb and Clinton Anderson. I try to pick up different tips and tricks from them, but not easy to do from a short show. Clinton seems to have a great way of teaching, but I can't seem to find the money now...his DVD's are very expensive.
What techniques or trainers do you use and reccommend? I know that your trainers are probably nowhere near me, but how do you choose a good trainer? It seems every time I ask other people around here, no one has anything nice to say about anyone else. If you do your own training, did you have a mentor (how did you find one) or are you self taught and where is the best source for information?
