How long does it take to start a horse under saddle?

[Kyzteke]

I sent a 6 yr old mare who had plenty of handling, but no u/s work or actual “training” to a dressage pro for 90 days.

When I picked her up she was WTC both directions, getting the correct lead 95% of the time, and reaching for the contact. She was still on the FH alot, but most of that was a fitness issue, I think, since she was only ridden 3 x a week. The other day was lunging and the 5th day was free-jumping. She had 2 days a week off.

This mare had never been in a working barn before or stalled (she had already had 2 foals), so the first 45 days were spent getting her to FOCUS instead of going around the arena bleating like a lost little lamb for her buddies.

This trainer is considered one of the best YH trainers in the West, at least for dressage, so mileage may vary.

This video was taken the day I picked her up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmGztGTKZzM

I’m thinking your trainer may be taking alittle too much time, but maybe there are issues?

If not, I would sit down and chat with trainer and have an honest talk about a timeline for training and what the trainer would expect to achieve in your (budgeted) timeframe. Nothing wrong with looking elsewhere, athough keep in mind “quick” is not always better.

But I’m sure you know that.

I have to add after reading some more of your posts that, in my situation, the “90 days” were training days, not necessarily sequential days in which my mare was boarded there. In other words, she whacked her leg on the metal gate and was abit off, so the trainer gave her a week off. Although I paid for board for that week, I did NOT pay for training. Ditto for the week when the trainer went out of state for a show. Your trainer should be able to account for every training day in the “program” and THAT is what you pay for. Board is different. For instance, I know some trainers offer Half-Training, in which they only train 3 days a week. Full Training is usually 5 days a week.

This sort of thing is going to make a difference in the actual time spent in training.

[Freebird]

Here’s a video of my last training horse, the very day he arrived at the farm. Prior to that day he had worn a saddle once, and been bridles but not ground driven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZILXsFSRy4

[charliesangel]

So jealous of these horses doing so well in the videos after just a few months, thanks for sharing! I have had plenty of talks about timelines…the last was in mid-sept and I was told it would be 6-8 weeks. Its very hard communicating with the trainer though as there was always some excuse. I am definitely not looking for a “quick fix”. The trainer I am leaning more towards actually has a 90 day program…which after 7 months I think is ample time. If not, then something is seriously wrong with my horse, which I doubt. And trust me that I am not one of those owners that thinks their horse is perfect, she is honestly very sweet, willing, smart and calm. The contract, paperwork, etc. did not specify # days of training, the trainer specified that most horses are ready to go back home after 3-4 months. It didn’t even specify how many days per week was considered full-training (which she is in). Seriously, I am not this naive usually, as I mentioned her came HIGHLY recommended by several people from all over. There were two months I got a slight reduction due to weather and the trainer being gone…but it wasn’t anything significant, and it wasn’t every month that something occurred.

[Summit_Springs_Farm]

[QUOTE=Perfect Pony;5208158]
Honestly, if I were you, I would just take her home, go back to light groundwork for the winter with some time off, let her grow up, then send her off to a good hunter trainer in the spring when she is 4.

It doesn’t sound like you really trust this trainer all that much, and if your horse has been there 6 months and you are having communication issues, just move on. It’s FAR from the worst thing you can do for the mare. If she is accepting tack and the weight of the rider on her back and turning and going forward from the leg, that’s all you need.

I disagree that starting youngsters is really that hard, I think they are way easier than dealing with a horse with bad training. It’s certainly an art and a specific skill, but 90% of horses are so trusting and willing and want to do the right thing, that’s why the training usually goes pretty quickly.

Anyway, that’s just my .02. I think the best thing is to take some time off and move on to a trainer you trust and have a better relationship with next year.[/QUOTE]

THIS^^^^^^^!!!

[Flash44]

We always get on them the first day or so if possible, if only sitting on them. There is no difference between putting a saddle on a horse and putting a rider on. Ground work at the beginning of the session to include long lining, then get on them and repeat what was done on the ground. Not physically rushing the horse under tack - this depends on the age and maturity level of the horse. But you should be wtc within 6 weeks and w/t over poles and the horse should hack out as well. The horse should also stand for bathing, clipping, vacuuming, load on the trailer, etc. It is more a process of teaching the horse to calmly accept new things than a specific “today we are leaning to bathe” or “today we are learning to load” thing. If you have a solid teaching program, you should be able to use the same methodology to accomplish multiple purposes.

[dmarie]

I know this is an old post, but just had to reply. I had a horse in training several hours from my home; I visited weekly or biweekly and the trainer put on a good show as far as what he was doing with the horse. I only wanted a trail/camping horse, so it wasn’t a difficult task. He was a four year old rocky, very smart, willing, and able. This guy wanted him as a show horse for his benefit and trained him for that; was never exposed to other horses, or even trails at all. After over four months with little progress, I brought him home where I could see him every day and work with him myself. Come to find out from very experienced trainers, the horse wasn’t worked 6 out of 7 days like I had been told; there was no muscle to substantiate that claim. The horse had no ground manners and didn’t even know what you were doing when you put a saddle on him, but when I “visited” he was much calmer. They believe he was aced. So when you are not there to see the progress of your horse on a daily basis, trainers tend to lie and take your money because you’re not there checking on the horse daily. That was my experience recently, and I can’t tell you how mad it makes me. I trusted this guy and paid him a lot of money with no return at all. Keep your horse close and monitor what is being done with him on a daily basis! Learned my lesson, but it was costly He is on the right path now though.

[SaddleFitterVA]

Barring some serious issues…like the horse was perhaps nearly feral…I would expect walk, trot, and canter, with lots of long hacks out, starting trails at walk only, adding in trot when the horse is calm, and also some basic cross rails and small fences after 6 months.

But, I’ve been in a barn with a great young horse trainer for almost a year.

I’ve watched him start everything from little Arabians to fancy warmbloods even a giant Clydesdale. Some take a little longer than others, but they all are pretty solid with basic steering, basic transitions, leads, and most have gone over cross rails, and have spent lots of time on hacks, at 90 days.