Hi there. I bought a 9-year-old Morgan mare, who is the great-great-great-granddaughter of a horse I owned in high school. Totally sentimental purchase, though she is a very sweet, nice mare. Before I bought her, the seller put 30 days of under-saddle training into her. I did ride her, twice, when I came out to see her, and she was well behaved, especially since I tried her next to a superhighway on a really windy day (my horse at home would have freaked). BUT… although i have had horses all my life, I have never really trained one. I have been looking for good books on starting the process–anyone have a favorite? Her ground manners are fine and she’s very used to being handled, and I think on the whole she’ll be pretty easy. But I want to do it right. Not planning to do a ton of showing with her (I’m a former eventer but I’m 64), although I noticed she jumps 4 feet without a qualm (she jumped out of one of my paddocks), and she’s a nice, nice mover. I’m also working with a good teacher. I’m just a word person and I would love to have some kind of training bible, but there are many of them and I’m not sure where to start. Thanks in advance for any advice!
I don’t have any expertise to offer, but I would like to put in a request for pictures! She sounds like a doll (with jumping talent, too)!
They are both beautiful! I love a horse that is game to do anything. Sounds like your new mare has a good head on her shoulders, too.
I have a Morgan mare too! Love her! No real advice other than I found my Morgan mare to be a real trier, but would not put up with being asked incorrectly or unkindly. She has made me a much better rider! I have finally really learned to ride off my seat with her
The books I used for training are:
“Schooling Your Horse” by Vladimir Littauer.
“Training Hunters, Jumpers and Hacks” by Harry D.Chamberlin.
“Schooling for Young Riders” by John Richard Young.
The first two set out schooling rationals, give a reasonably realistic view of how long it can take (for a good rider), and clear goals.
Littauer’s schooling as described takes about 9 months, it aims towards having a fox hunter or for show competition in hunter classes (rather the hunter classes in the 1970s on TBs).
Chamberlin’s course takes 2 years (he was in the US Cavalry) and includes shoulder-ins and preparation for possible use as more a dressage horse after the initial two years of training, or for training further for international competition.
The John Richard Young book is about he and his daughter training a spoiled (pet yearling) young stallion.
All these books helped me more with training my horses than any other books. They do not use the current fads, they are simply filled with that thing that is so rare now, GOOD HORSEMANSHIP. You will not ruin your horse by following these books.
Just had to comment what a cool story! I love it! She is beautiful, have fun!
Complete Training of the Horse and Rider by Alois Podhasky has always been a favorite of mine but truthfully, I have gotten most of my knowledge from hands on experience. I can tell you to train that horse just like any other green horse. Assume steering/leg/seat and other aids are unknown and go from there.
Lessons with Lendon, by Lendon Gray. It’s a series of articles she wrote (I think for Practical Horseman) compiled into a book. Easy to understand bites of info with pictures for each lesson. Very good for beginner horse training.
Oh wow! I have a 9 year old former broodmare who is 2 months into having a job. Hope to fox hunt and do some super, super low level stuff with. This will be a good thread for me to follow also. I have pro help but want to make sure I’m not going to ruin it…lol.
If she seems safe hacking out, I would do a lot of that rather than drills in the arena. I have always found it helpful to identify a goal for every ride and work on that, then quit or head out for a nice walk once you make progress.
Henry Wynmalen’s Equitation is one of my staples, though if you’re thinking more of a dressage focus I have other suggestions as well.
She sounds like a doll, congratulations!
Ingrid Klimke’s book is one of my favourites: https://www.horseandriderbooks.com/product/BATR3E.html
She provides a good explanation of the schedule she typically follows for a young horse, as well as useful cavalleti and pole exercises to test and encourage your progress.
While yours is not young in age, she is young in experience. I would encourage you to take your time and allow her to build strength slowly but thoroughly.
