"... I am about to undergo the task of haltering and leading my five month old filly. Just wondering if you would have any helpful hints. "...

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Chad,

Not knowing how much experience you've had around horses or colts, the best thing I could tell you is take your time. Set aside a whole morning so as not to be in a rush or disturbed,keep the little gal calm, gain her trust a bit. If she gets to running about her stall in fear, she may very well hurt herself. Careful when putting on the halter, these little guy's are quick. Don't get your face in too close to his or you just may end up with a broken nose. Make sure you have an extra long lead rope, this will give you enough to wrap around his back end if you wish to do so, personally I do not prefer that method.Reason being the colt's I receive may have had little to no handing up until this point and them little hooves can sting a bit. But, long enough so if he pulls back or tries to rear or flip or kick out, you have a enough lead to stay a safe but effective distance away. And, last but not least Chad, remember horse training is nothing more than getting your horse to give to pressure. The main thing to keep in mind is when you apply pressure to walk he gives and takes a step, when he does release immedietly. Pressure step release, pressure step release....get the picture?

Good Luck Chad good question.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...I'm trying to work a new gelding into a five horse herd. I think we'd be OK but but a young mare and older gelding are just hateful. They drive him off. Any tricks of the trade??"...

 

 

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Vicki,

Hi and thanks for the question. Anytime you bring a new horse into an established herd you will always have some type of confrontation or conflict between the herd and the new horse. However, this is natural behavior for the horses to establish a pecking order in the herd. One of the reasons that we still have our beloved horses around today is for the simple fact that just as we as people have the President to make certain decisions, horses have an alpha to ensure their safety. My point is that this is natural behavior for horses that has gone on for hundreds, of years and will continue in the animal world.

Although we understand that this is natural behavior we also would not like our domesticated horses hurt or injured with this behavior if we can help it. A couple of things that I feel can be done to try to lesson the number of accidents or injuries while this pecking order is being established is as follows:

1. Don't be so quick to separate if the horses are displaying pecking order behavior. Let them, if at all possible, work through it. I would only separate if you witness extreme behavior such as non-stop charging with head down, bearing teeth or malicious rearing pawing and striking for extended period of time.

2. When it comes feeding time I would not feed the horses all in one spot while introducing any new ones into the heard for the alpha may take this as a threat to the heard and will increase the chances of confrontation. Feed in separate spots in the pasture.

3. Avoid feeding treats, carrots, sweet feed, etc in between feeding times as this will definitely lead to confrontation.

4. Make sure that there is ample amount of water in at least 2 spots in the turnout 3 would be better.

5. If you are working the horses on a regular basis or riding, take the alpha mare out with the new horse on the trail whenever possible. While out, if the only other horse around is the new one she will tend to accept him faster for it is the only other horse around to ensure her safety.

5b. Example: if you were to be stranded on a deserted island and the only other person there was someone you did not wish to communicate with under normal circumstances, I guarantee you that this person would soon become your best friend.

See my point?

Good Luck Vicki and keep me posted

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...what else can I teach my yearling? I have a whole another year before I can actually start riding her, so if there is anything else I could do on the ground would be great!"...

 

Dear George.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come over and help me out with my filly. I can't tell you how nice it is to go out and walk with her on my side and not have her climb on me. I would like to congratulate you on Wendy Creek Horse's new facility. It's coming together nicely. I can't wait to send the first of four colts over to you for your personal touch and expertise. You have a wonderful gift with horses and for anyone who is reading this I would like you to know if looking for a trainer to start your colt, George Fembres is it! Once again thank you, George. I look forward to riding the first of my colts.

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Jamie,

I am glad to have had the opportunity to make it out and spend some time with your filly. I appreciate the pleasant feed back and am looking forward to tracking your success with her in the future. Once again thank you and good luck.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"... I have had 4 horse trainers come out to "break" her. None had any luck."...

 

I have a horse that was very abused prior to me. I have had 4 horse trainers come out to "break" her. None had any luck. After one year I cannot get a halter on her still. She is a kind horse, not mean but what could I do to work with her? It took me one year for her to trust me enough to let me touch her. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Sarah,

I think it's a really unfortunate situation. I do not know which four trainers went out and worked with her but I would say that after a year and four trainers the horse should at least be riding at some level. As a matter of fact I'm quite curious to see this horse that five people still have no luck after a year to get a halter on. I would like a shot at her as a last resort, if not, I think the best thing to do would be to give her to someone that knows her vices and is willing to take on the challenge. You do not need to get hurt.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...Is he just not collected enough and bending enough?"...

 

I just rode a young horse for a friend, I've only been on him twice, and today loped him for the 1st time. He'll go in a small circle fine for 3/4 ways, then drops his back lead and cross-fires.....I break him back down and lope him again, only for him to drop it again 1/2 way 'round the circle. Is he just not collected enough and bending enough? He's young and totally strung out.....

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Hello Kathy,

First of all, I would do the obvious which is make sure all wheels are sound. No feet problems, hot nails, stifle, hip, etc.. If all are thoroughly checked, and no bone or joint problems,

we move forward.

I would make sure the colt is lunged good and slow. Walk, trot, and canter at least 20 minutes each way. While doing so, check and see if the colt is misfiring . If he is not my first thought would be during his initial rides someone was either forcing the lead departure and maybe using too much leg which could cause the colt to be nervous and not quite know what you are asking of him. Now don't get me wrong, by no means am I implying riding skills of the person who started him but, this would be the first thing that popped into my mind.

At any rate I would start fresh, working the shoulder, the barrel, and the hips. By this I mean slow exercises a little bit at a time just freeing up the body parts. Once the colt is relaxed when you ask for a little give in the shoulders, little side pass and hip is moving around freely. Now you can go back to your small trot circles until he is relaxed. This is a crucial point. Do not rush. Once you've got him relaxed and in good frame at the trot, you can ease into him and ask for the canter. Remember, set him up properly for that departure. If you did your shoulder, barrel, and hip exercises he should feel no stress when you open up that shoulder and close that hip for your departure. If he gets it don't pull, kick, spur, squeeze, laugh, giggle. Nothing just sit there quietly and let him relax and canter. I would be doing so in the round pen until its second nature for him. Then arena work.

Good luck Kathy! Let me know how this works for you.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...We would appreciate any info for helping get his trust. Have been trying for over a year now. "...

 

Hi,

My daughter has a horse we got from a rescue. He has no trust of people and is very hard to work with. He gets very frightened when you do anything with him and he has thrown her 3 times.

He is about 11 years old and is over 16 hands, very large and muscular. She can't pull his head because he is so strong. She cannot kick his sides because he over reacts and bucks. I do not want to get rid of him but, if he continues this behavior I will not have a choice as I do not want my daughter or anyone else hurt. I feel so bad for this guy. We would appreciate any info for helping get his trust. Have been trying for over a year now. Thanks in advance, Lordi

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Lordi,

Thanks for the question. While reading this question the first thing that comes to my mind is the safety of your daughter. Being that the horse is 11 years old and comes from a rescue, you never really know what has gone on in his past. This makes things difficult even for the best of trainers. With your daughter in mind, the best thing to do would be to get rid of him and spend your daughters time and energy on a horse that better suits her needs. Something that she can enjoy and learn on as well as take a ton of worry off your mind. So bottom line, definitely get rid of the horse and find something safe.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...Hi, what do you think is a reasonable amount of time for a two year old to develop nice slow and relaxed comfortable gaits?

"...

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Hello Janet,

First of all, I believe that during your ground work process which consists of a month or two of getting your colt gentle under saddle your transitions from walk to trot and trot to canter would be worked on during this time. When it comes time to climb aboard it will make your job much easier. The first couple rides all I ask for is forward motion not too much pulling or stopping. Once the colt is comfortable with you aboard then you can start to ask for more speed. Now, all colts are different. I had some trot right out and proceed right into the canter on the correct lead on the third ride. While others take a week or two to settle in. The colts that take a little more time are just a little nervous by nature, don't rush them.

On an average over the years I would say that when a colt is in to be started, it is expected of me that the colt go back after 90 days. He should be loping circles soft to the left right and middle. So the answer to your question would be 90 days. If you are having problems with your colt loping nice easy circles and transitions are rough, get a soft rope about 12 foot long put the rope around his neck and down through the curb chain and start him trotting circles around you. Make sure you keep your feet planted in one spot. If he is not in frame meaning hind end slightly under him head flexed at the poll and slightly turned inward in the direction he's traveling, give a slight pull on the rope until his head comes in. Keep doing so until he is soft and relaxed then transition into the canter until soft and relaxed. Keep doing so in both directions for a few days prior to riding. This helps tremendously and will help you out if you are having any problems with not so easy transitions.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"...He turned two in June and we are starting to back him."...

 

Hello,

I jsut bought a 2 year old Oldenburg. The vet said to take it slow and give him the winter off. He turned two in June and we are starting to back him. What do you recommend for work for a two year old. He is 16.3 and the vet said he may get to 17.1. I just bought him and his x-rays were good and I would like to keep it that way.

Thanks!

 

 

George Fimbres' Answer:

 

Well hello Deborah,

First of all thanks for the question.

I think the vet is absolutely correct, in that your horse is gonna be a 'biggin' and has a lot of muscle and bone growth to do yet, just to catch up with his size now, not to mention the little fella got off to a bit of a late start being a June baby. I personally think it's a blessing in disguise. First of all, seeing that you are not pushed for time, or on a pace for a futurity, you have four months of nice weather to really put him through series of sensitivity training. Get him used to everything you can think of, cans, cars, bags, traffic, hauling, loading, saddling, clipping, pots, pans, blow-dryers, whatever... well maybe not blowdryers but you get the picture. In the end this will make a much better horse to be around. Second, your round pen work can be done very easy and under control, but remember Deb stay away from a lot of work at a fast pace and tight turning circles. This will only defeat the purpose of you giving him time for correct growth period. Work on nice easy poetic like departures, no resistance, and calm and collected.

Heck, young lady I think I'm jealous. I think in a perfect world we should all have the time to do so like you..Happy Horsin Deb.

Let me know how your doing.

 

Thanks

George Fimbres

Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"what else can I teach my yearling? I have a whole another year before I can actually start riding her, so if there is anything else I could do on the ground would be great!"

Hello,
I have a yearling paint filly I have been working with for the past month now. She is an amazingly quick learner, and in just a few weeks, she has covered almost everything on the ground. We lead perfectly, we disengage the hindquarters, shoulder over, lunge both ways, she is respectful of my space, she has been desensitized to everything, such as ropes, balls, hula hoops, cars, dogs, etc. She accepts the saddle and bridle without hesitation, she gives at the poll, and backs with her head tucked as well, she flexs both ways in the halter (we're working on the bridle now), and she is learning to long-rein. She's learned to send, and goes through ditches, over logs, through tight spaces, etc. She has gone great through obstacle courses that were set up. She side passes like a dream, and pony’s great. She went on a trail ride with me to our local river, where she went into the river with only a moments hesitation. She is so good at all this, so my question is, what else can I teach my yearling? I have a whole another year before I can actually start riding her, so if there is anything else I could do on the ground would be great!
Thank you!

George Fimbres' Answer:

April,

I would say you could teach her and any other colts or fillies you happen to have around, to pack there bags and come on over to my barn!!!:)

All jokes aside April, I think whatever your doing now keep a doing it, from what I can see your kicking some butt, Just keep in mind take your time, Stay consistent with all your commands and keep throwing new objects surprises her way, come time to be road she’ll be ready to go.

Thanks
George Fimbres
Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses

"He still is nervous and doesn’t like sudden movements. I have tied plastic bags to his saddle along with a container filled with rocks and lounged him around for as long as it took him to calm down..."

Well now I have worked with him a lot more, and he is doing better now. He doesn’t raise his head as much and he lets me sit in the saddle and walk him around a little bit. He still is nervous and doesn’t like sudden movements. I have tied plastic bags to his saddle along with a container filled with rocks and lounged him around for as long as it took him to calm down. He doesn’t buck anymore, he just runs faster, but when he's ready to listen to me and walk, and trot when I ask, I only do it for a few minutes, the I take off the plastic bags, and container. That’s when I try riding him and afterword, when he’s good, I feed him a scoop of grain. He does better this way, and I'm really happy I found a way to work with him. Thanks so much for the reply and info. I have had six years dealing with all sorts of horses, but now I have taken on some of the more challenging ones. My first horse I trained was a piece of cake. Never bucked, bulked, or reared when I rode her. She was never spooky and took to everything but men (she was abused) She is six years old now too and I use her for my 3-year-old brother to learn on and anyone whose looking for fun. Again thanks a lot for the help!

Sincerely,

Ariel

George Fimbres' Answer:

Well, well, well, I must say young lady; it is people like you who make it worthwhile.
I'm glad you took the time to drop a note back, to let me know how things worked out. If there is anything I can do for you in the future please drop a note or give a call. Look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,

George Fimbres
Jesse James Colt Starting and Performance Horses