Over the past year of owning the UBF, it dawned on me that I was not the one who would be training him and starting him under saddle. I have never 'broken in' a horse before and although I have sat on many babies, my confidence with riding young horses is fast disappearing as quickly as the menopause has taken hold. It took a little while to let go of the idea of training my own horse from scratch, but once the decision was made, I asked around for someone to help me.
The UBF turned 3 in April. He's a sweet boy who is clumsy and fearless, he is curious and playful, he also seemed ready to slowly begin the process. For those of you who are not horsey, and for those of you who are; there are many, many ways to train horses to accept being ridden - I wanted to find the gentlest way possible. As the years pass I am more sensitive to the cruel things that horses endure, simply because we 'have always done it that way'. My horses don't wear metal shoes nailed to their feet, they live outside with plenty of space and friends, they have as natural a diet as possible, we ride without whips and spurs and nosebands that prevent breathing. We sometimes ride without a bit in the mouth at all, and sometimes we don't even ride - we play, or do groundwork or I simply watch them eat their hay. This is what works for me, I no longer compete over fences or wear long leather boots - I just want to enjoy my animals gently, and for them to want to be around me.
I was lucky to find someone who thinks like me. The UBF's new trainer rides her horses bitless and with a deep understanding. She is young with an enviable confidence, and she immediately liked the UBF. She could see that he had had some training by me, without me really realising it. He was certainly very attached to me. As she started his first day of school the UBF watched me intently. I had to hide behind the fence so he couldn't see me, as his trainer started the basics of groundwork. He learned quickly and was very happy. I felt like the proudest mum as his trainer praised him for being a very good boy.
The journey will be slow and gentle my gorgeous horse I promise, I would like him to be willing to work with us humans and enjoy his job - whatever that may be. And if he protests, we will start from the beginning again with no timeline, no agenda and nobody's ego in the way.
