[Jess!]

Okay, this is for a performance horse, not a western pleasure horse. I know they both take time, though.

If I had an itch to get more training on my horse, what should I expect after two months?

This is the run down:

I have a mare who has four months "professional" reining training. I put that in quotations because I forgot the persons name and to tell you the truth I don't know if he is a professional or not. She neck reins pretty well, but it's not the very slight, hardly have to put reins on her neck turning. She is okay with moving over on leg, but not great. She has a pretty decent stop on her when I sit down and ask for a whoa. GREAT forward movement, if this mare had it her way her gaits would be fast, faster, and FULL SPEED AHEAD!

She can do lead changes, and did nice ones on the pole pattern yesterday, but she did them herself and I didn't ask, which was nice.

I think I just want a finished horse. How many more months will that take?

What kind of trainer to send her to? Working cow horse? Reiner? Team penner? Barrel training?

I do NOT want this horse soured, and if I send her to a barrel trainer I need to be very careful she doesn't get soured.

[Red roan rider1]

How old is the horse? I don't know if anyone can guess what the horse should be able to do in a couple months time. Each horse is different. Each trainer is different. I think you need to interview trainers until you find one that has a program that you are most comfortable with. Then you need to watch as your horse progresses through its training to see what is going on and if you like it.

[GotaDunQH]

Some horses can learn alot and progress into two months, some can't and it comes down to mindset-willingness-learning curve. When she goes fast, does she motor down easily? If she doesn't, then gaming may be her thing. But if she does respond and come down to a nice easy lope, then maybe reining is her thing. The horse usually tells you which it prefers....

Jennifer

[Jess!]

She listens when I ask her to slow down. Any gaming horse SHOULD listen when asked to slow down, I cannot stand "run-away, hard to stop" gaming horses. I've owned a few in the past and got rid of them.

I believe she can handle the mentality that gaming calls for, without losing her mind.

My issue is, there are so many CRAZY, off-their rockers gaming horses around here I don't want to end up with a trainer that has one of those horses. Which is why I was thinking of putting her in training with a trainer who does reining, or working ranch events, etc.

[Dancers Mom]

Originally Posted by Jess!

She listens when I ask her to slow down. Any gaming horse SHOULD listen when asked to slow down, I cannot stand "run-away, hard to stop" gaming horses. I've owned a few in the past and got rid of them.

I believe she can handle the mentality that gaming calls for, without losing her mind.

My issue is, there are so many CRAZY, off-their rockers gaming horses around here I don't want to end up with a trainer that has one of those horses. Which is why I was thinking of putting her in training with a trainer who does reining, or working ranch events, etc.

There is a place right up the street from my barn and the woman trains reining horses. I can ask my BO and get her number if you want.

[Jess!]

Originally Posted by Dancers Mom

There is a place right up the street from my barn and the woman trains reining horses. I can ask my BO and get her number if you want.

Thank you, that'd be nice. I'm on the hunt for a GOOD trainer. If Lazy A was still here, I'd so send her to Ruben. In fact, I might go look him up and see where he is at these days.

I just want a nice, responsive horse. I've ridden a horse that was amazingly well trained before, and I'd like my mare to be like that.

[Blondehorse]

Originally Posted by Jess!

Thank you, that'd be nice. I'm on the hunt for a GOOD trainer. If Lazy A was still here, I'd so send her to Ruben. In fact, I might go look him up and see where he is at these days.

I just want a nice, responsive horse. I've ridden a horse that was amazingly well trained before, and I'd like my mare to be like that.

Then I'd go for a reining trainer (just be careful who she goes to, of course, and I know you will). Reining training is sort of like dressage training, IMO-- it's good for any horse. Who doesn't like to ride a horse with power-steering, stops on a dime, etc?

[Jess!]

Originally Posted by Blondehorse

Then I'd go for a reining trainer (just be careful who she goes to, of course, and I know you will). Reining training is sort of like dressage training, IMO-- it's good for any horse. Who doesn't like to ride a horse with power-steering, stops on a dime, etc?

I think I am probably going to, I have a few in mind. Stopping on a dime is a must, especially for the boot race. Run up, stop, jump off, grab boot and go back. Same with keyhole, run in, stop, spin and run back out.

It's very much having control over your horse, which is what this club likes to see. A lot of our classes are designed for horse control, they don't like dangerous, out of control horses which I like a LOT.

[cowgurly02]

I would definitely go with a reining trainer I know quite a few barrel racers who buy reining trained horses that are just awesome little gaming horses. They get that really good foundation on them and build from there, can stop and turn on a dime and really know how to work off your legs and seat. The barrel trainer I had Dodger in with had spent years working with a reining trainer and reining horses. That was a big part of why I e-mailed her in the first place! She did an excellent job getting that solid foundation on him before pushing him onto bigger things. When I got him back from her he was broke to death and can a lot more than just chase cans.

Any GOOD trainer won't turn her into one of those crazy gymkhana horses you see around. Good luck!

[GotaDunQH]

Originally Posted by Jess!

I think I am probably going to, I have a few in mind. Stopping on a dime is a must, especially for the boot race. Run up, stop, jump off, grab boot and go back. Same with keyhole, run in, stop, spin and run back out.

It's very much having control over your horse, which is what this club likes to see. A lot of our classes are designed for horse control, they don't like dangerous, out of control horses which I like a LOT.

LOLOL.....love this comment! You know, you can HAVE a horse that looks totally out of control, but actually IS in control. Those horse simply have a zest for life!

Jennifer