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1/20/02
Keepin' Track
Many years of riding colts have led me
to keep track of the number of rides on each colt. I have been
able to make specific observations about the progress of the
colts. Its interesting to see some of these generalities seem
to ring true on all those colts. The colts that I started from
the first ride consistently showed me that at about ride # 7
they understood there was a program. Consistency from me. I most
always ride them 7 days in a row with no day off. The rides are
as easy as possible and the distance is determined by the colt.
Usually by about 16 rides, 4 rides per
week, I have learned their name. Grin. My program is very horse,
first priority, oriented. The way the first month works out is
that days off, happen when things are progressing in a positive
direction. These milestones seem to ring true consistently. I
have only sent two horses home after a month or less. The first
was a mare that truly had low intelligence. She was a nice mare
but not smart. My program didn't help her and I will not put
a square peg into a round hole.
The second was a gelding that had lots of wrong miles before
he came to me. He needed the kind of riding that I was not willing
to do. I sent him home after 2 weeks. My program is successful
because all a horse has to do is try, it will be successful and
find it easy. The whole secret is well put by Ray Hunt, "less
is more." I think that is the correct quote. I changed it
to fit my verbiage to say, "the less you do, the more you
get done." We just go the distance. I can wait for a long
time as long as I can "feel" the talent inside of them.
Some have more talent than others. That doesn't matter. If they
are willing to try and show progress, that's all I ask.
1/28/02-
MATCHING |
