Horse preparation and basic training
Horse preparation and training may take several directions after basic training is applied – depending on the use of horses in the future. Naturally, we start training the horses when they are still foals.
When substantial training begins at the age of 2-4 years, the animals are already used to basic training processes.
-they can be tied to the poles in the horse pen, and they can be driven with reins;
-they tolerate hoof trimming, the administration of injections and pastes orally;
-they recognise the unconditional superiority of man in daily interaction,
-they are not scary, and can be caught easily in the pasture.
After the application of basic training tools, we carry on with the substantial training process. We use training practices from several different sources. It is absolutely necessary and important to use the methodologies oh classic horse training schools. Apart from these, several training techniques have been collected, processed, elaborated and made available for beginners and even for laypersons. Some of these techniques are the ones worked out and disseminated by Viktor Fröeschl, Pat Parelli and Monty Roberts. We try to incorporate these training me
thods into our training processes.
Naturally, we have also elaborated our own “household methodologies” during the course of training several generations of foals, and we make efforts at all times to learn new and useful training methods.
In this way we try to set up our own training methodology taking into consideration the fact that if we take a thorough look at the different training methodologies, we find that that the method of developing interaction between horse and man as well as training horses is based on closely correlating factors.
In this passage below you can read some words about special training processes, which are based on basic training. We apply additional training methods with our horses as required by their use in the future. The horses are also taught to accomplish special, individual tasks. During the past few years we have greatly benefited from the special skills of our horses.
Through these skills we have been able to use our specially trained horses during different events and for special activities such as:
-Traditional horse shows;
-Participation in the Open-air Festival in Szeged
-Sport activities (military, equestrian ball game)
-Training contented saddle horses, which can be handled easily, for training new riders and for equestrian tours.
Sport
Part of our training activities is to train our horses for sport activities regardless of specific sport events or tournaments.
In order for horses to acquire diverse skills, they have to be involved in thorough basic training.
Part of the basic training process is the development of jumping skills and movement in different kinds of terrain (jumping also involves fixed and semi-fixed obstacles) and also some dressage.
We try to train all our foals to be able to fulfil all these requirements.
As depicted in the pictures, work starts on the ground. We apply diverse training methods on the ground, then we saddle the horses, and the training process continues. In this way the horses are familiar with a high number of skills by the time they are used by riders. This greatly fosters the interaction and mutual understanding that is present during the performance of different exercises between horses and riders.