Training of Milo - 10 year old PRE-Criollo cross gelding COMPLETED
Sarah Remington contacted us a few years back and asked if we could help her find a good riding horse. She was looking for a gaited, baroque type horse with good stamina and comfortable gaits suitable for Dressage competitions as well as gaited ones. Through our contacts with Cavador we found a suitable gelding in Mexico and had him imported. With the hot temper of the Andalusian and the stamina of the Criollo he had much to offer, but essentially was not as easy to ride as Sarah had hoped for.
She has had him for 2 years now and admitted that it has been a struggle. She has worked with many trainers and has made some progress. Unfortunately her journey has had more downs than ups.
Sarah still loves this horse, is however seriously considering selling him. She asked us to train him and see what we are able to accomplish with this gelding. She will then decide if it is best to sell him or if this pair still has a future together.
Milo turned out to be much more difficult than anticipated. The first day we got him out and saddled him without any problems. However once his trainer Clay got into the saddle he wouldn't move. After much coaxing he got the gelding to take two steps sideways before Milo clamped down on the bit and bolted off. This horse was no where near ready to be ridden.
The saddle and bridle came off, replaced by a rope halter. With the help of a second handler the tall horse was lead into the round pen. Clay barely managed to take of the lead line before Milo bolted off again. The ring was much too small for Milo to pick up speed so he proceeded to buck and kick out. Clay ignored this behavior and tried to wait it out. In Milo's fit the gelding even charged Clay, only then did Clay grab the leading rope and forcefully chased the gelding away. Having a fit was one thing, attacking a human an entirely other matter which would never be tolerated.
After many minutes of Milo racing in circles he still was not calming down. He just had to much pent up energy which needed an outlet. Neal and Clay discussed what options would be best for this horse. Placing him into a herd would not yet be possible since he would stir up the other horses. Being alone on the pasture didn't inspire him to "let loose" and round pen work bared the risk of him challenging the handler again. We were looking for options to make it easier for him to behave good than bad.
We tried turning him out with other geldings, who were equally rambunctious. But Loki just fought with him, Andskoti was too difficult getting back off the pasture (in which case we would have two difficult horses to worry about) and Mjölnir didn't show any interest in Milo at all. We were back to square one.
The saddle and bridle came off, replaced by a rope halter. With the help of a second handler the tall horse was lead into the round pen. Clay barely managed to take of the lead line before Milo bolted off again. The ring was much too small for Milo to pick up speed so he proceeded to buck and kick out. Clay ignored this behavior and tried to wait it out. In Milo's fit the gelding even charged Clay, only then did Clay grab the leading rope and forcefully chased the gelding away. Having a fit was one thing, attacking a human an entirely other matter which would never be tolerated.
After many minutes of Milo racing in circles he still was not calming down. He just had to much pent up energy which needed an outlet. Neal and Clay discussed what options would be best for this horse. Placing him into a herd would not yet be possible since he would stir up the other horses. Being alone on the pasture didn't inspire him to "let loose" and round pen work bared the risk of him challenging the handler again. We were looking for options to make it easier for him to behave good than bad.
We tried turning him out with other geldings, who were equally rambunctious. But Loki just fought with him, Andskoti was too difficult getting back off the pasture (in which case we would have two difficult horses to worry about) and Mjölnir didn't show any interest in Milo at all. We were back to square one.
On an unusually hot day the girls decided to go swimming with their horses for exercise, this gave Neal an idea. A little down the road was a therapy pool. It was originally built for people, however with minor adjustments Neal thought it could be used for horses. Once they got Anna's permission construction started right away. Within a week the pool had been modified for equine use and was ready to be tested.
Clay struggled walking the gelding out to the pool, especially since gelding hadn't been exercised in a week and was especially feisty. The next challenge was getting the horse into the water. Clay calmly walked him around it and let Milo get used to the sounds and smells. Then Neal suggested backing Milo into the water. Without giving the horse time to freak out he was backed into the water. The nostrils flared and his eyes were wide, however after taking a few steps and realizing the water wasn't attacking him he stopped and took a nice long sip. In the meantime Neal and Lynn closed the gate while Clay attached the side reins. Curious as to how Milo would react, Clay stood on the island in the center of the pool and coaxed the horse forward. With long strides the horse walked on. A force of habit made Milo leap forward a few times, the weight of the water softened his strides and soothed the horse. After a few rounds of walk and trot they ended their session, leaving the horse with enough energy and motivation to repeat it again the following days.
Clay struggled walking the gelding out to the pool, especially since gelding hadn't been exercised in a week and was especially feisty. The next challenge was getting the horse into the water. Clay calmly walked him around it and let Milo get used to the sounds and smells. Then Neal suggested backing Milo into the water. Without giving the horse time to freak out he was backed into the water. The nostrils flared and his eyes were wide, however after taking a few steps and realizing the water wasn't attacking him he stopped and took a nice long sip. In the meantime Neal and Lynn closed the gate while Clay attached the side reins. Curious as to how Milo would react, Clay stood on the island in the center of the pool and coaxed the horse forward. With long strides the horse walked on. A force of habit made Milo leap forward a few times, the weight of the water softened his strides and soothed the horse. After a few rounds of walk and trot they ended their session, leaving the horse with enough energy and motivation to repeat it again the following days.
Fully aware that behavioral shaping was a long, tedious process which involves a lot of patience and perseverance Clay did not expect a miracle over night. However something was found what motivated the gelding so Clay continued the training asking only little of the horse other than to continue walking or trotting in circles. The pool did the rest of the work for him. Because of the slanted walls the gelding always had to pay attention to stay in the middle or else he would trip and fall. When trying to act out and gallop away the water acted as a buffer and helped control his movements.
Leading Milo to the pool did not become easier, especially since the gelding started looking forward to his training and would try to pull Clay with him. Returning to the stables was however very enjoyable with a content, happy Milo. Clay even noticed the geldings ear pointed at him from time to time. A small bond was forming.
Leading Milo to the pool did not become easier, especially since the gelding started looking forward to his training and would try to pull Clay with him. Returning to the stables was however very enjoyable with a content, happy Milo. Clay even noticed the geldings ear pointed at him from time to time. A small bond was forming.
With time Milo became more responsive in his water therapy. Clay was able to incorporate Voice Cues, which the gelding took to easily.
When Autumn came the transition from the pool to the round pen came easy to Milo. He was curious at first with the change in scenery, but once Neal told him to "walk on" Milo knew what was expected of him. It took him a three lessons to fall into a routine once he was led into the round pen. But Clay had to get creative to mix things up as lunging can become monotonous quickly. He switched from lunging to long reigning and expanded to the entire riding hall. Milo had the occasional fit and reared or tried to bolt but Clay stayed calm and determined.
After a few sessions that went superbly Milo had his shoes pulled and enjoyed a few weeks of winter break. By then he was integrated into our large horse herd.
Training was picked up slowly in the new year. Everything was repeated, starting off with round pen work again. After a couple of weeks of recaps training under saddle was started.
When Autumn came the transition from the pool to the round pen came easy to Milo. He was curious at first with the change in scenery, but once Neal told him to "walk on" Milo knew what was expected of him. It took him a three lessons to fall into a routine once he was led into the round pen. But Clay had to get creative to mix things up as lunging can become monotonous quickly. He switched from lunging to long reigning and expanded to the entire riding hall. Milo had the occasional fit and reared or tried to bolt but Clay stayed calm and determined.
After a few sessions that went superbly Milo had his shoes pulled and enjoyed a few weeks of winter break. By then he was integrated into our large horse herd.
Training was picked up slowly in the new year. Everything was repeated, starting off with round pen work again. After a couple of weeks of recaps training under saddle was started.
Although they did extensive preparation Clay was still surprised that the gelding never tried to buck or rear under saddle. But from Milo's perspective there was no need to anymore. Living in the herd helped with his social skills and he always found at least one or two horses to play with. His trainer was consistent and helped him understand what was asked of him, which calmed him and gave him confidence. He didn't feel like he had to escape.
From the round pen to the riding hall to the out door ring leading up to hacks which he especially loved. Over the months you clearly saw the change in him frustration melting away, replaced by a calm, responsive horse.
There was a set back when Sarah came by for a visit. The gelding fell back into his old habits and made it a horrible experience for her to ride. She was crushed and wondering if all the money she had invested in his training had been for nothing.
Clay explained everything in full details. What had been done with the gelding so far and were he is currently at. Sarah seemed confused at first. The horse she had ridden in the hall did not match the description of Clay's at all. Clay explained honestly that it was a combination of seeing her again after so long, it made Milo remember the way he used to be. "Kind of like when you learn a dance routine to a certain song. Even years later it's likely you can recall that routine once you hear the song again." Sarah was the song to Milo's old routine. That and the insecure way she handled him. Milo was sending of signals left and right that Sarah didn't pick up on. He was becoming more frustrated with her insecurity and the miscommunication made it all come bubbling up again. If she expected a change in the behavior of Milo she would have to change her behavior first.
Clay also assured her that the training was in no way a waste. When Milo came to them he was clearly a problem horse. The training helped him find a healthy outlet for his energy and living in a herd gave him all sorts of life lessons. It helped him become a more normal horse. He knows important voice cues like 'slow down', 'stop' and 'walk on' and is more than willing to listen to the rider if the cues make sense to him. If Sarah decided to keep him that would be her responsibility, to learn how to communicate properly with him.
Clay talked to her for a long time, again bringing up the possibility of selling him and finding a more suitable partner. She went home with lots to think on.
Clay explained everything in full details. What had been done with the gelding so far and were he is currently at. Sarah seemed confused at first. The horse she had ridden in the hall did not match the description of Clay's at all. Clay explained honestly that it was a combination of seeing her again after so long, it made Milo remember the way he used to be. "Kind of like when you learn a dance routine to a certain song. Even years later it's likely you can recall that routine once you hear the song again." Sarah was the song to Milo's old routine. That and the insecure way she handled him. Milo was sending of signals left and right that Sarah didn't pick up on. He was becoming more frustrated with her insecurity and the miscommunication made it all come bubbling up again. If she expected a change in the behavior of Milo she would have to change her behavior first.
Clay also assured her that the training was in no way a waste. When Milo came to them he was clearly a problem horse. The training helped him find a healthy outlet for his energy and living in a herd gave him all sorts of life lessons. It helped him become a more normal horse. He knows important voice cues like 'slow down', 'stop' and 'walk on' and is more than willing to listen to the rider if the cues make sense to him. If Sarah decided to keep him that would be her responsibility, to learn how to communicate properly with him.
Clay talked to her for a long time, again bringing up the possibility of selling him and finding a more suitable partner. She went home with lots to think on.
After a few days she called us back with the decision she made. She was not ready to give up on Milo but admitted having him trained would not be enough anymore, she would have to grow with him. She would find herself a good trainer near by (Stormhaven was unfortunately too far out of her way) and work on him. But she was also interested in something else Clay had mentioned in their conversation. Stormhaven's Vet breeds his own stock of native British Isle ponies. He had a well trained gelding for sale. Sarah came back up to check him out and immediately fell in love with the little bay pony.
In agreement with us Sarah decided to take Milo back home where she will continue the training herself with the help of a professional. Milo is at a good place now and after observing him in the herd Sarah had to agree. She will try to find and open stall near hers where he can also live in a herd. She was grateful for all the advice we gave her and wrote down a training schedule that would be advisable for this horse. She knows he will never be an easy horse, but she has her new pony for the comfortable rides and Milo as a constant working process they both can learn and grow from. After the last talk with Sarah Clay also feels confident that Sarah is in the right frame of mind to take him on now and is confident they can succeed.
Stormhaven enjoyed the challenging work, which even Clay said he learned a lot from. Our doors are always open to them if they need help once more.
Stormhaven enjoyed the challenging work, which even Clay said he learned a lot from. Our doors are always open to them if they need help once more.