Breaking-in and starting horses - 'The Frenchman':

                One of the things that we’ve done here over the quieter summer months is take in horses for breaking and pre-training or, horses with behavioural issues.  We have had a number of breakers over the years from some large yards and we are lucky in that we have a totally separate yard, with a walker and an outdoor school, away from the racing yard where we can take them.  We’ve had up to eight colts and fillies arrive at one time.  For the last few summers we have had just a few come in and this summer I have had great pleasure in breaking in a lovely French bred gelding that we call Jacques.
  

 Jacques chilling out in the paddock before work

Last summer I broke in and pre-trained a filly for these owners, who have all their horses in training with Philip Hobbs.  Jacques is a beautiful grey and is bred for National Hunt racing. 

                I have always enjoyed taking in youngsters and starting them off in the right direction for what is hoped to be a long and fruitful career in racing.  It is most important that their first experiences are stress free and confidence giving.  Whilst starting a youngster there should never be an argument and I find that if things do get stressy there is always a reason and usually it is mostly either the horse doesn’t understand the command and what you are asking of them or, the horse is not ready to do what you are asking them to do.  These situations should be avoided.  Every horse is different and is wary of different things and these should be respected and in everything you do before going to the next stage, the horse must be perfectly relaxed.

Jacques on arrival at the yard and being turned out with Headly's Bridge

And forming a special bond with his pal, Headly's Bridge, immediately

                I am always amazed what a horse will do for you when you have the communication right.  Jacques understood everything that was asked of him straight away and was always completely chilled out (a typical Frenchman!).  Below are some photographs of how he used to be most mornings - fast asleep with Headly. It was a shame to have to wake them!

               Of course it helps if the horse has had decent handling beforehand of which Jacques had plenty, not only from his breeders in France but also from his owners over here.  Whilst here he was in every way a pleasure to have and I enjoyed watching him grow and develop very much.

He was here for approximately 6 weeks and during this time not only was he broken in but also introduced to many disciplines, including jumping poles.  On his first ride out of the yard he was joined by his owners who also rode with me.  He had never been ridden in the company of other horses, nor had he met these hunters before, he took everything in his stride, we had a lovely ride around the lanes meeting tractors, cows etc., Jacques led and was forward going all the way.

Photo above taken watching the owners tack their horses up before our ride out of the yard

 

             Jacques is due to return next summer for pre-training prior to joining Philip Hobbs’ yard.  It will be a pleasure to welcome him back for his next task in hand, I'm looking forward to it already.  We certainly had some fun getting him up for work each day as you can see from the sequence of photographs below.  These were taken on only his second day here and he was relaxed, trusting and willing so I thought I'd pop my leg over!