THE HORSE GAZETTE
training
a horse, of course
mastering the two-track
By Don Blazer, © 2009
Serving Texans’ Hay Needs Since 1995
Slowing and soften-
may take the edge off, but your him anytime and every time he
Horse Quality Coastal Hay
ing your horse’s gaits begin
lesson has taught the wrong makes even the slightest effort
with the mind and are rein-
thing. to respond. Lateral work is the
forced with lateral movement.
When you are think- most difficult for the horse to
We strive to harvest
The first step is to
ing “slow” and your horse is learn, so don’t get in a rush.
our hay every 32
slow yourself down. You must
thinking “slow” you can begin Start teaching the
days with 400 lbs.
start thinking “slow” instead of
to teach lateral work to soften two-track while walking; then
of fertilizer to the
thinking about getting things
your horse’s gaits. move to the jog or trot, and
acre, every cutting,
done now. So much of daily
A horse cannot flex finally to the lope or canter.
to keep the quality
life today is multi-tasking,
his leg laterally from the elbow B y m o v i n g t h e
high. Tedding the
down since the joints are hinge horse’s hip, you will both slow
hay allows faster
instant results and moving
joints and limited to flexion and soften his gait. Moving
drying to keep more
forward. It may work for you,
and extension only, so make the hip helps the horse to get
protien rich leaves
but it doesn’t for your horse.
your first lateral lesson the his hind feet under his body,
intact.
Don’t get in a hurry.
Move slowly when working
easiest, the two-track. A horse which allows him to round up
State of the art pivot
around your horse, and ask him
two-tracks by moving his hip his back and carry his weight in
system allows us to keep
to move slowly when you lead
over to put his body into a 45 a balanced position.
the quality high, with
him. Make it a habit to slow
degree angle to his direction of You’ll find that once
efficient use of natural
everything down.
travel. By moving the hip over, you master the two-track, your
resources.
When you get to
he establishes two tracks…a horse will become much lighter
your training area….arena
set of tracks for his forefeet and softer when you ask for the
We have ,000 acres or pen or open field….never
and a set of tracks for his hind lope. Without you even think-
of Coastal Bermuda... allow your horse to begin his
feet. ing about it, your horse will
we farm year round. work with speed, that promotes
(View the video at: http:// move his hip slightly into the
fast work and gets “speed” into
www.donblazer.com/videos/ direction of travel when you ask
your horse’s mind. Walk your
two_tracking.html to see a for the lope or canter. When he
horse and walk slowly.
two-track demonstration.) moves his hip into the direction
Make “slow” the first
The cues for two- of travel, he’ll be able to also
lesson of all training.
tracking combine a blocking tip his nose into the direction
When you need hay,
If you are going to
action with the rein and a of travel, which will give you
we have it.
lunge, begin by making the
pushing action with the leg. the perfect arc for a slow, soft
For example, if you are moving gait.
We are capable of
horse walk, and walk slowly.
to the right, your left leg will By mastering the
storing 40,000 bales in
Don’t encourage speed hop-
drop back slightly to push the two-track you’ll avoid turning
4 weatherproof
ing to tire the horse so he’ll go
horse’s hip to the left while the horse’s head away from
storage facilities.
slowly…it won’t work. He
may be tired, but he’ll still be
your right rein is pushed into the lead you are requesting,
thinking speed; what’s worse
the horse’s neck to block the and you won’t be turning your
Conveniently sized
is when tired, he won’t enjoy
forehand from moving to the horse’s head into the rail, a
square bales.
his lesson, so what he learns is
right. major fault of so many pleasure
“speed” and a dislike for what
Do not pull the horses.
You can pick up hay comes after it.
horse’s head to the left. The Change your mind-
from us, or we can If you are riding
correct action is to move the set and change your horse’s
deliver it to you. into an arena or work area, do
horse’s hip to the right. movement to a lateral one and
lots of slow walking. Don’t
Do not expect the you’ll have mastered the first
Roy Mello, Owner
canter or gallop trying to take
horse to learn two-tracking in steps to slow and soft gaits.
the “edge off.” Fast work to
one session. You want to think
take the edge off teaches horse
“slow” and allow the horse to Visit A Horse, Of
that his first reaction to a work
learn “slowly.” Course on the Internet at www.
area should be “speed.” You
Ask the horse to donblazer.com
Devine, Texas move his hip over, and praise
40 Obst Road • Bulverde, Texas
Equestrian Events • Family Atmosphere
On Site Restaurant • Riding Lessons
Private and Group Instruction Available
BOARDING
Weekly in Boerne/Fair Oaks area.
Stalls with runs,
indoor stalls, 20’ x
Contact Anne Stone at 830-755-547 or
80’ outdoor pens,
120’ x 250’ covered
Jackie Kelly at 830-98-9795
arena, 120’ round
pen, 60’ round pen,
80’ x 80’ lesson
arena, outdoor
Clinics Nationwide by Arrangement.
jumping area, hot
walker, wash rack,
Call or email Mary Rose.
24-hour surveil-
lance, trails, and
tack rooms.
MARY ROSE, FBHS
Western Cell: 512-589-3796 • Home: 512-894-4536
English
E-mail: maryrose@txwinet.com
Roping
Hunters
&
Barrel
Jumpers
Racing
Training - Boarding
Coaching - Sales
Offering full service
boarding!
Get the experienced care and supervision
that you and your horse deserve!
Barn Manager: Megann Schultz
Home of
Assistants:
Morgan Nagel & Mandelyn Mann
Owners:
We’re just 2 miles For more info call
Barry & Mary Nelson
from San Antonio 830-980-2226
425 FM 978, San Marcos, TX
Call (512) 567-5526 or
(512) 557-3308
Visit us online at www.CiboloLiveryStables.com or www.TejasRodeo.com www.NelsonTrainingCenter.com
Page 8 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36