Willy became my horse even before he was born on a cold February night last year. Now that he's a yearling, I'm planning for his future. I have an opportunity to train a trail horse from the ground up.
Vanessa has always referred to the colt as mine for a reason. His conception, quite honestly, was the result of my procrastination in fixing a fence strung between his mother's and sire's paddock.
The fencing mistake affected my life. Out of a sense of obligation, I assumed the responsibility of caring for the mare. My experience began with an unusual 12-month, 10-hour pregnancy and ended with a colt that became bonded with me from the moment he stood up. I didn't expect that the birth would be just the beginning.
Prelude to Training
I'd always planned to geld Willy young and train him as a trail horse. His breeding would have him as nothing else. His sire, PassU, stands at our farm. He's a well-bred Straight Russian Arabian who stands 16 hands high. Willy's mother, Little Mare, was sired by Kovat, a Muscat son. She has Donoghue lines in her maternal breeding that traces back to the Black Stallion. So Willy has quite a pedigree.
When Willy was born, Vanessa suggested that I take the responsibility of training him myself. "If you do it right, Ben, at maturity Willy should be a big, gray, gentle gelding, a good trail horse."
I was a bit hesitant, but after thinking about it, I got excited and decided to go with the opportunity. After all, I'll be 57 this year. BeBop, my current steed, is now 10 years old, and if I plan on trail riding into my 70s, which I do, then it'd be good planning to start working with Willy now.
Vanessa has always been and always will be leagues ahead of me in her understanding of horses. Her top ranking during her endurance career has proven her ability to train and condition great trail horses. Now, with her help and counsel, I'll be able to work personally with Willy as my own.
I've looked into the theories and gentle practices of several professional clinicians. I've already started to use the TTouch techniques by Linda Tellington-Jones, to which Willy responds well.
Vanessa and I also recently attended a Natural Horsemanship seminar by Julie Goodnight that gave us some good ideas. Plus, a friend demonstrated John Lyons' techniques at our farm a while back. [Editor's note: John Lyons' Perfect Horse is The Trail Rider's sister publication.]
And finally, our Vermont friends have told us of their great success applying Pat Parelli's objectives of success without force, partnership without dominance and teamwork without fear. I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm like a dry sponge in warm water, taking it all in.
It isn't as simple or easy as it sounds, though. Training techniques require learning and practice. Successful ring work takes time, consistency, and evenhandedness.
There will be setbacks and bad days to learn from, and successes and advances to celebrate. I embark on this journey with the attitude that it's not a smooth path. I've always tried to follow the mantra, "Relaxation is the key to creativity; persistence is the key to success."
