| | Young Horse Starting Testimonial from Shirley Simcock of Kangaroo Island , South Australia
After seeing the Irish Draught horse on Burkes Backyard I decided to do something about getting one - but they proved too expensive so we eventually purchased the next best - an Irish sport horse - all the time I had in mind the person I wished to start her. She was a great little filly right from the start but I did not have any aspirations to start her as I knew I didn't have the expertise and didn't want to "spoil" her. So we took Steve's advice and virtually left her alone apart from the basic training - feet, leading, tying up and floating. We wanted Steve to start her as I had spent nearly 3 years having lessons from him and was really impressed with the way he related to horses. Although at that stage he was still in the Parelli programme there was no pressure to achieve the levels - he was more interested in the horse and rider working together towards achievable goals than ticks on a piece of paper. Steve's philosophy seemed to be working with the horse and rider so if both were asked to do the Parelli tasks there would be no problems; rather than getting the horse to do the tasks until it did them well enough for horse and rider to pass. It became a learning experience for both horse and rider with both becoming emotionally fit to do the tasks in hand. Richard and I spent 5 days with Steve and Irena when Steve started Destiny and it was a really great experience watching as he took each step with her - the best time was on the second day when I was able to sit on her back - it was great !! Since then we have done some more work together (but never enough) and spent 5 days with Philip Nye in April this year - as Alicia (my daughter) would say - that was awesome !!! - more so because it has put Steve's teaching more in perspective as I am able to see the goals and they are achievable as long as we have the right horse, the right state of mind and (naturally) the right mentor.....and I will always remember to ask myself - is my horse with me...? Thanks Steve. |
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| If you take your young horse to Steve to be started under saddle this is what you can expect that horse to be able to do when you return to pick him up from Silversand. To be confident about being handled on the ground including to: be caught in the yard without evasion
prepare for the farrier
prepare for rugs
be respectful of the handlers personal space
lead without resistance (follow a feel) and move away from pressure in all directions
load into a trailer (float) while the handler stands at the back of the trailer in a position which makes it easy to close the rump bar.
tie up safely To be confident about being saddled and to have had the following experiences when ridden. To: stand quietly while being saddles
stand still while being mounted both from the ground and from a mounting block or fence.
walk, trot and canter on a loose rein including downward transition without resistance, in the arena and on the trail.
be ridden in traffic
be ridden out on the trail both alone and with company
be responsive to rein and leg aids including backing up and moving sideways.
negotiate obstacles on the trail including fallen logs, ditches and tight wooded trails.
be exposed to native wildlife including kangaroos and emus. |
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Silversand Horsemanship
