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The
Training
Program
at
Big
View
Walking
Horses
Farm
begins
the
day
the
foal
is
born.
It
is
immediately
imprinted
by
the
careful
handling
of
someone
that
loves
it.
Not
only
does
it
arrive
here
as
a
bundle
of
love
from
Heaven,
but
the
first
thing
it
finds
when
it
arrives
is
a
bundle
of
love
in
return.
After
daily
handling
(10
minutes
at
a
time,
2
–
3
times
daily)
for
two
weeks,
we
then
introduce
it
to
a
small
halter
just
to
get
the
feel.
We
do
not
begin
halter
training
until
6
weeks
old.
We
use
a
special
halter
to
train
the
baby
to
know
that
we
are
its
protection.
Within
an
hour
the
baby
is
following
us
around
in
the
training
area.
Over
the
next
several
weeks
we
get
the
baby
accustomed
to
us
handling
its
feet,
giving
it
a
bath,
and
just
introducing
it
around
the
barn
to
the
other
animals
(dogs,
chickens,
etc.).
I
am
not
usually
in
a
big
hurry
to
wean
the
baby.
So,
around
five
months
I
will
separate
it
from
mom.
During
this
time
it
gets
a
lot
of
petting.
(as
if
it
hadn’t
all
its
life).
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As
a
yearling,
we
continue
to
just
take
strolls
around
the
house
(not
inside
but
outside)
and
barn
(inside
and
outside),
up
and
down
the
road
to
get
them
used
to
different
objects.
Of
course,
as
a
Pastor
they
are
always
first
to
hear
the
Sunday
sermon
during
the
week
as
part
of
my
meditative
time.
They
never
disagree
with
or
complain
about
any
of
the
sermons.
(not
even
if
they
are
too
long). |
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They
continue
their
socialization
with
humans
as
well
as
other
horses
until
they
are
about
3
years
of
age.
Some
begin
horses
under
saddle
at
two
years
of
age,
and
I
suppose
that
is
ok.
I
just
prefer
to
start
them
around
three.
By
this
time
there
is
no
fretting
when
introduced
to
the
saddle
and
equipment.
We
really
introduce
them
to
the
feel
of
these
at
one
year
old;
we
just
do
not
put
weight
on
them
until
three
years
of
age.
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We
do
various
ground
work
with
them
before
we
get
in
the
saddle.
Once
in
the
saddle,
then
we
begin
a
lot
of
riding:
we
ride
about
100
miles
(only
a
few
miles
at
a
time)
in
just
a
walk;
then
about
100
miles
(again
only
a
few
miles
at
a
time)
in
a
slow
walk;
then
100
miles
in
a
fast
walk.
We
then
move
into
the
cantor.
Our
miles
consist
of
back
roads,
National
forests,
and
trails
on
and
around
our
farm.
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All
the
training
is
based
on
a
reciprocal
trust.
We
build
and
build
and
build
and
build
on
this.
Trust!!! |
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