Older Cob, New Job! - Saffy

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This is Saffy, a lady of a 'certain age' (OK, she's rising 15yrs but don't tell her I told you!) who came to us after her owner was no longer able to ride her due to medical issues.
With it not being uncommon for horses to come to us for a change of career for just this reason - or others, such as being a much-loved, outgrown children's pony - Saffy is by no means the oldest horse Barry has ever trained (that would be an ex point-to-point gelding who was 17y/o when he began training because of arthritis in his 70y/o owner's hands) but she is older than our 'usual' students and as this brings a different set of challenges to her training, we thought we'd tell you about them.
Saffy suffered a little from 'middle aged spread', so we worked her a lot in a team, to take the initial strain off her, help her lose weight and improve her fitness to a point she was comfortable going single without getting 'puffed out' too soon! It also meant she gained experience in almost every combination of horses you can put in front of a carriage!
As you can see from this video, after a few 'disagreements' over things being very new to her and not her usual job of happy hacking, she took to driving very well indeed and is now home with great reports of her and her owner getting out and about in their local area together once more, though plus carriage and owner's daughter as a groom now, too!
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Опубликовано:

23 авг 2019

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Комментарии : 52

@kathynichols4905 2 года назад

Beautiful cob

@riverbank4126 3 года назад

Lovely drive with Saffy. She appeared to enjoy it just as much as you did and I'm sure her owner will be pleased to have another way to share her time with her dear little mare as they grow older together. I hope that more riders will consider the option of driving their horses as they age so that they continue to keep their horses as a wonderful part of their lives. "Happy, safe, and comfortable" sound like great goals to work for, allowing both the horses and drivers to enjoy each other's company and to stay fit at the same time. Thank you for your kind and knowledgeable advise Barry. It was such a delight to watch the little mare examining the fish in the stream and playing happily with the water.

@trudybrereton6003 4 года назад

Double pleasure of watching a driven horse while enjoying lovely English roads and thatched roof homes.

@jenniferlehman2464 4 года назад

Saffy is gorgeous!! Her owner will still be able to enjoy her, even though she can't ride anymore. Since May, I've been rehabbing a stud horse that had no manners when he came to me. Like, if I opened the stall to feed him all I'd get was 2 heels instead of 2 eyes. So I put a long catch rope on him, turn him around. Close the door. And open it. It took 1 day for him to answer the question correctly. If I give 2 eyes I get fed, if I give 2 heels, all I get is hay. And as he was rehabilitating from a very bad tendon injury, he was on stall rest for 2 weeks then hand walking for 2 weeks, light riding for 4 weeks, then started over fences again until yesterday when I gave him back to his owner. Now, this isn't something I do with every horse, because as you have said many times, they are as individual as people. No two are the same as to the training techniques needed. I rode this stud horse in a rubber bit. Did some Dressage and Jumping, in a rubber bit. I told the owner, as I sent video updates of his progress, in the videos, when I was feeding him, I explained what I was doing and why. 2 heels is a very dangerous situation, be it a mare, gelding or stud!! He was delighted with what I had done to give his horse some manners, and it showed in my final paycheck from him. All horses are different, and therefore must be treated that way, but ground manners are something I don't skimp on. Best Regards Barry Hook, from someone who has learned many things from you, a grateful subscriber, Jenn, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

@annamcknight2573 4 года назад

That tail is a wonder to behold. Good old mare! I love these long videos where Barry chats away and the world is drenched in summer. Next thing you know Barry will be teaching his pupils to catch him a nice brown trout for lunch and, knowing Barry, he would succeed. All along the banks little ponies and big Shires with their fishing rods and buckets.

@trudybrereton6003 4 года назад

I love how she's thinking about her safety while going through the creek.

@tanon2703 4 года назад

What I have learned with my second horse is how much he relies on the familiar and regular schedules to feel secure. Once familiar with something he is happy, steady, and relaxed. But something new can make him anxious, depending on how it is introduced. The first time I rode him bareback, as I stood on the top of the mounting block, he literally turned and looked at me as if to say, "Hey, you forgot the saddle." He seems so quiet and yet I know he sees all sorts of details, which results in me looking around to figure out what he may be staring at when I feel a slight tension in him. He is very trusting and when I reassure him he is content to accept it. I watch his ears flick to the side when we pass a certain point as he figures out whether he needs to be concerned about something. He has given me a whole new sense of the world.

@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim 4 года назад

Maybe I'm biased but I love the solid 'thump' of a cob's hooves on the road.

@thomasrussell2997 4 года назад

Absolutely adorable Saffy,what a beautiful horse to drive,you certainly have her well trained Barry I enjoyed the trip with you as much as Saffy did.Well done Saffy and your expert self Barry 🌹.Thank You Great Video 👍

@TheSeamstress1 4 года назад

I have huge respect for you Sir in what you do, How kind you are to the horses and for putting this all on RU-vid. You know, you are saving these traditions by putting it on RU-vid so the next generations can learn and if not to drive a cart, just to respect horse draw carts when they see them on the road. Many thanks! It was an absolute pleasure to follow along! Beautiful mare, she did GREAT!

@RoseThistleArtworks 4 года назад

Well done in those shark infested waters! :D She is so beautiful. That is wonderful that she has new things to learn.

@traceysayar7523 4 года назад

she's just lovely x x

@cindymitchell6525 4 года назад

Thx, incredible, many blessings.

@Clickchic 4 года назад

Yes, I enjoyed this very much.

@kippen64 4 года назад

Your advice is excellent. Can easily transfer it to my ridden horses.

@susanbrown2909 4 года назад

Lovely cob...in the hands of the expert. I know about all about the newforest ponies..got kicked as a child by one back in the late 60s...not my fault, it was my older sister letting me go too near them...learned my lesson the hard way lol. Thanks Barry always enjoy your videos.

@chfgypsy 4 года назад

Interesting Barry, I am working with two older Cubs currently and you are so right on about all this. Glad you are making this video.

@AndreaDingbatt Год назад

OMG!! This brought back memories of an AngloArab,,,, (Four and a half years old and new to work,,,,) who bolted in a Blind Panic,,, ~Due to a Tarpaulin coming off a wagon that flapped over his head!! (And mine!!) He Bolted when it Hits him on his rump!! And, off we went,,,, Galloping right towards the oncoming traffic as well!! What I did ,, (apart from praying, Lol!!) wasn't to try and pull on the Baby's soft mouth,,, ~which would have been Counter productive!! I had to let him gallop,,,, until he came back to his senses himself!! All I could do was to relax, using my weight, balance and legs,,,, To help to steer him to keep him safe away from the cars and lorries!! He was flat out and jumping All the small dykes that drain off the road to the ditches....Exciting Stuff!! (Yikes!!) He could really jump and travel fast,,,Oh my goodness!!😮 Then,at home, plenty of training for the "little Surprises" life can give us, including Tarpaulins,,, ~until he was one of the safest horses to ride out on the public roads and a Gentleman in every way!! He went on to be a Mother and daughters happy hacker, and also did Cross Country and show jumping too. Long story short, ~ I Totally Agree with you about Soft rubber Bits,,, And, Doing our best to Not cause Pain with Severe bits and curb chains! Severe bits, especially with curb chains, cause more problems than they fix!! Sorry for the lengthy comment, but this brought this memory up,,, especially when you point out that No One can stop a bolting horse by hanging onto it's mouth!! Best wishes and Kindest regards, Andréa and Critters. ...XxX...

@louisecassidy5991 4 года назад

Lovely video. I get the feeling she is asking to stretch, wants a little more rein to walk, making her reef a little. I do like your quiet, long and steady ways. The main problem these days is that most horses never get enough real work. You are doing good work.

@gkseeton 4 года назад

I wish I could find a trainer like you in Texas!

@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim 4 года назад

I believe that Merlins issues are related to the fact that he can't see when he wears blinkers, and that when he was young, he was harnessed and something happened to scare him and he ended up with his fractured back legs. To that end, I'm going to try him in an open bridle to see if it helps. If they drive horses on the continent in open bridles, I can't see why I shouldn't do the same.

@barryhook2 4 года назад

They do indeed!

@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim 4 года назад

@@barryhook2 I grew up in Germany from 1960 where horses were still in regular use. farmers, the milkman, the coal man all used horses still. So I can't see why *I* shouldn't try it. I've nothing to lose.

@louisecassidy5991 4 года назад

pam Thompson-Clarke-Reynolds-Bowers-Burton .....The pleasure carriages in the cities in Austria, none of the horses have blinkers. I got the feeling it is better in such heavy traffic for the horse to be able to assimilate everything. Certainly they worked like well oiled machines.

@comesahorseman 4 года назад

Bit of horse philosophy... When something goes wrong (and it will!) don't automatically blame the horse. Think first. But... Don't automatically assume that all horses are angels. They'll all take advantage, if you allow it.

@rawfedk9 4 года назад

Did you find out what was causing her head movement Barry? Was it as simple as tieing her hair back? This is a lovely video, you explain things so well and 6our understanding of the equine is remarkable and wise. Thank you for sharing a little of what you know to help us become better people - and yes I do mean exactly that. Xx

@barryhook2 4 года назад

We tried tying her forelock back a bit and she did do it less. We also put some fly ointment on her ears, which seemed to help. It also appeared to be a bit of a habit with her, as even when everything was sorted (she has had her teeth done recently), she would still do it occasionally. Thankyou for your kind comments.

@payntpot7623 4 года назад

@@barryhook2 I had one who would turn his nose up and to the side as he trotted along on the lunge and in the cart if bored. Perhaps her head flick was similar?

@sallyannefrancis8647 4 года назад

She Is One Lucky Neddy !!!!

@sheblyne 4 года назад

Barry, although I will probably never drive horses or train them to do so, I absolutely love your videos. Your knowledge, respect,and appreciation for these marvelous creatures comes straight through the screen. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. " Safe, confident and happy" is what we should strive to achieve for every horse in every dicipline. And when it is done with respect and kindness it is magical! Long may you teach!!!!🇨🇦

@mgrey1267 4 года назад

I love theses videos- my great grandad used to have a milk round with a horse and used to tell us how he would stop and get off to deliver the milk up the street , then when at the top of the street he would whistle his horse called coffee , and he said coffee would walk up the road and move out of the way of the parked cars . Loved his stories he used coffee for everything even ploughing. Great videos - Thankyou

@lorineidtinytoadplot744 4 года назад

I have an older horse, green broke rescue, green as in I have no idea what was done to her before but she has issues with the bit. Great with my grand kids but leery with adults / and whips. I've done all her training on the ground with just the rope she's a dream to work with very compliant and we ride her with just a halter no issues other than spooking at new things and even when she spooks she is easy to handle. My question is : I want to start training her to drive and I've found bit-less Driving bridles. What would you suggest ?

@lorineidtinytoadplot744 4 года назад

Marigold the sorrel mare in this clip ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O1lNUAyO-mY.html

@barryhook2 4 года назад

Hi Lori, we are not well versed in bitless bridles. We tend to just drive them off the head collar if the owner would like their horse trained without a bit, or some dental issue etc. prevents us from using a bit either temporarily or permanently. It would be better to ask someone who routinely uses bitless bridles, as we prefer to use rubber bits.

@hannahambler1993 4 года назад

It’s a process of elimination with bitless bridles. You’re best to start with a side pull and see how you both fare with it, the side pull only gives a bit of nose pressure when you put pressure on the reins, if you don’t get on with it you can try a cross under, a lot of horses don’t like the cross under as it’s both nose and poll pressure at the same time which is similar to the hackamore which is more severe. Definitely start with a side pull, if she’s responsive in riding in a headcollar I think she’d be happy with that as it’s very similar to the headcollar. Wishing you luck with your horse’s education :)

@shishkebab5306 4 года назад

Barry, Why are the blinkers used on the driving horses? I do drive my cob but it was all done with more luck than judgement. I literally hitched him up and jumped on board, he is such a genuine fella I got away with it. But he hated the blinkers and kept trying to rub them off, so I removed them and he was much happier, just wondered what they were for.

@barryhook2 4 года назад

They are used to help the horse focus on the road ahead, rather than get distracted or spook about things at the side of the road, or the movement of the carriage (or whatever they are pulling) behind them. Some horses do just fine with them. In some countries, blinkers are not traditional and horses are driven without them perfectly well.

@shishkebab5306 4 года назад

@@barryhook2 Cheers Barry, just checking I'm not doing anything bad.

@christinecronje4704 4 года назад

On busy roads, the blinkers can also serve to prevent the horse getting stones and rubbish spat into their eyes by passing vehicles, although this is a modern by-product of blinkers and not the reason for them.

@rrrrrr-ry3cn 4 года назад

Why are you using a blinkered bridle? What is it good for?

@barryhook2 4 года назад

Blinkered bridles are traditionally used in the UK. In some countries open bridles are traditional. They are used to focus the horse's attention on what is in front of it, not behind or to the side. It can help reduce spooking. Some horses prefer blinkerless bridles, some will not drive without blinkers.

@rrrrrr-ry3cn 4 года назад

@@barryhook2thank you, do you know anything on dog carting? ( realy dont have money for a horse and carrige, yet learning your way in trainig bc its proved good on goats as well)

@texastwisterbar 4 года назад

In your opinion the question I have is about the blinker she was ridden with a standard bridle without blinker do you think she would be able to except driving without them? I’ve seen different opinions about blinkers just would like to hear what you think about it,also what is the purpose of the blinker back in the day? Or more like the history of the blinker?

@barryhook2 4 года назад

The purpose of blinkers is to 'focus' the horse on the road ahead and minimise distractions from the sides of the road, other horses they are being driven with and the movement of the carriage (or whatever they may be pulling) behind them. As prey animals, any movement they spot can be highly distracting or even cause them to spook. Blinkers minimise this. Saying that, there are many countries where blinkers are not traditional and horses are driven in all disciplines without them and driven perfectly well. It does not normally depend on whether or not a horse is used to being ridden without blinkers as to whether it will accept blinker less driving. However, we do find that horses who are one way or the other without blinkers when ridden (i.e. 'bombproof' in traffic or 'spooky' in traffic) can sometimes be the opposite once you put blinkers on them (i.e. 'bombproof' horses become unsure or 'spooky' horses become much more confident). If we find a horse will go better without blinkers, we will look to train it without. However, we have to train all of our horses to accept blinkers over here, as insurance companies often dictate they must be worn or any claims will not be considered.

@texastwisterbar 4 года назад

barryhook2 thank you for explaining that, makes perfect sense to me now! I could never get an honest answer about the blinkers and I’ve been around horses for many years and I have asked my grandpa about it and he really didn’t know the history about them but he did tell me about keeping their attention ahead of them instead of what was going on behind them They must have been used the same way as the beginning of the harness! Thank you

@payntpot7623 4 года назад

@@barryhook2 That is so interesting, Barry. Thank you for these insights. I found my older ridden bush pony became uneasy when introduced to blinkers; when he was relaxed without them. I decided not to use them with him and he was fine. Enjoyed being a driven horse more than a ridden one. I wonder if our insurance companies in NZ even know about blinkers? I know many standardbreds race without them and I presume they are still insured? As to breaking older horses to harness, here in NZ, older wild Kaimanawa horses are often broken to saddle after they are rounded up and sold. They make great kids ponies. The Wilson sisters have become synonymous with them: www.vickiwilson.nz/blog/a-hometown-horse-story-the-kaimanawa

@elizabethhilerio61 4 года назад

8:26

@jasonjuggler3457 4 года назад

do you go to the applyby horse fair?

@barryhook2 4 года назад

No - not really our 'scene'. You don't see a lot of rubber bits there!

@jasonjuggler3457 4 года назад

@@barryhook2its not my scene eithr, their a bunch of scum who kick and whip their horses. plenty of videos where you see them kick horses stomach, and they drown some every year in the deep river if you didn't know. Your training is very good, its astounding how much abuse these horses get even from the so called experts who whip the hell out of them. As for the rubber bit, it may bend and flex but its not exactly super squidgy so must still put a fair amount of pressure on the horses sensitive gums, But better than metal and the rest of awful devices. 👍

@1827Beethoven 4 года назад

Is it ever okay to drive without blinkers?

@barryhook2 4 года назад

Yes, perfectly fine. In many countries in Europe, horses never wear blinkers! It is traditional over here to wear them, but in many other places it is not.