WESTERN DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, AUGUST23, 2002
before a rider is introduced. It is also important to teach the horse during these early years to lead from both sides to minimise a horse's natural one-sidedness. With some of our equestrian knowledge stemming from the days of the cavalry, we are taught that it is correct to handle a horse fnom the near side. This was the only way to lead and mount a horse when swords were carried, since a clash between horse and sword would not have been a particularly healthy one. However, swords are no longer carried by riders, and our habitual handling of horses from te left makes it hard for them to work in balance in the school. It is no coincidence that the majority of horses are stiffer on the right rein. One of my resident clients at Tilley Farm at the moment is a lovely five-year-old Dartmoor pony who is with me to bring on. Backed briefly at four by his previous owner, and then turned away to mature until five, he is sweetnatured and easy to handle. However, he is extremely cautious about movement around his right side and, although he negotiates poles on the ground with ease when led from the left side, he freezes when signals start coming from the off side. He finds it hard to move forward and his gait becomes rigid. He trips over the poles that he stepped neatly over before and does his level best to re-educate the handler and place them back on his left side. He is not stubborn, nor stupid, and his easy manner shows that e had a good start in life. He has simply not learned that information can come from both sides. He is also more cautious about contact on the right side of his body, and this one-sidedness will naturally give him problems when under saddle. Ground driving and working between two handlers, however, will quickly teach him to become more balanced without causing him any undue concern, and will make further schooling more enjoyable. Of course, every horse is different and no rule applies across the board, but resistance only comes from resistance and time spent in the beginning saves time later on. By watching the horse, having an awareness of where he is holding tension and working with him from the ground you will know when he is truly ready to be backed -You can contact Sarah at the UK TTEAM Centre, Tilley Farm, Farmborough, Bath BA2 OAB or telephone 01761471182 (mobile: 07968006529).