Good trainers spend a lot of time putting the foundation of training on a horse. This is, for the most part, the boring part of training. If it isn’t boring, you need to examine your approach and determine what’s wrong because the horse should not be struggling or resisting during this phase. The pace of the training should be comfortable for the horse.

The foundation gives the horse the necessary skills and physical development he needs to be successful at doing what we ask of him. When the horse has developed enough of these basics, you begin to see glimpses of his brilliance. You start to see what he will be – if you stay true to your training and continue to lay down a solid, proper foundation. Scout has reached this point in his training and it’s exciting.

You must not mistake these glimpses as a sign you can move away from developing the basics to more advanced work. If you do, you will be taking advantage of the horse’s brilliance and generosity rather than nurturing it. You will be using the horse’s talent rather than continuing to develop it. Scout is able to give me short periods of balanced circles and transitions while in self-carriage but he cannot sustain it throughout the ride. He offers expressive, uphill canter strides but isn’t yet fit enough to canter that way all the time. This is a sign the training is working, not a sign to move on and leave the good foundation that is developing unfinished. To do this will have consequences later in the horse’s career. As soon as you ask them for more than they have been prepared to give, any weaknesses in the foundation will show.

Rideability is the result of good training and physical development. It determines whether a horse will be able to reach his full potential as much if not more than talent. This is true in any equine discipline that involves riding the horse. When a race prospect has enough training and physical development to begin to show glimpses of their potential, the same mistake can be made by moving on and asking more than the horse has been prepared to do. He may be able to do it, but he will need to use his talent and brilliance to compensate for the lack of skills and physical development he needs. He will think the activity is harder than a horse that has had proper preparation. It will show in his confidence and ability to compensate when things get tough. Horses that are more difficult to ride lose more races because more mistakes are made. The jumper that isn’t rideable between the fences takes more rails down and lacks the confidence that the rideable horse has. 

Scout has three beautiful gaits. He has an active, free walk, a naturally rhythmic and balanced trot and a beautiful, expressive canter. He’s beginning to have the ability to sustain them so it’s time to work on the accuracy of his reaction to the aids and to ask for more straightness.    

To take this next step, it will help to have eyes on the ground, so I have taken Scout to work with Linda Zang. For me this is more than exciting. It’s a milestone in his training. He is ready for the master to see him and guide us on our journey. I have been fortunate to work with Linda for many years. It’s my job to take what I’ve learned from her and give Scout a good start. Now that he’s started to grasp the fundamentals, it’s time for Linda to evaluate my work. It’s a huge advantage to have her guidance in deciding what the next steps will be, not only to the Makeover, but in our quest to give Scout the skills he needs to have a beautiful life.

Scout is ready to make his debut at Training Level Two. This is the test he will perform at the Makeover. There was a schooling show I love to take horses to at Morven Park in Leesburg, Va. The only problem is the heat has been extraordinary. Even though I don’t like to work horses in extreme heat, I took a chance and entered him. I hoped the weather would improve but he drew a late day ride time and I felt it was best to scratch him. We can find another show for him on a better day.   

We will continue to develop Scout’s strength and correct reaction to the aids. Along the way we’re going to enjoy the glimpses of all that he can be and look forward to the brilliance that is to come.