Stephen Gowling

Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Englishman trying to ride western!
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16 posts
192 comments

Commented on I have a coming 3 year old filly that...

26 Jan 16:05

Richard Boatwright

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Commented on post was deleted

23 Jan 22:24

There is the ES20 softening the older horse series with Stardust the Gypsy Vanner which may be useful to you 

Posted

23 Jan 07:07

How bizarre to receive this weeks “Richard’s ramblings” email on ground work when I just returned from the stables.

Talk about a timely reminder, I arrived at the stables this morning to turn out and muck out after the horses were confined to quarters yesterday as the rain was torrential and flooding, the pasture would have been torn up.

Normally Sarge the idiot would have been bouncing to be put out and tossing his head at me and carrying on like the big spoilt baby he is (wife’s horse, mine just wait 🤣🤣)

He was not at his stable door which I thought strange but stood at the back of the stable near his nets looking over the wall, I called him and he just stood looking away…….

The dipstick had got his foot through one of holes of his feed nets (it’s an English thing) and it was up under his “arm pit” tight and wrapped around his leg.

30 seconds later I had cut him out and he just stood waiting to be told to move.

My point is here is in regards to ground work and specifically the roping I did to his legs when he was a two year old, I was laughed at for been in the round pen and lassoing him, (look at cowboy Steve) walking him with his feet roped and more importantly stopping him and making him understand he had to stand still when roped.

It all paid dividends today and avoided what could have been  costly or damaging incident, it cost me a new feed net and a worried wife.

He walked out and put his halter on and went to the pasture like a little lamb.

Don’t skip this bit of ground work guys, very important In my mind, it could be a leg in a fence next time but having a horse that understands to remain calm and stationary made a potentially dangerous situation just a thing.

My friend last year lost a horse caught in a net as it panicked and strangled itself, she never does ground work except lunging as she’s an “English” rider! 

Checking the CCTV he had been stood for about an hour and half caught in the net, never did he pull back or thrash around once he knew he was trapped.

So thanks for the timely reminder Richard Boatwright keep those emails coming Sir!
1

Commented on I have a five year old mare that I to...

13 Jan 02:32

Richard Boatwright

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Replied on Riding Goals Anyone?What's everyone g...

09 Jan 12:28

Lucas Truax now that sounds like a real specialised challenge to get a proficient head horse, good luck with that and can’t wait to see how you get on 

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Replied on Riding Goals Anyone?What's everyone g...

09 Jan 05:23

Richard Boatwright thanks mate, back in with consultant next Friday for pre op and further tests before I become a pirate with an eye patch for a while lol

Take care and enjoy rearing those cows! 

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Commented on Riding Goals Anyone?What's everyone g...

08 Jan 14:07

I think my main goal is get back regularly riding and hacking out when my eye is healed, we do have a full cross country course at our new yard but I think my days of jumping are passed!

What about you Lucas Truax ?

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Replied on Hello - I am not a horse trainer by p...

02 Jan 12:28

Kimberly Harrison

Exactly right, you can only learn by trying, the ES20 colt starting videos are gold dust to watch time and time again then take that into the round pen and give it a go, make a mess of it, go watch them again and try again and see the improvements.

I must admit i had my yearlings in the round pen working the code, taught me a lot but then I don’t produce horses to work, just pleasure and have lots of time to spend with them.

I know trainers appreciate a well handled horse to work with, saves them a lot of time, provided they haven’t been given treats, mishandled etc 

Have fun and enjoy, hitting the sweet spot is the best feeling, just know when to quit on the try! 

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Commented on Hello - I am not a horse trainer by p...

02 Jan 02:38

Happy New Year Kimberly and welcome, I know Richard Boatwright has his views on this but from my point of view as a non-trainer like you (although I do my own horses) as a yearling/2 year old prior to breaking I want the horse at least to be 

Halter broken 

Leading easily

Able to pick up feet and trim

Stand to be groomed 

Stand to have teeth checked/vet work 

Load on a trailer 

As I do show mine in hand sometimes I also will have mouthed them to wear a show bridle and bit, also have them used to wearing rugs.

I will also be working them in the round pen lightly learning the code but I take a lot longer to bring them on due to work commitments than for example Richard does.

There are some great videos here on leading and trailer work to watch alongside all the other fantastic videos.

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Replied on Been a while since I rambled on with ...

01 Jan 14:26

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Thanks Lucas, appreciate those kind words, unfortunately the Year has started terribly and I lost my best friend at 1.20am on New Years Day after 11 years of Loyal companionship, I will bounce back and be back annoying Ya’ll with my English ways soon.

Take care 

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