From: china@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: Re: Advice needed on training
Date: 26 Jul 92 15:23:46 +1000
Organization: Computer Centre, Monash University, Australia

In article <1992Jul24.173400.8705@intelhf.hf.intel.com>, brett@brett.intel.com
(Brett Branch) writes: . CHINA, COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE NAMES
> AND/OR AUTHORS OF THESE BOOKS? Does anyone know of any videos on the subject?

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Brett, I was afraid you'd ask this! I've just looked through my library of
horsey books and blown off the dust of 3 books which sort of talk about
short and long reins. However, all 3 are Aussie books and will probably not
be available in the US. Anyway:

1. "The Horse and His Education" by J.D. (Jim) Wilton, 4th edition 1985.
	No publisher is written on the book, ISBN O 9598980 O X.

	Jim Wilton is now dead, but was a great horseman. His method of
breaking and educating horses is basically the method I follow. However,
Jim didn't believe in the long reining (just short reining). But I have
found long reining very useful and use it routinely. There is also a video
of the same name from Nick Ahern Productions here in Australia. IMHO Jim
was the best horseman I have ever come across.

2. "The Jeffrey Method of Horse Handling" by Maurice Wright, reprinted 1986,
published by R.M. Williams, no ISBN No..

	This book is based on the method by Kell Jeffrey method. I've attended
a Maurice Wright school and must confess that I'm unenthralled with the Jeffrey
Method. Jeffrey and Wilton were rivals in the '50s and Jim challenged Kell to
a test to see who could do a better job of horse-breaking in the shortest
time. The best was 1,00 pounds - a fortune in those days for a poor horseman.
Anywayt didn't happen because Kell declined the challenge. Most horses I
have ridden that have been broken by the Jeffrey Method appear to have hard
mouths. Maurice has also produced a video of this technique.

3. "Horse Control - The Young Horse" by Tom Roberts, 3rd edition 1979 (there
maybe a more recent editi, but Tom died a few years ago), published by
T.A and P.R. Roberts, ISBN O 9599413-1-2.

	A good book. Tom also uses the short rein, but suggests long reins
should be used only by people who are experienced with them. I don't no
how one gets experience if one shouldn't use them. Tom was a very experienced
horseman and has lots of good common-sense advice. He also waxes lyrical
with anecdotes.

All these books and video are available in Oz, so if you are interested in
obtaig any of them and have trouble finding copies in the US, I shoulduld
be able to get you what you want. 

I'm sure other people can provide lists of books that maybe helpful and more
accessible to you.

A point about why some people don't recommend long reining a young horse. I
think there are 2 basic reasons for this:

1. If you are long reining and the horse bolts, it is almost impossible to hold
the horse. The reins will slip through your hands or cut your hands; the horse
will escape or you'll get dragged; and the horse will hurt its mouth and may
lose trust in you. For these reasons I always long rein in a round yard. 
I never take the horse out the round yard until it is completely quiet, I can
get it turn right and left without any hesitation, it will stop and back-up
the moment I use the slightest pressure, it must be obedient to the voice. I
have broken many hundreds of horse and never had cause to regret using the
long reins.

2. When you first start using long reins, many horses get spooked by having
the reins dangling down its hindquaters or having them flipped over their
rump. This problem is easily overcome by having someone hold the horse with
the halter while someone else dangle and flip ropes or whips all round the
horses body becfore the long reins are introduced. Again, I've found long reins
a quick and effective method of teaching a young horse lots. But, I have
heard some horror stories of horses, getting away from the handler and
running across busy roads with 3 metres of rein flowing behind.

Anyway, that's my 2c worth.

Ross