Starting A Rocky

In reading articles about Rocky Mountain Horses, you’ve probably seen many times phrases such as: easy to work with, docile, and willing.

Working with our babies, we’ve discovered several things.

To halter break a Rocky baby – simply put a halter on the foal.
To teach a Rocky to lead – attach a lead line to the halter and gently encourage forward movement IF necessary but they usually WANT to walk along with you!
To train your Rocky to load on a trailer – show the horse an open trailer and encourage it to walk on. This is a little more difficult than leading. It may take as long as 2 to 3 minutes!

With that being said, we decided to do a little ground work with Special when he turned two. Following are 10 steps to starting a Rocky. Keep in mind; this was accomplished in less than an hour.

1. Introduce the horse to the saddle pad.

2. Wave it around, put it over his head and swing it on and off his back until ignores it.

3. Let the horse inspect the saddle.

4. Gently lift the saddle and place on the horses back.

5. Tighten the cinch, a little at a time and not too tight.

6. Walk the horse around as he becomes accustomed to this curious thing on his back. At this point the average, common horse spooks, bucks, runs and squeals trying to rid itself of the bear on his back. Not so with a Rocky!

7. Put a little body weight to the saddle so your Rocky feels a little weight shifting on its back.

8. Get on the horse.

9. Sit there while your Rocky yawns.

10. Have someone lead you around for starters.

This is a little tongue-in-cheek page, but the point we are making – everything you’ve heard and read about this breed, is true!

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