Association Scoop
May’s ZOOM Online Session brings
Beverly Lamp “Virtually” to Wisconsin
to talk about Weanlings and Yearlings
Beverly Lamp, an expert weanling and yearling Tennessee
Walking Horse colt handler, came online with the WWHA
Youth and a few adult members to share stories and advice
about colthandling. While Beverly’s smile and smooth voice
brought you immediately into the session, itwas her use of
many photos and a little black and white stuffed horse that
ensured our youthunderstood the lessons to be learned - even
though we were online.
Beverly started by reminding us that the littlest babies don’t
know anything - they have never had halters on, they don’t
understand what we want - so its up to us to allow them to
learn, without getting hurt. She told stories of how strong they
are and that they tend to throw little fits and episodes as they
learn - which can also put their delicate necks and the handler
at risk. No one wants to be in the way of babies rearing up or
striking out with their hooves. So, soft petting, short lessons
and providing little positive experiences goes a long way. You
shouldn’t over-baby them however, you need to teach them not
to get in your space and that you’re the boss.
She demonstrated (on the little stuffed horse) how to put a
rope/lead-line around the tail-end of the weanling to provide
pressure and incentive for the baby to move forward. This is
better than trying to drag them at the halter where they may
pull back and shake their heads. Instead it gives them a double
signal to enable them to understand “forward”. Even a single
step forward should be rewarded with petting and good words.
A curb chain under the chin can be helpful too in maintaining control. In no time, you can be successfully leading them
around.
The same goes for teaching the babies to park out. Squaring
the feet in the back - then asking them with the halter and soft
pressures at the withers to bring the feet forward to park. Beverly again pulled out the little stuffed horse and showed how
to set the feet and park them out. It takes LOTS of patience
and many short lessons - and lots of petting between each little
movement so they know they’ve done the right thing. Beverly
did caution not to overly stretch out the horse - just a few steps
does it. Then get them to drop their tail-end down, and put
their nose and chest up - and you’ll have a beautiful parked
horse that the judges can admire.
In the end, she told stories of showing the weanling or
yearling - and how rewarding it can be. She showed many
photos of her show ring babies and told funny stories of how
she blows in their noses, crouches down and rises up just when
the judge comes her way so the babies head and ears rise to
display. Many tips that she has learned from watching other
successful colt handlers she shared with us too. It was a great
session - and once again displayed the power of the internet in
this wonderful live format.
Our ZOOM sessions will vacation this summer - but will be
back in the Fall with more speakers.
State Associations!
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walking horse world!
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