how to train a horse for cavalry

[BamaBball3697]

hello i have a 4 1/2 year old tennesee walker how can i train him to neck rein and get him gun trained and is there any other training he will need to be a good cavalry horse

Mr. Pierce,
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[GeraldTodd]

I'm training mine to neck-reining. Crossing the reins with a snaffle has been very productive. The curb isn't condusive to that approach because it pulls back and confuses the signal.

To reinforce neck reining when I have the curb in (reins not crossed) I lay the rein on his neck and lower the hand - so as not to pull the curb, at the same time adding the inside leg. I add direct rein as needed to reinforce the indirect rein - so, right rein on neck, left leg behind girth=left turn, etc.

A couple of books that have been VERY helpful to me:

Bomb-proof Your Horse by Rick Pelicano
http://ebs.allbookstores.com/book/1570762600
This is a nice book that deals with the Police Horse angle, hits a few things you may not have thought of, like umbrellas.

Storey's Guide to Training Horses by Heather Thomas
http://ebs.allbookstores.com/book/158017468X
Lots of stuff from foal to death, riding, driving, everything.

Nolan's System for Training Cavalry Horses
online at: http://9thvirginia.com
Good stuff at a good price! :)

[CJSchumacher]

One thing that is important to remember is not to rush anything. Every horse, like humans, learn at their own pace. Be patient above all. If you have been using a snaffle...don't rush into a curb just because you think that is what's appropriate for an impression. A period, iron snaffle is most appropriate for training and even use as the picture below illustrates.

This was taken around Antietam, dating it to September 1862. Oh, and note the surcingle over quarter-straps.

Selected Civil War Photograph Collection - Library of Congress

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/cwp/4a39000/4a39500/4a39544r.jpg