Paso Fino Trainers' Directory - Bellas Formas
Paso Fino Trainers' Directory is proud to assist you with training your Paso Fino horse for the Bellas Formas Class.
This training is very different than most Paso Fino show classes. This is can be performed with one or two handlers.
More questions can be answered by contacting us anytime.
Paso Fino Trainers' Directory does not recommend showing yearlings in Bellas Formas, the training would start with the halter breaking process. Willing submission to cues from the halter is the most important in training - both for Bellas Formas and under saddle. Therefore, the training would start around ages three to four months. I would also caution the trainer to be very careful with the foal's head, neck, and spine! Not knowing how to train your Paso Fino horse can result in damaging your horse forever. Paso Fino Trainers' Directory suggest your consult a professional trainer when training your Paso Fino horse for the show ring as well as for the trails.
Don't ever put any weight on your horse, even if it is the standard two year old (as a lot of trainers and people do). You should always check with your Veterinarian to make sure the knees are closed, not doing so will result in bad stiffles. A horse with bad stiffles can hurt the rider by merely doing what is natural, by backing up, spinning, bucking and in some cause throwing you off . He is only doing this to get rid of his pain. When the rider is mounted is causes the stiffles to pop in and out casuing the horse sever pain. We all know that horses are flight animals and doing this is not a mean reaction merely a natural reaction.
Paso Fino Horse - Bella Formas Show Information
Question:
What steps should I take in training to start a Paso Fino horse for Bellas Formas with one working line verses two?
Answer:
Your first step for working a Bellas Formas horse is one line is controlled with forward motion. This is normally a two person process, when leading at the head of the horse and the other person behind motivating the horse forward. Once the horse learns to gait beside the handler, the (motivator) is no longer needed. Whereas when two lines are being used, both handlers motivate the horse forward and both control the horses head. The answer combines the above two questions. I will lounge the horse, develop the a relationship with one handler, then bring the second handler into the picture. You can handler start leading the foal close to its shoulder, the other handler can start off to the side of the foal. I then have the second handler start sliding back and the first handler then moves off away from the foal. Make sure the horse has enough forward motion, and hopefully, is already in the Paso Fino gait. The last step is that both handlers be parallel creating a triangle with the horses head and working in harmony,
I personally do not like to show yearling or two year old on two lines. I have found that they can develop habits that will not be evident until later on in the saddle training when are starting to show them. The two lines forces the horse to work in a collection that is expected of a finished hose under saddle. No two people will ever have the same touch, so the horse will never feel the same communication from two different sets of hands. If the two handlers are not professionally experienced it can create even more issues in the process of training and later on. If you horse is so beautiful, and with such naturalness of gait, that is performs with just one handler, my advise is to show the horse on one line. If you goal is to sell the horse quickly then you can use the two lines because it can make the horse look more impressive. You decide on what goal is for the to determine which method to use.
Question:
What are the pros and cons of Bellas Formas training on one line verses two lines?
Answer:
Team work and communication between handlers and the horses can be the biggest pro or con for Bellas Formas when using two lines. If done correctly, it can be a "a work of art" however, if done incorrectly, two lines Bellas Formas can cause a lifetime of bad habits. Personally, I would recommend anyone who is a beginner to use one line only or have Professional Trainers' Directory assist you.
Question:
What are the steps in teaching collection on a young horse for Bellas Formas?
Answer:
Choosing your Bellas Formas is critical. You need a Paso Fino horse that is balanced in conformation with adequate with brios to maintain "naturalness of gait". If the horse lacks balance or enough brios, the collection can end of being forced. The first step is forward motion, then forward motion in gait, then forward motion in gait with contact on the lines. Most of the time the horses will collect themselves with the proper contact from the handler. If you try to force the collection, you will teach the horse do go wide with the hind legs, the neck and back become inverted, thus "hollowing out" the back, this process is very difficult to explain, but the negatives are not. Once both handlers have established the forward motion, and the handlers are parallel to each other and behind the horse-are lined up with the hind quarter with the foal, and maintain the contact on the lines so the foal can start feeling the pressure and start engaging the hind end. First, make sure the foal has enough rhythm in its forward motion before you start putting pressure. Then (collecting) remember, there must be good, willing, forward movement before a foal can collect properly. You will have to decide how much to ask the foal to collect based on its mechanics. you must also communicate with other handlers at all times, tell each other what you are feeling when you use pressure on the line so the other handler does not contradict your command by using pressure on his or her line at the same time. Your communication is essential to the success of the training Of the foal.
Question:
What are training tips for teaching a young horse to stand square and stay alert for the conformation inspection during line-up in the show ring?
Answer:
A. You must be a patient person
B. You must teach patience to your horse by working short 5 to 10 minutes periods.
C. Walk the horse slowly into a "Square" position in the line-up
Keep in mind that you can not back a horse into the square position. Anticipation (of your line-up position) is critical to the step!
D. Physically readjusting the foot/leg position can be accomplished by lightly pushing on the contrasting shoulder or hip and also touching the hoof and the coronet banc with your foot. You can NOT touch the horse below the knee with your hand!
A fresh, not-aggravated horse will be alert. Allow the horse to relax and ask for attention as needed during the line-up inspection. Be patient and good luck with your training.
Also, I use lounging for developing respect, discipline, and attention. If you attempt to line the foal up and to square it, and the foal does not stand still, then lounge the horse a little more and try again. Once you have gained respect and discipline from the foal; stand in front while facing the foal, and with both hands on each side of the halter, begin by making sure that the back legs are even and the foal is standing underneath itself in the rear. I worry about the front end last. Once the foal is standing, you can entertain the foal in different manners; use sand and let it fall out of your hand so her or she pay attention to that; whistle; or tug on the halter gently to raise its head a little. You need to follow your intuition and use your best judgement, because after all, you have taught the foal to respect you and obey by the time you get to that phase.
It is always best to have a professional trainer train your horse for the show ring. Check with Paso Fino Trainers' Directory for more information on training and procedures before you start. If not trained correctly, bad habits will result and you would need a professional to assist you with this and could cost you more time and money than if you had professional training to begin with.
