"Why Didn't You Just Break Her Yourself?" - with Lulu the Cob
We will always maintain it is a beautiful thing to be able to train your own horse from scratch. However, with many horses - despite how they may look on the surface - thorough training by experienced professionals is the safest way to teach them to drive and achieve their potential.
"Knowing your horse" is incredibly important and thankfully these owners could sense that there was something about Lulu that meant sending her away for training would be the best option for all involved, despite others expressing surprise that they very patiently awaited their place on the waiting list (for over 2 years!) rather than "just break her themselves".
This video shows why their decision was the right one for them and Lulu. They are now driving out as a family safely, happily and confidently at home and we love getting updates about how they're getting on now Lulu no longer feels the need to throw quite so dramatic 'dance moves'!
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Theme Tune Music By: Stan Garchinski of Canada
The gut feeling is never wrong! I was so lucky as a child, I was taught to drive by an old man who had worked the horses on the land during the war, ex jockey and stallion man. He taught me to do plenty of work on the ground and to long rein for miles, never harness a napper, once in the shafts give them plenty of steady work. I often remember him and thank him for giving me so much, his last gift was his grey driving cob, he set 3 conditions....1) never sell him 2) never overwork him 3) never let him suffer.....I fulfilled my promise. R.I.P William John Peter aka Mr Peters from Ashley, Box, Wilts.
❤
I smiled when you said “I’ve got no education at all” and then continued to explain about bit choices. There’s more knowledge and horse wisdom in your head Barry than I’ve seen in many “qualified” teachers. What a lovely job you’ve done with her. I loved watching and listening to this story. Thank you for sharing.
Maybe she was just missing the little girl she was once with and that's why she kicked off ?
Quite possibly she was missing home as she has a brilliant bond with. her owner, Leah. However Lulu had performed similar behaviours at home when asked to do something she would rather not do (such as stand still or lunge nicely, which her owners worked a lot on) so it cannot all be put down to homesickness on this occasion.
@@barryhook2 Was it patience that won the battle and changed her mind? Not responding to her theatrics and letting her know that would not get her out of work? One of my horses would buck when he got mad because he didn't want to do something and one trainer said ignore it and another said get after him. I found ignoring it like you would a child having a tantrum was the way to go.
Essentially, yes. No matter what theatrics (good phrase!) she performed, the end result was the same - she still had to do what she had been asked to in the first place. In general, horses (as with most animals) do not usually like to expend energy unnecessarily. If the easiest option is to do as they were asked (bearing in mind all possibilities of pain or discomfort must be investigated and ruled out any time a horse reacts surprisingly, especially to a simple task) they often come to learn the 'easy way out' is to do it the first time. It can take some horses a while, but we believe 'waiting them out' accompanied by firm but fair corrections (such as putting the horse exactly back where it started to misbehave or where it twas asked to stand once it is safe to do so) is always going to be a much more longterm fix than using a harsh punishment and a kinder way of solving the problem.
@barryhook2 My father always said; You have to be smarter than the animal. He was wonderful with his hunting dogs he raised. Gentle and truly loved them. One of our dogs got out of the kennel and hit by a car. That's the first time I heard my father cry, absolutely broke my heart 💔 I have to say I admire you for giving this 13 year old child help and admire her for the good things she did with her beautiful horse. Thank you for giving her confidence to to move forward, she will never forget your kindness.❤❤❤
There’s no shame in asking for help with a problem that’s beyond your skill level. It’s how we all learn, and good on Mum for getting Lulu in good hands to ensure that her daughter can have the best of times with her gorgeous pony. Well done all around.
Thank you 💓🙏
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU.110%!!!
Leah has a future as a trainer. Good on her for recognizing training Lulu to drive was probably going to be beyond her skill level.
Nice to see someone talk about soft contact and using a soft bit carefully. Hate to see horses shaking heads wearing severe bits. Absolutely right, they should learn to love working for their owner because they love to be loved and protected by them. Bestest feeling ever, the bond you can have with your horsey friend.
I love the bitless trend now
Fabulous to see that young lady driving her pony at the end...with a big smile on her face..😊
I’m leahs mum and watching this and her little face at the end made me cry! Just beautiful! ❤
@@user-tx4kf9bx3y 💕💕💕🙏🏻🦄
Living in a city and disliking it intensely, this video has reminded me of my dreams as a young woman. Thank you.
The big smile on her young owner's face says it all! Well done!
This post proves that Barry and Rhi are the world's best horse trainers
That's very kind of you to say, Susan!
Ikr? Barry never gets excited or nervous no matter what the horse does. Horse wizard for sure ❤
First time watcher of your channel and what a breath of fresh air! No bullying. No pain. No arrogance. What a wonderful man and horse trainer you are.
Welcome to the channel!
Amazing how much a gentle, almost nonchalant attitude and calm approach just on the ground can do for even the greatest lost cause. The quiet conversations and words I've had with animals freaking out are just a whispered “Oh come on... You're making yourself look a right silly sausage in front of everyone. Unnecessary. Just unnecessary and unbecoming. Shall we try that again? Yeee c'mon let's try again...” and I swear it helps! 😂 If someone has to use force and throw their weight around to get horses and dogs to do what they want, it's not training it's just flat out bullying. Anyone can do that. There's absolutely no skill involved with abusing and breaking their spirits. The real skill is gaining their trust enough to where they'd jump through a brick wall if you ask because they trust that if you're asking them, it's safe. I get the impression these horses feel safe. Even when they're new in, skittish and being a real handful, I feel like they still know it's safe ☺
@24:54 is just lovely. This young lady is clearly dedicated to her pony, and to see her happily driving Lulu at home is heartwarming 🙂
WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT SMILE, REAL JOY!!
A lesson in horsemanship from a very educated man and I just wish we could have seen more of the actual training. A lovely mare.
Most of it was as you see in the short clips, Anna - a lot of sitting still behind her and letting her learn that her behaviour did not change what we were asking of her!
Amazing.
I've always feared horses. This man is an expert. He knows these animals. This amazes me ❤
What a beautiful horse... Straight out of a fairytale. I can almost see the horn on her forehead. 🦄
Thank you for showing that you have problem horses that you get in too and how to handle them …This keeps it more real for the people that watch these videos 👍👍
100% thank you!
so proud of my Grandaughter
Arrr that’s lovely dad ❤
You are one of my favorite trainers because you use time and persistence. Just calmly, gently, and safely outlasting the horse… I would bring my horse to you in a heartbeat, but there is an ocean between us, so I love your videos. Also I love how kind you are with crediting the owner. You have a lot of empathy for the horses and the owners. ♥️
What a pleasure it has been to watch this video.I think the mother made a very wise decision to send the pony for her last few weeks of training. I did the same last year with my mare when it was time to hitch her up after ground training. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video.
We think so too! You're very welcome.
There was something about this video that really touched my heart when I saw the young girl driving at the end. It was a success story!
Thank you! From leahs mum x
It is truly a pleasure to see how you quietly train. I have watched and experienced the opposite and the result of rough handling. My career has been training animals. I believe in painless training. In 1988, January 8th, I had the pleasure of watching some of the best trainers (in my opinion) in the world. This experience taught me to stop and think. I learned to question what I was asking of the animal, what does the animal need and how can I help. Like you, I learned to use consistent gentle methods, not equipment or punishment. Thank-you very much for sharing Heather
So lovely to hear his soft and encouraging voice to this sweet pony. If its done with love and patience results will follow. Love love love watching and listening to this lovely man. 👍
What an excellent horse woman that 13yr old will be in the future, considering the amount of horse smarts and talent, not to mention knowing you need help before allowing a horrible experience to be created, that she already possesses. I wish I had known half what you know at your age.
Mom was smart sending the mare to a professional. Very well may have saved her daughter’s life! 🇺🇸
It is an absolute joy to watch your videos. Thank you for showing the world that humane treatment and using your brain is the only way to train and to be with a horse. Or any other creature for that matter.
🥰🥰💞💞💖💖
I love watching and listening to the voice of compassion and common sense
You are such an intelligent trainer. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing
That really is just like my mare, even looks like her. Loves riding, happily pulls a sledge but does not like shafts!
I feel like I went on a beautiful country ride with you. Thank you it's a nice way to start my day.
Your approach is just lovely to see. I'm thankful.
How lovely to see a young owner, driving and much love pony
Thank you for talking about bits. Lulu is gorgeous
to continue having horses like this we need shires, which are endangered. People are afraid of the immense size but it`s a huge advantage as they ride smooth and comfy. They have an amazing intellect
We are all for promoting Shires, but Lulu is a cob, so not the same breed.
@@barryhook2 Cobs have shire blood IIRC. You breed a smaller horse to a shire or a clydesdale to first get a cob. I could be wrong, and happy to be corrected if so. Have a great day Sir!
Cob is just a word to describe a specific build of horse/pony, so you don't necessarily need a draft parent to make one. Two cob parents can make more cobs - look at the welsh section D breed!
@@SocialShires Cob is a breed of their own and as Valaraiya says, it is a 'type' of horse. Gypsy Cobs, Irish Cobs, Welsh Cobs etc. are all kinds of 'cob' with no recent heavy horse blood in their lineage. Nowadays if a horse has noticeable Shire or Clydesdale blood, it will most likely to be stated as a 'Shire Cross' or 'Clydesdale Cross'.
What a difference and how grand to see ☺
Oh That was beautiful!! Gave me chills at the end🤗 This little girl is gonna Going grow up to be an amazing horseman... She already is❤🐴.U.S.
Thank you for a beautiful comment! Leah is doing amazing with lulu still 6 months on going from strength to strength ❤ (Leah’s mum)
Every human in this story exercised good judgment. The 13-year-old girl worked hard to train the pony. Her mother sensed something not right and had the wisdom and humility to seek the opinion of a good trainer. And Barry, of course, is humane and patient and committed to training horses to be safe and happy. Bravo to everyone involved. (Oh, and this pony is stunning, just beautiful.)
This was one of the most rewarding videos. The young ladies smile at the end says it all
She is beautiful that’s for sure!
Well done! She is probably enjoying herself now that she is more fit too. So happy for this young lady and her horse.
Absolutely - however, her behaviour also changed as she got fitter as she was not as tired and had more energy to throw some 'dance moves' rather than be quiet because she was too unfit to do anything else!
Definitely a difference between aggressive fear and tantrums. She is certainly a smart girl who was thinking all sorts of ways to be in charge there and that kicking meant mean business! I share-worked someones young and green logging horse over a few years, he'd arrived bright n shiny after being reared and basic trained alongside his working dam and started out fantastic. This gelding took everything in his stride but having an owner not alert to body language (and contradicting voice command and physical aids due to missing a few marbles) started trying all sorts of sudden silly but very dangerous manoeuvres when he was fed up or missing his field mate (not nasty, but he was a big boy amongst a lot of trees) and it wasn't long before he was bolting from the owner with logs trailing for a couple miles or spinning himself in a knot trying to get the gear off - but thats what happens when you just let go of the reins everytime a horse accelerates. Im more than half the muscle size and weight of the owner and I never let reins go but I was on a losing battle over time 'the more the owner trained him to run'. It was so frustrating, exhausting and dangerous in the end that I never went back following a break. Heard since the horse damaged its back bolting into a fence during work. Its a damn shame, such a beautifully bred heavy too and 5 G's down the drain. By the way it made me chuckle you calling her sugarplum 😂 Thankyou for your knowledgeable videos.
Always very frustrating to see good horses ruined by poor handling.
Lulu's certainly spirited isn't she! This looks like dream work. Thank you for sharing these lovely videos for us!
Very - but deceptively quiet, too!
So glad to see her willing to do the job. And your understanding is commendable. Sadly, I know of a family who owned a runaway pony, their young daughter could not stop him while riding. They put a harsh bit on it and the daughter could then stop him. But as the daughter got older and stronger, it became a fun game to run the pony fast then jerk him to a stop. Eventually she grew stronger, and pulled too hard and broke his jaw. The pony eventually starved to death because they would not feed him soft food. The authorities were called, and nothing was done about it.
🤬🤬😥😥😤😤😢😢
That's disgraceful to treat a beautiful, sensitive, and smart horse like that 😢
@@m6666 SO TRUE,,,AND ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT I RETIRED FROM WORKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE,,, SADLY . I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING BACK INTO WORKING WITH HORSES, BECAUSE OF GOOD, .KIND & HUMANE PEOPLE LIKE YOU,, XX
How horrible. We only every use soft, flexible rubber bits for many reasons - this being one of them!
Barry, you are wise, kind, patient and knowledgeable. Gotta love a Cob.
Hi Barry, I was thinking of the 60’s wild singer ‘Lulu’ singing “Weeeeeeeelllllllllllllll!!! ….You make me want to shout… kick my heels out and shout…” with your Lulu kicking and rearing this would be a great theme tune for her; but then Barry, Lulu sings ‘To Sir, with Love…’ and that song is sent to you with sincere love and thanks, please give the lyrics a listen, how do you thank someone who has taught Lulu to discover her calm trusting happy confident nature, between the shafts? Just a pure joy to listen, learn, watch and be truly amazed and what you have achieved with your soft bit and your voice and hands. Lulu didn’t make it easy, but you tried, and won her over. Blessings all round and that young lady is a credit to herself. Well done.
Thank you for your kind words! I shall be singing this tomorrow to Leah on our drive ha ha x
Thank-you! We will also be singing those songs now haha
Good lord, the POWER behind those animals is something to be reckoned with. I love all your videos!
I loved this video. Lulu is so clean! I groom a cob down my local stables and she is normally filthy haha, bless her, as she likes to be! People just think cobs are fat and lazy but in reality they have that little fire in them. Cant go wrong with a cob, they are overlooked beauties.
Good job, from South Africa
You can't train with fear. There will always be something they fear more than you. And you will never have the building block of trust and good leadership for the horse if you train with fear either. Just my opinion. I try to keep things in the KISS method. Keep It Stupidly Simple!! Each horse comes to you with issues that you know nothing about. Going back to basics will always get you more steps forward than backward, leave anger outside that barn door, and have the patience of Job when working with any horse. Drive safe over this coming weekend, Baz and Rhi!! Love from your friend, the Retired Paramedic and Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦
We share that opinion too, Jenn!
❤
What a joy to be able to teach that young lady too! Much respect from Holland for you 2!
Leah is an amazing student, well on her way to becoming an amazing driver already, with only a couple of dozen hours on the reins!
Mr. Hook, as always, you have so much wisdom to share and your content is quite enjoyable. The area you drive in is exquisite. I enjoy the scenery so much as well as the horses and your teaching. Cob Lulu is a huge personality, quite sure she knew what was best for her, and a massive drama queen too 🤣 and it is great to see how wonderfully she drives now. 😃😁😆She's not cowed down, or afraid. This is beautiful horse training, and I believe the soft touch, soft voice, and not using pain is the ethical way. Not only that, it is incredibly effective training.💯 🐎❤
Much respect for you sir 🙏 and how you love these animals being so patient and gentle ❤️
WELL DONE TO EVERYONE!! HER YOUNG OWNER, AND, TO HER MUM~FOR KNOWING//FEELING OF THE POTENTIAL,, FOR LULU TO HAVE A STROPPY STREAK!! SUCH A LOVELY AND WONDERFUL, THING TO WATCH LULU ~ ENJOYING HERSELF, OUT N ABOUT, AND, , AS YOU SAY,,, *SAFE, CONFIDENT AND HAPPY!!* THANK YOU TO~ RHI,TEAM, THE LOVELY LULU ,& HER OWNERS, & OF, COURSE, BARRY!! YOU MAKE A LOT OF GREAT POINTS, WHICH I AGREE WITH WHOLEHEARTEDLY, ESPECIALLY ABOUT BITS, KIND HANDS, & HAVING PATIENCE , AS WELL AS CAJOLING.~RATHER THAN BULLYING!! AS WELL AS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DRIVING & RIDING, ( APART FROM THE OBVIOUS, LOL!!) WITH COB SIZED HUGS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF RESPECT TO EVERYONE HERE. ANDRES & CRITTERS. ..XXX.. PS. IVE REMEMBERED THE QUESTIONS. BUT WILL HAVE TO TYPE LATER, BECAUSE OF BLASTED PAIN MEDS!! **SORRY ABOUT THE SHOUTING, CAPS-LOCK STUCK,,,AGAIN**
Brilliant video, and I feel a little better to see that you can turn a mare like Lulu, into a willing pony. I have a riding pony that likes to say no a lot, she stomps her feet and will put in a rear on occasion. Lots of ground work has improved her attitude but there is still a way to go. Thank you for showing the full story of Lulu it’s been very helpful
What a great outcome. She is now much safer for her young owner. Thank you for sharing.🐴
That was so wonderful ! 😊❤
Love this video ❤
That smile on the girl at the end is why we do this, beautiful video.
I can and have trained my own horse(s) but with my current work schedule, I cannot put the hours that are needed into my 3 year old gelding. So I bit the bullet and sent him to a trainer. He needed consistency with someone who could put the time in. Honestly, if not state side, I would have called HDPromotions and have Barry and Rhi work with my big boy. I'm lucky to have someone with a good heart and a consistent hand.
Thanks for the high praise! Great to hear you looked at things practically and made a sensible decision for your horse in terms of your time constraints. Not everybody does that, especially if they've been successful training their own horses before it can be frustrating not to have the adequate time to do it yourself again!
@@barryhook2 you helped me once train an old salt of a riding horse to cart. That was so rewarding! When I was much younger and worked much less, training a young horse wasn't a difficulty. This youngster is actually a very nice animal but currently needs more time than I can give. I am glad to have found a trustworthy trainer close to home
Beatiful video and history with a happy end as always. Thank you Barry to let us understand horses better ❤
Incredible improvement, frankly surprisingly too ‘ So glad for young lass , enjoying a healthier partnership.
She's turned out to be a lovely mare! The horses you train always look happy and willing, even after a difficult start. It's great to see you out on the roads, as I live in the area. I have horses but I never ride on the road now like I used to 20 years ago what with the traffic etc.
Absolutely beautiful. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I ve ridden horses that felt they were going to explode any minute, uncomfortable feeling even if they don’t do anything
What a nice result!
Great little mare, just a bit nappy to start with but with Barry's patience & knowledge she became a nice little driving pony. I believe that you need your horse to trust you before you start doing anything with it . Take your time , use a kind bit, light hands , legs & seat & although I always used a short ,light schooling whip it was only to tap behind my leg to say "listen" . I love watching & listening to "real horsemen/women " . I could watch Barry all day. 😊
That surely is a marvelous success story.
Beautiful.
Well done as always.
You are truly a master
Fantastic Barry, your the best 🙏🏽
Such a pleasure to watch! Thank you.
Beautiful horse! Love the horse hooves sound on the concert. Make a video for Christmas
We usually do a Christmas / New Year compilation, so look out for it!
What a lovely story ❤️ with a happy ending.
You sound like my grandad 😊 exactly the same accent and way of speaking. Lovely stuff. I’m subscribed now because I need your wisdom for daily life 😂
that was nice to watch . thank you .
Excellent. This is the next best thing to going out for a drive. So nice to have you explain your thoughts on the horse & how they learn while teaching viewers how this goes. The one thing you missed when explaining communication; driving v riding, that in addition to feeling through the reins and using your voice, is how you watch her reactions, every flick of the ear or bob of the head... Fine job!
Absolutely - so important when you can't feel them under you to read their body-language any other way you can.
Lovely job Barry well done you both.
What a great job you are doing!! Just wonderful! Congratulations!! I truly would love to bring my own horse to you to teach him carriage driving!
Thank God for the mum's sixth sense and that they acted on it. Does the pony carry her head lower than usual, or is that my imagination?
Thank you! She does carry her head a little lower I feel where she is so relaxed, her head is in line with her body 😊
AGREED, & WELL SPOTTED, HER HEADS LOWER AS SHES RELAXING INTO HER WORK!! 110% AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THIS YOUNG LADYS MUM ALSO! XX
@@AndreaDingbatt thank you! I just knew we needed Barry’s help and he did more then just train our pony to feel safe confident and happy he taught my daughter it too! Been one amazing journey! Xx
Love watching your videos!
love your work!
Another Fantastic video, Barry 👏👏. Luu is now a lovely little mare, and her 'stropps' will be few and far between, due to your training. Horsemen like yourself are rare these days and I'm thrilled to have come across your channel. I had my horse for nearly 16 years and she too had a rubber bit. Not for one second did I even consider any other, (she had it from the day she was old enough to be ridden, right to the age of 27) unlike some who changed theirs more than their socks! And ended up ruining the poor horse😢. Love the Music at the end! ❤
I love the gentle way you are talking to her...
Awesome!
That’s a pretty pony.
❤ wonderful video. X
Love the concept of using kinder bits on horses and ponies. I have always been a big fan of Myler ported bits for natives giving them some tongue relief. It seems thankfully an outdated concept that if a horse is playing up you need a stronger harder bit. I look at the array of bits available and some look medieval and cruel. Looking at your videos though I am now tempted to go one step further and try a rubber bit in a young mini cob I have just taken on I wondered if you have any guidance on what a good reliable brand of rubber bits you prefer and if there is a particular style ie loose ring or D Ring that you tend to use? Many thanks for your advice in these videos and I think I can say on behalf of all horses and ponies out there thank you for teaching compassion and kindness to owners.
Hi Simon, we mainly use Winderen rubber bits now. You can put many cheekpieces on them but we use flexible (or super-flex), loose-ring, straight bar snaffles. We also use Korsteel and Shires - again, completely flexible, straight-bar, loose-ring snaffles. Thanks for the praise!
Wow, good job, Barry! And thanks for talking about bits and spreading the word a bit (excuse the pun!) about they cruel most of them can be. So glad you've turned Lulu into a happier pony.
What a lovely job you are doing! We own 4 American Miniatures. One is driven, two we are breaking in, one is a filly still. I've learned so much from you. Allas I do not understand everything because my english isn't perfekt;-)) But enjoying it anyway! Like in the song; that noise of a hoof is making me smile! Thank you for your aprecciated work!
Don't worry, some native English speakers don't understand Barry's accent so you're doing well as it is!
I have no idea how Mr.Hook gets horses to travel so nicely in rubber bits. I've seen the videos where he puts previous runaways in rubber bits and has no problem. Maybe there's a magic wand involved or it's just him 🙌
Id say he retrains the problem in the brain rather than working on the bit being the solution
Lovely to watch
Thanks for the wisdoms ❤
Sounds like the 13 year old is a good little horseman, but the mother was right not to risk her daughter’s well-being on this matter! The pony is smart, that’s why she can come up with so many ways to test you. Now she’s got some good training, she will be impressive!
I wish I had known more when I was a child because my Welsh mare had a snaffle bit. I know what you are saying is the TRUTH!!!!
Loved very much how you stayed cool and calm with the horse acting crazy in front of you. Let her figure out what to do and not stressing her further
Great video you talk so much sense
Lovely job!
when i owned my old horse, i used to muck him out in the stable all the time. no point taking him out if hes ok. and licking my head.
It can be a chance for some real bonding, we find!
@@barryhook2 me too, and keep the horses dry in heavy rain
I wish I could learn to drive from you. I have only been learning for a year and I am not very good. (I'm learning with an RDA group) I have really good knowledgeable tutors but I am sure I'd learn a lot from you.
If you're over in the UK, you could get in touch about our Experience Days and see if you could spend the day with us. You are probably a lot better than you think, don't be too hard on yourself!
@@barryhook2 thank you, I will
Thanks
I like this video
She may have thought she'd lost the girl and home she'd been so good for!
Watching video was First time we heard she was a little subdued when she arrived at Barry’s and definitely think she probably thought we had sold her! The bond Leah has with lulu is beautiful! She sits and reads to her in the stable, they hang out have lunch together all sorts she adores Leah just a little stubborn streak in her ha ha ❤
Fantastic video as always. Thank you for showing the tricky parts, it did get me wondering if in all your time you’ve had horses that didn’t become safe, confident and happy to drive?
There have been a couple who were not 'happy' driving, who Barry has discussed in some films - 'Smokey Joe' being one of them! But none in all that time that Barry couldn't drive himself.