Hours Day 1
1st
• Teach animals to be caught with ease. This practice can easily be accomplished by having the handler—
Walk into the corral rattling a can with sweet grain.
Call the name of the animal and offer feed.
• Do this every day so that the animal associates the sound of its name with coming to the handler. (The animal also associates the rattle of the grain can with a reward.)
• Check the Preston brands of all animals against the Animal Record Cards.
• Record the name the handler has given the animal.
• Check the equipment to be used with the remounts and place it in quarantine for the 21-day period.
• Tie the animals to secure posts; do not use flimsy articles, such as the boards of a fence.
2d
• Select personnel to work with the remounts.
• Assign one person to an animal.
• Ensure that the best trainers work with the more nervous animals (those that spook easily).
3d
• Inspect all the animals for signs of shipping diseases.
• Report all cases of nasal or watery eye discharge, ringworm, or any other signs of diseases.
• Place any suspected animals on sick call.
4th
• Meet the assigned people and animals.
• Get acquainted with the animals by talking, hand feeding, and petting them.
NOTE: Hand feeding will teach the animal not to fear his handler and will associate the handler with food. As a reward for the animal, it is one of the best methods of gaining the animal’s confidence. Hand feeding may replace the morning grain ration entirely or in part.
• Learn to act in a firm, quiet manner.
Hours Day 1 (Continued)
5th
• Demonstrate with a quiet animal the method of halter breaking with the aid of the haunch rope as follows:
Place a loop of rope over the hindquarters and run the free end through the halter. (This is the “haunch rope.”)
Attach a lead rope to the halter ring to ensure control of the animal during training.
Keep the lead rope slack and call the animal while turning and walking away. If the animal does not follow, give a gentle tug on the rump rope without turning around.
Call the animal and give a command, such as “Come on,” while pulling on the rope.
Tug on the lead rope to reinforce the call.
NOTE: If the animal crowds the handler and clips his heels, the training should be stopped and the handler should get a lunging whip. He runs the whip through his hand and behind him. Then he repeats the leading exercise and, if crowded, waves the whip from side to side behind his back. He does not turn around while he is walking. The movement of the whip is usually enough to convince most animals to keep their distance.
If all else fails, a smart tap on the nose or chest will usually settle matters. Some animals will try to walk beside the handler because of their initial halter training. This is not a problem on flat ground, but it can be a disaster in a narrow passage. If the animal seems disinclined to follow in the handler’s footsteps, he should set up an obstacle course. The handler plants stakes or wire posts in the ground and strings cord between them to make a narrow track. He ties cloth along the lines so that the animal can see the markers.
• Bring the animal up to the course and let it have a good look. (It may shy from the waving markers.)
• Remain calm and speak soothingly while stroking the animal’s head and neck; the animal will eventually follow the handler onto the track.
• Make several passes so the lesson will sink in.
NOTE: If the animal crashes through this barrier, it may be necessary to substitute cavallettis or jumps to create the course. When the handler stops and turns around, the animal should come up to him and stand quietly. The handler accomplishes this by giving a tug on the haunch rope and calling the animal's name. If this does not work, he tugs on the lead rope and calls again. When the animal is in front of him, he gives it a pat as a reward. The handler should discontinue the use of the haunch rope as soon as he is satisfied that the lessons have been learned.
6th
• Demonstrate halter breaking by use of the hackamore or a halter with a neck rope.
• Continue until the animals respond to the rein aids before attempting to use bits.
NOTE: A stubborn animal that will not lead should be snubbed to the saddle horn of the madrina or a mentor and pulled along. The handler walks in front of the animal with the halter shank attached to the halter and simulates leading the animal. A few days of this treatment will usually convince the animal that his handler is leading him. For control of a stubborn animal, the handler uses a neck rope placed around the neck with a half hitch around the nose. This restraint is also useful on animals that break away from their handlers.
Hours Day 1 (Continued)
7th
• Play with the animals, brush them lightly with the brush, hand rub them, and do some currycomb operations.
• Clean out their front feet and simulate shoeing by tapping the feet lightly with a stick or small stone.
8th
• Discuss the day’s work and correction of faults.
• Stress quietness and firmness in handling the animals and that the aim of the handlers is to eliminate fear of people in the animals and to gain their confidence.
Hours Day 2
1st
• Catch the animals in the corral with food rewards after their name is called.
• Exercise the animals lightly.
• Walk the animals around the corral.
• Ride the madrina while the other handlers form on the inside fence with ropes (similar to a racetrack). One person encourages the animals from the rear.
• Stress quietness and safety.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection by the veterinarian.
3d • Practice breaking and leading.
• Use a haunch rope, if necessary.
4th
• Introduce the animals to “strange” things, such as ropes, saddle equipment, papers, raincoats, and blankets.
• Drag a rope over the animals, around the feet, between the legs, across the head and neck, and over the back; let the rope fall over the haunches to the ground in the rear.
(This must be done quietly.)
5th
• Mount all animals bareback.
• Use the full hour. If the animals object, use more time.
• Make no attempt to move the animals.
6th and 7th Review 3d, 4th, and 5th hours.
8th
• Do the same as was done on the first day, including cleaning out the hind feet and simulating shoeing.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Note corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 3
1st Exercise the same as the second day.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d Review the 3d, 4th, and 5th hours of the second day.
4th • Introduce the animal to the blanket and roller.
• Cinch lightly and walk the animals around.
Hours Day 3 (Continued)
5th • Introduce the saddle.
• Lightly tighten the cinch, and lead the animals about with stirrup straps hanging down.
6th • Tighten up the cinch and practice mounting and dismounting.
• Use a mentor, if necessary.
7th
• Review the 3d, 4th, and 5th hours.
• Include tying a raincoat loosely to the saddle.
• Alternate tying to the pommel and cantle.
8th
• Increase hand rubbing, to include the pasterns, front and rear.
• Simulate shoeing all around.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Note corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 4
1st Exercise the same as the second day.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d Review the 3d, 4th, and 5th hours of the second day.
4th Saddle up and practice mounting and dismounting on left and right sides.
5th Practice starting and stopping, at a walk only.
6th Review the 3d, 4th, and 5th hours of the second day.
7th • Mount and turn right and left.
• Mount and dismount.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Note corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 5
1st Exercise the walk and trot alternately.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d and 4th Review those phases of the previous training in which individual animals appear to be deficient.
5th • Mount and drag a rope behind the animal while walking.
• Practice placing ropes all over the animals.
6th Practice starting, stopping, and turning right and left.
7th Review all previous work and training.
Hours Day 5 (Continued)
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 6
1st Exercise the same as the 5th day.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d, 4th, and 5th Review all the previous work.
6th
• Place a small load on the end of the rope for the animals to pull around.
• Practice this exercise dismounted, and later mounted.
• Use a load not to exceed 11 kilograms.
• Make the animals pull straight away.
7th • Mount and practice starting, stopping, and turning right and left, at a walk only.
• Practice picking up an object from the ground on the left and right sides while mounted.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 7
1st
• Perform grooming and health inspection.
• Rest the remainder of the day. (If proper care has been used during this first week, no animals will buck or run away. They will come when called. The animals should be in good health and on the way toward Body Condition Grade 3.)
• Emphasize to all handlers the importance of being gentle and firm and the use of reward and punishment. (By now, all the animals should be quiet and easily caught.)
• Commend the handlers who did outstanding work this week. (Some of the animals will have had some training prior to purchase. These animals will usually show more response to this schedule than green, unhandled animals. They should not be allowed to advance ahead of the slower animals.)
• Keep all animals on the same schedule. It is better to go too slow than too fast.
Hours Day 8
1st • Walk 30 minutes.
• Walk and trot, alternately, 30 minutes.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d and 4th Review all of the previous week’s training.
5th Mount and ride (walk only) all the remounts on a 5-kilometer march with the madrina at the head of the column.
Hours Day 8 (Continued)
6th
Teach the animals to stand without being tied.
NOTE: The objective is to be able to drop the line or reins and have the animal stand as if it were "ground tied.” The rider dismounts dropping the reins and allowing them to dangle. The reins must not be tied. The animal will try to follow due to its previous training of the haunch rope. A lair rope is used to tie the animals to a stake in the ground. It is one centimeter thick and ten meters long with an eye sliced at one end. The other end must be wrapped or seized. Once the animal shows signs of staying put, the line only is dropped on the ground. If this works, the reins only are dropped and the animal is tested to see if it will stay put. This action is repeated as long as necessary.
7th Mount and ride (walk only) the animals double.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 9
1st Exercise the same as the 8th day.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d and 4th Review the previous week’s training.
5th Conduct a cross-country ride (walk and trot) of 5 km.
6th Teach the animals to stand without being tied. (See Note on Day 8, 6th Hour.) 7th Lead the animals from the right side.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s work.
Hours Day 10
1st Exercise the same as the 8th day.
2d Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
3d and 4th Conduct an 8-km march with the bell mare at the head of the column.
5th Mount and ride (walk only) all the remounts on a 5-km march with the madrina at the head of the column.
6th Teach the animals to stand without being tied. (See Note on Day 8, 6th Hour.)
7th and 8th
• Mount and ride (walk only) all the remounts on a 5-km march with the madrina at the head of the column.
• Repeat training to ground tie.
• Use lair rope, if needed.
Hours Day 11
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d and 3d Conduct an 8-km cross-country march as individual riders.
4th
• Review the 6th hour of the 8th day.
• Simulate saddling with a packsaddle. Two handlers place riding saddles on each animal from the rear.
5th
• Have the animals pull a 50-kg weight for 30 minutes by a rope.
• Practice for 30 minutes with mounted mules, using a can filled with rattling objects (lots of noise).
6th • Practice for 30 minutes carrying a load on the saddle while riding double.
• Lead from the right side for 30 minutes.
7th
• Introduce the animals to the packsaddle.
• Saddle up and adjust cinches and breeching (brichen).
• Lead the animals around the corral.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 12
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d and 3d Saddle the animal with a packsaddle for a 5-km march (saddle only) with the madrina at the head of the column.
4th and 5th Review all of the first week’s training.
6th and 7th Review all of this week’s work.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 13
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d and 3d
• Saddle the animal with a packsaddle only for an 8-km march with the madrina at the head of the column.
• Lead from the left and right sides while dismounted.
4th Review the 6th hour of the 8th day.
5th Review the 7th hour of the 10th day.
6th Review the 5th hour of the 11th day.
7th
• Introduce the animals to “strange” things; lead them over obstacles, such as improvised bridges, ditches, and so on.
• Do not allow the animals to jump; hold their heads down.
Hours Day 14
1st through 8th
• Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
• Rest.
NOTE: The animals should be in good health and on the way toward better condition. The handlers should keep the animals coming along slowly, but also should keep increasing the amount of work. The goal is Body Condition Grade 3 and the ability to march twenty miles a day under full payloads of 115 kg, plus packsaddle. Daily marches under full payloads must be maintained to keep in Grade 3.
If the animals go backward in condition through lack of work and then are marched 35 to 45 km under full payloads in hot weather, they will die.
Hours Day 15
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d
• Select the top-load, side-load, and saddle animals.
NOTE: The handler should pay particular attention to selecting animals for top loads, and consider conformation, such as straight backs and low croup.
• Identify gentle, steady, and smooth-gaited animals for medical evacuation duties.
3d and 4th • Saddle all pack animals for a 5-km march.
• Rest the riding animals during this period.
5th, 6th, and 7th
• Saddle the riding animals for a 5-km individual march.
• Walk and trot alternately.
• Practice, while having the animals ground tied, mounting from left and right sides, and pulling a 50-kg weight.
• Ride double.
NOTE: The pack masters and cargadores start fitting packsaddles to the pack animals during this period.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 16
1st through 8th
• Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
• Rest.
• Take the animals on a pleasure ride, if possible.
NOTE: A picnic at midday is a good treat for everyone.
Hours Day 17
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d, 3d, and 4th
• Saddle the pack animals with 20-kg single loads for an 8-km march over obstacles and slightly difficult terrain.
• Rest the riding animals.
Hours Day 17 (Continued)
5th, 6th, and 7th
• Saddle the riding animals for an 8-km march.
NOTE: The pack masters and cargadores continue fitting saddles to the pack animals.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day’s work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day's schedule.
Hours Day 18
1st Tie up the animals for a health inspection.
2d, 3d, and 4th Saddle the pack animals with 35-kg single loads for an 8-km march.
5th, 6th, and
7th Saddle the riding animals for an 11-km march over obstacles and difficult terrain.
8th Hour
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day's work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day’s schedule.
Hours Day 19
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d, 3d, and 4th Saddle pack animals with 50-kg single loads for an 8-km march (same as the 17th day).
5th, 6th, and 7th
Same as the 18th day, except will be a 13-km march.
8th
• Perform grooming tasks.
• Discuss the day's work.
• Apply corrections and go over the next day's schedule.
Hours Day 20
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d, 3d, and 4th Same as the 19th day, except will be a 13-km march.
5th, 6th, and
7th Same as the 18th day, except will be a 16-km march.
8th Perform grooming tasks.
Hours Day 21
1st Tie up all the animals for a health inspection.
2d Prepare for a competitive inspection.
3d, 4th, and 5th Conduct a competitive inspection.
Hours Day 21 (Continued)
6th • Perform grooming tasks.
• Turn animals out to graze and rest.
7th and Beyond
• Give awards for competitive inspection and a party for the entire staff.
• Release animals from quarantine if the veterinarian orders no further quarantine. All animals are released for duty.
• Single out the good handlers and commend them accordingly.
• Make sure the commendation is noted in their records.
Appendix C