Wild Horse Mentors' Wild Horse Workshop '98 Page Ten SGT Mark Atwood

First Sergeant Mark Atwood directs the Army's Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard which is based in Ft. Riley, Kansas. The primary function of the color guard is ceremonial presentations, war reenactments and state events such as funerals. In addition to being responsible for the unit, SGT Atwood starts and trains the new horses which are acquired for the ceremonial troop. He also is involved in private horse training both as a trainer and as a consultant. The horses in the Mounted Color Guard have to be rock solid, capable of staying quiet and under control even as cannon fire close by in war reinactments. SGT Atwood started several of the yearlings at the workshop. The army had considered using older BLM horses in its unit but their attempts last year got tangled up in some procedural snafus. Mark hopes to get them involved in adopting excess BLM horses of proper size and color this coming season. In an effort to ensure the Army's enthusiasm for this project, the mentors "passed the hat" and purchased a big (almost 16hh), black 2 year old gelding for the Color Guard. He was nicknamed 9-1-1 as that was his ID number. We think 9-1-1 will be a hit. (9-1-1 is now named Riley. He's doing well and will be part of the Ceremonial Unit.) Going quietly over the "terror tarp"

Sgt. Atwood "spookproofing" Sarge Mark & Molly - First Ride 9-1-1... I mean "Riley"

Where to go from there with the yearlings: Confidence training--the obstacle work that you folks have set up is great, just be sure to constantly re-arrange and change it, think up new stuff. The only limit to what you do is from your imagination. 20-30 minutes confidence training with the obstacles, then 20-30 minutes sacking out with again, whatever you can think up. However, be sure that after they stand quietly for the sacking out once, you stop and reward. It's similar to Tellington-Jones in that you touch them all over their body.

I recommend Foal Imprinting, by Robert Miller, for ideas on what's next. Take off the word 'foal' from the title and the book is just as good.

Bits: Avoid "fancy", severe, bits that are only for professional trainers--twisted wire, e.g.. Keep it simple. There's no substitute for all the confidence training and sacking out; do not rely on the bit to fix problems. I recommend a low port, pelham, or something with a sidepull. "Response Zones:" (Sketch to follow)

    Zone      Location                            Use 
    Zone 1    Nose to Poll                        Direction and stopping 
    Zone 2    Poll to Withers                     Direction and flexion 
    Zone 3    Withers to Points of hip            Stepping off to sides 
    Zone 4    Pts of hip to croup/base of tail    Turn hindquarters 
    Zone 5    Base of tail to 4-5 feet behind     Impulsion 

Thanks, 1SG Atwood, for these valuable follow-up comments! For additonal bio info about the Sergeant and the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard, Click Here!