Q&A    Questions and Answers:

I'm 16 years old and from Virginia. I like working with horses. I broke a three-year-old small pony for my three-year-old brother. I would like to work with more horses. What is the best way to learn?

ANSWER:

If you've already succeeded in training a pony well enough for a three-year-old to ride, I'd say you've got the "right stuff" and are well on your way toward working with horses. Books and instructors will help you refine your skills, but you need to actually work with the animals in order to develop the alertness, patience, dependability and other traits so essential to good horsemanship.

You didn't tell me if you live in a rural area, but from your pony experience I'd guess that you do. Look around your area for a trainer who has a good reputation. (You can scout them at your local fairs and horse shows.) Then approach him or her and volunteer to help as a stable hand in exchange for instruction as a trainer. Some may even offer to pay you a bit, but don't count on it.

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