Even though carriages are no longer a common form of travel, it is still possible to train an Alter Real to be the efficient carriage horse it was first developed to be. As it requires a horse to be comfortable with having a noisy object following behind them, training a carriage horse takes a certain type of preparation. Handlers know sensitive creatures like the Alter Real will require a most gentle approach to help them get used to certain harnesses and bits. As each trainer has a different way of handling this, there can be a number of variations on techniques for accomplishing this feat.
A good carriage horse is one that is compact, sturdy and alert. As such, the Alter Real readily fits these requirements plus many more. In general, the first thing trainers do is establish a strong rapport with the horse. This will help the Alter Real feel safer and more comfortable with what he or she will be asked to do as the training progresses. Only when the alert and perceptive Alter Real feels there is no threat will they temper their awareness into the task at hand. In order to see the breed's natural ability for pulling carriages emerge, handlers will need patience and gentle persistence.
For some handlers, starting a horse out with two short training periods per day is better than one long winded training session. This keeps the horse from becoming overwhelmed with the new things he or she is learning. Depending on how well the horse is trained to begin with, handlers may start out by teaching the horse the very basics of leading and ground manners. Then, handlers will fit the horse with a number of different bridles until the horse is comfortable working in a blind bridle. A blind bridle is what keeps the horse from becoming distracted while working.
To keep the horse and carriage in a smooth train of progression, horses must learn to change their gait safely. This can take some time for a horse to learn; however, with the Alter Real this is where their perceptive nature comes in handy. They seem to have a certain knack for sensing just when and where the right changes need to be made. Once this is accomplished, handlers will next introduce the horse to the harnesses that pull the carriage. As the aim is to merely give the Alter Real a chance to experience what wearing such equipment feels like, the harnesses are at first attached to nothing.
The last step comes in attaching a light carriage. As the horse becomes accustomed to the various aspects of maneuvering with a small coach, handlers will progressively add more weight to increase stamina. Sometimes handlers may instead opt to progress into different carriage sizes. The Alter Real then works for a number of weeks pulling the carriage in different environments. At the end of a very long process, the result is a carriage pulled by one of the most prestigious breeds in existence.
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