Pixie - I just started a new thread that gets (I think) to the heart of your original question.  It is something I have been wondering myself as I have seen as many different methods of training as their are trainers in every performance venue I have looked at.  I do not claim to be an expert in any of them and am always interested in each persons method and style.  It helps me to incorporate and develop my own training methods.  I did this when I started training in obedience and have met my goal sooner than I ever expected their with Halo's High in Trial at the Nationals.  So, now since I am starting in the hunting arena I am looking at those styles and methods.  Check out my new thread and please post your method (I know you don't do FT or HT, but still interested in you training steps for your hunting/performance venues).

I must have missed something.  What does this have to do with the topic at hand?

I hate to go off topic but with my dogs they are learning to pattern, hunt, and find wild birds from about six months old, to 18-24 months.  It varies depending on the dog though.

When they are ready for more, they let us know and we advance from there.

You are off topic.  This post has nothing to do with FTs only with introducing a dog to horses. 

I have run my dog in NAVHDA NA test, passed her JH test and run her in 3 WALKING FTs.  She is 11mos old and has a bunch of FT in her future and will run her through her SH test.  Your issue is you know nothing about FTs so should anyone bother to respond to your questions and opinions.  Sorry to hurt your feelings but the same dogs running in WFT also run in HBFT.  What you consider a foot hunting dog is not what I consider a foot hunting dog.  This board would be better off if you could just accept that and leave it alone.   

Why would it matter if her dog has been taught obedience?  Why do you assume that a FT trainer can only train FT dogs.  Unlike you most trainers don't specialize in one thing and one thing only.  They are able to adapt the training based on what the owner wants out of the dog.  Why would a dog knowing how the handle birds hurt their abilities in a HT?  Try understanding the venues you are talking about so you can make educated comments.  Try going to a FT and a HT then come back and comment, until then you should leave those topics to people that know something about them. 

I don't know who you are referring to, but if it is my post first I stated I started a new thread as I new my question was off topic.  The rest I am not sure what you mean as I also stated I am new to hunting and I am trying to learn from others methods.  If you are not talking to me, then nevermind.

Bev not directed at you in any way.