Simply spending time with the horse in his stall, in the arena, or in the pasture. Pull up a chair and just sit with him, or walk around slowly - not getting too close - letting him get used to having you around. Soon you will see him beginning to follow your movements with his eyes and head, watching you curiously. Do this everyday, without putting any pressure on the horse to interact with you. In time, he will walk up to you of his own accord and start to investigate more closely. Allow him to smell you, nuzzle you and lick you, without attempting any contact in return. The more time you spend with the horse, the more they’ll trust you. [1] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020. Once trust has been established, the horse may walk over to you as you approach, whinny in greeting or start following you as you move around. That’s when you know you’ve made friends![2] X Research source
Always keep your voice at a conversational level—never yell or scream around the horse. [4] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020. Some people even like to read to their horses. This is particularly great for cold winter evenings, when it’s too dark or too icy to ride. Pull up a chair in the horse’s stall and whip out a book. Experiment with different genres and styles to see whether your horse is more of a Dr. Seuss or Tolstoy kinda guy. Others sing to their horses. This can be a nice way to bond with the horse as you groom him or bring him for a walk. Again, stick to a soothing tone of voice. No death metal please.
Try gradually moving towards the horse, step by step, before reaching out a hand to touch him. Place a hand on the horse’s shoulders or back. Only do this for a few seconds, then remove your hand and back away. This is very non-threatening behavior and will help the horse to feel safe. Most horses have a “sweet spot” on their withers, which is located at the base of the mane, between the shoulder blades. A quick scratch on this spot can instantly cause the horse to relax. People unfamiliar with horses will usually reach straight for a horse’s face or nose, but this is a mistake. A horse’s nose is a very sensitive and private spot, and should only be touched when the horse allows it. Never run around a horse. [5] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.
You can do the same by gently blowing in your horse’s nostrils to say hello. If you suck a peppermint beforehand, he’ll probably like you even more!
Things like raisins, sugar cubes, apple slices, carrots, sunflower seeds, hay cubes and peppermints are usually popular, though you should experiment with different foods to find out what your particular horse is partial to. Only give treats in moderation, as the horse’s health is a priority. They should be given as a reward for good behavior after training or grooming. Make sure the horse has no medical conditions that could cause him to react badly to a particular type of food. Avoid keeping treats in your pocket or feeding the treats by hand. Over time, a horse can come to associate these places with certain tasty morsels and may begin to nip at fingers or nuzzle at pockets. Do not encourage this behavior; place treats in a feeder or bucket instead. [7] X Research source
Young, well-cared for horses may quickly imprint on a new owner, trusting them completely within a matter of weeks. Older horses, who may have been mistreated in the past, will be slower to adjust to a new person and their trust will need to be earned slowly over several months, or even years. It is important to have patience with the horse and avoid pushing him to do things he’s not comfortable with. Like human friendships, a relationship with a horse takes time to build. But once trust is established, you will have a friend for life.
Begin by taking your horse for a walk, as you would a dog. Use a halter and lead and go on a small expedition, walking beneath trees, through water or over bridges, side by side. This will plant you firmly within your horse’s comfort zone. Always walk beside the horse, never in front of it, and avoid dragging or tugging on the lead. Walk beside his head or place your hand on his shoulders, stroking him and talking to him as you walk. Think of it like holding hands!
Train him to turn left and right, stop and and back up in response to slight movements of the lead or bridle. Training the horse to respond to such requests on the ground will benefit you hugely in the saddle.
However, it is important to understand the difference between a horse who’s behaving badly and a horse that’s confused or frightened. Don’t expect him to perform actions he hasn’t been trained to do, or to respond to conflicting requests. Make sure to be fair and consistent in your training – use the exact same cues every time you make a request, without variation. Horses are creatures of habit and will only respond to familiar requests. [8] X Research source
Learn to read your horses facial expressions and body movements, however subtle. These will help you to interpret how a horse is feeling, and may even allow you to head off an accident when the horse is frightened or upset. [10] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020. For instance, if a horse’s ears are forward he is paying attention and interested in what’s going on, if they’re splayed to the side he’s relaxed or asleep and if they’re pinned back he is angry or frightened. [11] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020. Other body parts to pay attention to include the tail, the muzzle, the eyes and the legs. Sometimes, a horse will keep one ear forward and one ear back, which helps them be more aware of their surroundings. [12] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.
This process will take time, as the horse learns to read your cues and you his. It will require patience, perseverance and, of course, frequent riding. You can’t expect to become one with a horse you only ride once a week. Put time and effort into achieving oneness with your horse and the results will pay dividends.
Thoroughly grooming your horse with a curry comb is a good place to start, just make sure to get all those spots that he can’t reach himself, like his chest and belly. Always groom your horse before you put a saddle on and go for a ride. [13] X Expert Source Alana SilvermanCertified EAGALA Equine Specialist Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.
Work a specialized horse shampoo into his coat with a soft sponge, but be sure to thoroughly rinse it out afterwards, to avoid irritation. Remove any excess water with a sweat scraper.
Once he allows you to touch his fetlock, lightly squeeze a few inches above it with your thumb and forefinger. This is his cue to lift his foot. Once he allows you to lift his foot, check that the shoe is intact and that there is nothing lodged in his hoof. Gently place his foot back on the ground and reward him with a pat.
Once he allows you to touch his fetlock, lightly squeeze a few inches above it with your thumb and forefinger. This is his cue to lift his foot. Once he allows you to lift his foot, check that the shoe is intact and that there is nothing lodged in his hoof. Gently place his foot back on the ground and reward him with a pat.
Learn to recognize the feel of your horse’s muscles, and be able identify which areas need the most work. In time, he will learn to lean into the massage, showing you where he needs work. Sometimes a quick mouth massage is all that’s needed, other times you will really need to dig in deep, working hard to loosen his hips or shoulder muscles. [3] X Research source
Learn to recognize the feel of your horse’s muscles, and be able identify which areas need the most work. In time, he will learn to lean into the massage, showing you where he needs work. Sometimes a quick mouth massage is all that’s needed, other times you will really need to dig in deep, working hard to loosen his hips or shoulder muscles. [3] X Research source
Rub a couple of drops of your chosen oil under his nostrils and around his muzzle and he will happily oblige your every request. As an added bonus, essential oils also work as an insect deterrent, which can be helpful during summertime treks. [3] X Research source
