Horses are prey animals, so they are always on high alert. They are aware of all changes and will be startled by sudden movement. [1] X Research source If you have a foal or horse younger than 4 or 5 years old, don’t worry about riding and focus on building trust and confidence through simple leading and grooming. You should spend a significant amount of time gaining the horse’s trust before starting to train it. Do this even if the horse is already broken, but it is new to you.
The best place to stand is on the horse’s side, angled towards its head where it can easily see and hear you. Talk to your horse when you are out of its eyesight. This helps your horse know where you are. Don’t start off walking into the horse’s blind spots, build confidence where it can see you, first. Only kneel or squat by the horse if you are sure it is used to the task you are performing. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Never give up. Some steps may be easier than others for your horse. Training is a big commitment. End each lesson on a success. Even if it’s just a little bit of progress, like the horse letting you get the halter near its face, always end on a good note.
If the horse disobeys you, correct it in a calm manner without showing aggression. It is okay to lightly tap the shoulder or buttocks with a rope to correct disrespect, but all training “failures” are nothing but a sign that you have not truly prepared your horse for the task. [5] X Research source You may have to give your horse firm reinforcement of tasks if you have lost some control. Do backing up exercises to reassert your dominance without using violent means.
Negative reinforcement would be a continuation of pressure or an escalation of pressure. Ex. You try to teach the horse to walk with you on a lead rope. You take a step, but it will not follow. You take another step, but it still does not come. Now you would gently pull on the rope, increasing pressure until it takes a step. Then, you immediately release the pressure. Soon it learns to walk for a little pressure to avoid more pressure and the horse eventually moves when you walk. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Make sure to give the horse release when it allows more touch. The horse will know your touch does not hurt and it does not need to shake you off since you will back away on your own.
This may take multiple attempts. Be patient and calm, trying to make a little bit of progress each day. Try using food to motivate your horse, such as by luring your horse into its muzzle with a carrot. Take the halter off immediately once it is on so it will not get anxious and allow it more easily the next time. Remember, you are teaching it these things are not scary and go away on their own so your horse does not feel the need to fight.
Adding a layer of molasses to the bit can help encourage the horse to put it in its mouth and make it more enjoyable. [8] X Research source
Gradually work your way up to fastening the straps. Remember to let the horse get used to the feel of the bridle on its head and ears.
As you start training the horse to longe, don’t do it longer than 10 minutes in each direction. Build the horse up for longer sessions, because long periods of longeing can put a lot of strain on a horse’s body. Longing should take around 15 to 20 minutes total. You may want to get a lunge whip, which is a stiff 6 ft (1. 8 m) or longer whip that you can use to guide the horse in the direction you want it to go.
Move your body with your horse so that the longe line has a steady contact. The horse will eventually accept this contact and walk in a circle to maintain that contact instead of pushing and pulling away.
You should never touch your horse while longing; all cues should be given through changes in energy and body position, or with swinging the end of your longe line. Longeing is a trust exercise; every time your horse does as you ask, break eye contact and release the pressure you’re applying. Longeing is also a great way to exercise your horse when you cannot ride it.
Try using body language instead of voice cues. Widening your arm or looking just ahead of the horse can tell them to speed up. [9] X Research source
Alternatively, stand on the right side of the horse. Pull the lead rope to the right to apply pressure. The horse should learn how to turn his head towards you from that command. Repeat for turning left, doing the same things as for the right except pulling in the direction that you are. Do the same thing for forward and backward by applying pressure on the halter in the correct direction. The horse will learn to follow the pressure to release the pressure.
After the horse is used to the sight of it, hold the saddle over the horse’s back without touching. [10] X Research source
If the horse becomes very frightened, more than is controllable, quickly remove the saddle pad/blanket and return to a more familiar task like rubbing with the blanket or leading before you try again.
Make sure you remove the stirrups and leathers while saddle breaking a horse.
When your horse allows the girth to be tightened all the way, lean gently on the horse’s back.
Do this slowly over the course of 1 to 2 weeks. Only introduce one new element at a time. Let the horse lose his fear of the item before introducing it to something new. [12] X Research source Walk the horse around with the stirrups on after it has gotten used to the way they feel. This will help to get the horse used to the feeling of the stirrups bumping against its sides and the feeling of the tack on its back.
When the horse accepts this, release the pressure and stroke its neck.
Build up to swinging your right leg over the horse’s back, always releasing pressure until it is comfortable with you sitting on it. Begin walking him slowly, only a few steps, using the verbal cues you use when longing. Do not use the reins yet. Stop the horse with your verbal cues and dismount often. Start picking the reigns up while standing still and drop them to release. Work up to holding the reins as the horse walks. [15] X Research source
Slowly build up the time you are in the saddle over a period of several weeks or months. Do not attempt to increase the speed until your horse is 100% comfortable with you while walking. It may take a full year or longer before you can trot and canter on your horse. Don’t rush the process, as it could train your horse to be fearful of you because you are unpredictable or push it for too much
