How to Train Your Horse to be Ridden

The first aspect of training any horse is to build a bond with them. If a horse doesn’t trust you or feel comfortable around you, it’s going to be much harder to get them to do what you want them to do. Giving your horse time to get to know you will make communication between the two of you much easier.

So, how do you bond with a horse? Here are a few ways you can build a connection:

• Spend Time With Your Horse
• Create Positive Associations
• Learn How Your Horse Communicates

When you build between you and your horse, your horse will start to want to with you instead of going back to its herd or stall. The horse will start to consider you as a member of its herd. As most of the training techniques I use mimic the natural behavior of horses in a herd, this is a great place to start.

Groundwork is the foundation for any training you plan on ever doing. Groundwork is basically any training you do on the ground with your horse. There’s a saying in the horse world, “If you can’t do it on the ground, you won’t be able to do it in the saddle.” Likewise, if you can’t get respect on the ground with your horse, you’re sure not going to get respect under saddle.

When it comes to mastering groundwork, there are a few key exercises to be aware of:

• Standing Still
• Properly Leading
• Flexing
• Softening
• Getting Your Horse on a Circle
• Moving the Hind-End
• Moving the Shoulders

Groundwork is a great way to introduce new training to your horse. If you want to train a horse under saddle, groundwork would be the first place you start. While many people may be tempted to skip this step, it is vital to the success of not only your relationship with your horse but also your horse’s understanding of what you’re asking them to do.

Now it’s time to put the saddle on your horse! It’s important to remember that all of this is a new experience for your horse. Knowing how exactly to go about this part of the training will help to keep you and your horse from getting frustrated and overwhelmed.

So, how do you get a horse used to the saddle? Here are the steps I would take:

• Get Your Horse Comfortable With the Saddle On Its Back
• Attach the Girth to the Saddle & Desensitize
• Add the Stirrups to the Saddle & Desensitize

Every horse I’ve ever worked with was somewhat nervous the first time tack was put on them. When it comes to this step, repetition is key. Spend time simply putting the saddle over your horse’s back and pulling it off. Take all the time you need dropping the girth at the horse’s sides and pulling it around them. Let your horse canter around the round pen as long as it needs to get used to the stirrups at its side.

When your horse is finally to the point where they are comfortable with the saddle on their back, the girth around their barrel, and the stirrups at their side, it’s time to start getting your horse used to weight in the saddle. For many horses, this will be the first time they feel a substantial amount of weight on their back.

So, how do you go about getting your horse used to weight in the saddle? Here are some tips:

• Desensitize Your Horse to Weight Being Added
• Lay Across Your Horse’s Back
• Sit on Your Horse

Patience and caution will help you best when it comes time to add weight to your horse’s back. Being able to read your horse’s body language will be able to help you understand when you can advance to the next step or ease back and go back to the basics.