How to Ride Bridleless

The image riding a horse without a bridle connotes an ethereal bond between rider and mount. But how can you actualize such a special connection? Most horses, given the opportunity, will walk in the direction of the nearest food source. However, with skill, time and patience, you can convince your horse to let you direct it without pulling on the reins. You must be an experienced rider, and your well-trained horse must respond to your cues, before you attempt to ride without a bridle.

Things You'll Need

  • Grooming tack
  • Clicker
  • Treats
  • Longe line
  • Halter
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build trust and affection by grooming your horse for long periods before and after you ride. Some days, don't ride at all. Talk to, pet, and feed treats to your horse when it cooperates. You will know that you are succeeding by your horse's reaction to you. It might nicker when you arrive at the stable or pasture or walk to you from wherever it is, and its ears will be pricked forward during your interactions.

    • 2

      Implement clicker training. First, build a positive association between your horse and the sound of the click. Click, then offer praise and a treat; repeat until the horse anticipates getting a treat when it hears the sound of the clicker. When this connection is securely embedded, withdraw the treat and only use the click and praise to signal success. In effect, the click becomes the reward. Occasionally, however, give a treat in addition to the click to reinforce the connection.

    • 3

      Teach your horse verbal commands while riding. Give the physical cue and at the same time say what you want: "Walk," Trot," "Canter," or "Halt," followed by a click and praise. Next, give the command verbally, wait, and then execute the cue physically; click and praise when your horse complies. Your goal is to get your horse to respond to the verbal cue before you give the physical one. Be sure to click and praise consistently for good performance. Always end on a positive note and give the horse a treat at the end of the lesson.

    • 4

      Work your horse on the longe line to reinforce the verbal commands and to begin fading the click reward. First, work on transitioning from a halt to a walk, then to trot to canter; then canter, walk, trot, halt. Click and praise for success. Then mix up the commands so that the horse must listen closely in order to succeed and receive the click and praise. Occasionally stop and give the horse a treat for the especially good execution of a cue. End on a positive note and give treats to the horse.

      When the horse responds immediately and confidently to your verbal commands, begin fading the click; click intermittently, every third time, then every fifth, until you are no longer using the clicker. Continue to praise verbally throughout the session. End on a positive note and give the horse a treat.

    • 5

      Take your horse, sans bridle and saddle, to an enclosed area, such as a paddock or closed riding ring. Mount and ask the horse to walk. Do not give a physical cue; if the horse seems confused, stop and go back to the previous step in the training.

      If the horse steps forward confidently, click and praise. Ask the horse to halt; click and praise if it complies. Proceed slowly to ensure success as you ask for halt, walk, trot, and canter; as you and your horse gain confidence, mix up the order in which you give the cues. Click and praise each time your horse succeeds. End on a positive note and give your horse a treat when the session ends.

      After you are sure your horse understands what you want, being to fade the click as in the step above, finally relying only upon praise as a reward. Be sure to give the horse a treat after every session.