Training Tips for Horses

Whether you intend to ride your horse for leisure or turn it into a racing legend, your first step involves training. A horse is a sensitive, perceptive animal that requires a skilled hand in the training process. While there is no one magical technique guaranteed to achieve satisfactory results, experienced trainers know how to tailor their approach based on the personality of the horse.

  1. Establish a Bond

    • Work to create a close relationship with your horse. A trusting horse is far more receptive to the many things you ask of it throughout the process. Praise your horse when it learns something new and use positive reinforcement in the form of treats. Try to use training methods that help to develop a personal relationship with the horse, and remember not to apply pressure when training; this creates a stressful learning environment that actually hinders the process.

    Introduce the Saddle Slowly

    • When you are first starting to work with a horse, do not attempt to slip a riding saddle on it out of nowhere. Introduce it to the horse gradually by holding it out for the horse to see without touching the horse with it initially. Once its fear of the saddle disappears, place it on the horse, but give the horse time to adjust to it before riding. Coax the horse to keep it calm and teach it that the saddle is not a threat.

    Show Confidence

    • Horses are keenly aware of your body language at all times, and if you show any hesitation or fear in the training process, your horse picks up on it instantly. Similarly, if you go into the training with confidence, your horse notices and over time gains the same confidence, improving your results.

    End on a High Note

    • Never finish a training session on a negative note, even if you and your horse are fed up with the lessons for the day and have not accomplished anything for hours. If you are unable to make progress in the current training activity, go back and review a simpler lesson from earlier in the training process. Pick something the horse has already mastered so its most recent association with training is one of success.

    Develop Communication

    • Your horse must learn early on what your vocal cues mean as you ride. Although a horse is receptive to human feedback, your words are meaningless until you provide your horse with an association for your words. When your horse does something right, use a short, simple phrase to let it know that you are pleased with it. Use the phrase repeatedly in various situations such as grooming, leading or feeding until the horse understands the positive aspect of the phrase. Likewise, you must also establish sounds or words to discourage a horse when it misbehaves through the same process.