How to Train a Horse That Toys With You

A horse that toys with you is demonstrating a lack of respect. Observe your horse in a setting with others to watch herd behavior; there is always a dominant animal who is clearly respected by the herd. Watch how he asks a horse to do what he wants, then warns, then "tells" -- through biting, kicking or chasing. Establish your dominance over your horse and you will experience a completely different relationship: respectful and, most importantly, safer.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope halter
  • Dressage or longe whip, or 4-foot training stick
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      A rope halter with a long lead is an effective training tool.

      Apply a rope halter with a lead 12 to 14 feet long to teach your horse to move away from the least amount of pressure, which is the ultimate goal. The knots on the rope halter create pressure points that lessen resistance, whereas he can resist against a web halter more easily and engage you in a battle of strength that you cannot win. Start with the softest possible hands and let your horse respond before exerting more pressure.

    • 2

      Rub a longe or dressage whip or other training stick all over your horse's body, including his head, around his ears, under his belly and across his hindquarters. You will be using this in your ground training to establish respect, and while you want him to respect your training tools, you do not want him to fear them. Repeat the rubbing on both sides of the horse.

    • 3

      Teach your horse to disengage the hindquarters and forequarters. When you make a motion toward your horse's hindquarters, you want him to cross one hind foot over the other and move the hindquarters away from you. Stand about where the girth would be, and "ask" him by making a movement toward his hindquarters, then bumping him with your hand or with a stick or whip. When he crosses the hind foot over, remove the pressure to reward him. For the forequarters, the horse will cross one front foot over the other and pivot on his back feet. Stand even with your horse's shoulders, holding the lead rope about eye level. Tap his neck lightly with the stick or whip. Remove the pressure when he crosses the front feet. Repeat on the other side.

    • 4

      Ask the horse to back up away from you. Stand beside his head, holding the lead rope just below the clip or knot under the chin and the other part of the rope in the opposite hand. As you take a step toward the shoulder, exert a tiny bit of pressure on the halter. If he does not respond, exert more pressure or jiggle the lead rope. As soon as the horse "gives" to the pressure by going back, release the pressure. You can also stand in front of him and raise your hands or shake the lead rope until he steps back.

    • 5
      Use your hand, whip or stick to apply pressure to your horse's side.

      Reinforce your "go forward" cues on the ground. Many horses toy with their owners by refusing to move.

      This resistance can escalate to bucking or rearing. Practice your leg pressure cues. Using your hand, arm, stick or dressage whip, apply light pressure to his sides where your leg will be when mounted, removing it as soon as he takes a step forward, Reinforce this any time you are around your horse.