How to Train a Horse Who Does Not Like to Be Ridden

Training horses takes a lot of consistency and a huge amount of patience. Like humans, horses are all different and learn at different rates. Any horse that is displaying behavior issues under saddle should be taken back to ground training and re-taught basic groundwork. If a horse cannot be controlled on the ground, the horse will not be able to be ridden in a saddle. Many horses are trained too quickly by skipping basic ground training. By taking the horse back to the basics, you can re-train it to be a pleasurable riding horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle blanket
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
  • Halter
  • Lunge line
  • Round pen
  • Lunge whip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tack the horse up by putting on the saddle blanket and saddle.

    • 2

      Put the bridle on the horse, tie the reins together and place them on the saddle horn located on the saddle.

    • 3

      Put a halter on the horse's head over the bridle, and attach the lunge line to the halter.

    • 4

      Lead the horse to the center of the round pen or a large outdoor area.

    • 5

      Tap the whip behind the horse's rear to encourage it to move forward. Give the voice command to "walk." As the horse moves forward, start letting out the excess lunge line and encourage the horse to keep moving forward by making a clucking sound.

    • 6

      Hold the lunge whip perpendicular to the hind end of the horse, and use it to create energy behind the horse. The whip will keep "pressure" on the horse (never hit the horse with the whip) to move forward even though the whip is not touching the horse. This will encourage the horse to keep moving forward.

    • 7

      Tap the whip behind the horse again and give the voice command for the horse to "trot." Periodically make the horse change directions by giving the command to "reverse." If at any time the horse balks or refuses, tap the whip behind it (and create energy in the lunge line) to get it to move forward. You want to control the horse by making the horse move in the direction you dictate. This step may take days or even weeks, depending on the horse. Be patient and consistent. Once the horse easily obeys voice commands for walk, trot and reverse, go to the next step.

    • 8

      Lead the horse to the round pen and put him through his gaits of walk, trot and reverse to warm him up. Next, work on making the horse stop by giving the "whoa" command. "Whoa" means stop immediately, not stop and take a step. "Whoa" is one of the most important commands a horse must learn in order to keep both the horse and the rider safe. If the horse refuses to stop, pull the lunge line into yourself to make the horse slow down. Give the command again to "whoa." If the horse still refuses, make the horse back up in a straight line. Lead the horse forward and give the "whoa" command again. Repeat this step until your horse consistently stops upon the command to "whoa."

    • 9

      Warm the horse up by working him in full tack (bridle, halter, saddle blanket and saddle) on the lunge line in a secure round pen through all of the basic commands (walk, trot, reverse, whoa). Next, get in the saddle and begin to put the horse through its gaits. If at any time the horse regresses, go back to working the horse on the ground.