Tips on Beginning Horse Training

The romance of horses seems to be a bit richer than that of many other types of animals from recent centuries, part of which can likely be attributed to the glamour and glitz that Hollywood bestows upon them. Although many people have an interest in horse riding and training, the reality of doing this is a different story. Horse training can be difficult for a beginner. Beginners can keep in mind many tips that will make the first few horse training experiences flow more smoothly.

  1. Time

    • Time is a two-fold process when it comes to horse training. One of the most important things is to spend as much time as possible with your horse, especially at an early age. The more time you spend with it, the more trust that will develop. The second aspect of time relates to the timing of training, which is mainly dependent upon the horse's age. Formal training usually will not begin until around two years of age; however, foals can sometimes go into training earlier.

    Long Rope Training

    • Long rope training --- also known as "longeing" --- is one of the most common beginning points of horse training. This part of the training takes place with you on the ground. The long line of rope is attached to the halter of the horse. It allows you to control the horse thoroughly, providing it with a large area of movement while it's learning commands.

    Walking and Commands

    • Teaching a horse to walk on a lead rope is the first key. Also called "lead training," you to teach the horse to walk with you and listen to basic commands, including ones for stopping and starting. When a horse tests you by trying to avoid obeying, be stern with your directions, as it can make training down the road more difficult if the horse learns to disobey at an early age.

    Warm Up and Riding

    • Another often forgotten key to beginning as well as advanced horse training is warming up. The horse needs to walk around, usually through the process of longeing, to loosen up its muscles. To introduce a saddle, you will first introduce it for only a few minutes on the horse's back, removing it immediately. This is repeated for several days until the point where you then allow the horse to wear the saddle during longeing. The same thing goes for adding a rider. You will sit on the horse for a few minutes, gradually increasing time day by day until the horse is used to you.