Things You'll Need
- Halter
- Round pen
- Longe whip
- Lead line
- Saddle
Instructions
Round-pen the horse. This is the method commonly used to earn a young horse's trust. Use body language to communicate your dominance to the animal. Be firm, but gentle. If the young horse turns its back to you, use a rope or longe whip to get it moving off. Whenever it disrespects you by turning away, drive it off and keep it moving until it turns and faces you. At this point, soften your body language by dropping the whip and your head and shoulders and not looking directly at the horse. Remain so until the horse approaches you.
Earn the horse's respect. Once it is approaching you and is comfortable being in your space, you must teach it to stay out of your space unless you invite it in. Attach a lead to its halter, and if the horse steps in too close, jiggle or bounce the rope only as much as is necessary to get the horse to step back. As soon as a backward step is achieved, still the rope and praise the horse.
Earn the horse's trust. Do this by only applying as much pressure as necessary to get the desired reaction, and releasing pressure as soon as the horse reacts. Soon the horse will be looking to you for leadership, proving to you that you have earned its trust.
Teach the horse to carry gear. This is its saddle. A stock horse will likely be trained to Western riding, so use a western style saddle. Place it on the ground in the center of the round pen and allow the horse to investigate it on its own. Work with the horse around the saddle until it is not bothered by it. Hold the horse on a loose lead in the center of the pen, lift the saddle with your free hand, and allow it to touch the horse's side, immediately taking it away before the horse has a chance to react to it. Repeat this until the horse does not notice. Take it as high up on the horse's whithers as the horse comfortably allows until you are eventually throwing the saddle onto the horse's back and immediately removing it. When the horse is comfortable with this, allow the saddle to sit on its back for longer periods of time.
Cinch the saddle. Be sure the horse is comfortable with having you touch and rub his girth with your hands, your rope, your whip, the saddle blanket, etc. If it's accustomed to being handled in this fashion, girthing likely won't be an issue. Use the same approach and retreat method here. Reach beneath it, grab the cinch, and pull it up against its girth. Immediately drop it, and repeat, holding it taught for longer periods. When you think the horse is ready, buckle the cinch, pulling only tight enough to hold the saddle in place. Unbuckle it and praise the horse. Buckle it tighter, and unbuckle it. Repeat until the horse is comfortable with the saddle being snugged up.
Work the horse in the saddle from the ground. It will likely be frightened by the motion and noise the saddle makes, but work it gently until it becomes accustomed to it.
Mount the horse the first time by placing one foot in the stirrup and rising carefully on his side. Immediately step down. Repeat until the horse no longer notices. Swing your leg over gently, touch the seat with your seat, then dismount. If the horse is still and accepting, praise it. Repeat until you are comfortable with staying in the saddle.
Teach the horse to move off. Do not try to guide it, but allow it to wander around in the pen and get used to carrying your weight.
Teach the horse to respond to aids, such as reins, and your leg. Consistency is key. Each time you ask something of the horse, do so in the same way, and always release pressure as soon as the slightest movement in the desired direction is obtained.