How to Manage a Horse Without a Bridle, Using Knees Only

The thought of riding a horse without a bridle terrifies many horse owners. Most horses are trained to respond to cues given by gentle pressure on the reins and do not know how to respond when asked to move using only leg pressure. Training a horse to listen to leg cues and react to knee pressure is essential for a safe bridle-less ride.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Round pen
  • Treats
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Catch the horse with a halter and lead rope and walk him to the round pen. A halter and lead allow you to control and guide the horse, while the round pen keeps the horse contained in a small area if he does escape.

    • 2

      Teach the horse to yield to pressure against his sides. Stand on the horse's left side and press firmly against his ribcage, just behind his shoulder. Turn his head to the right while pushing against him to encourage him to step away from the pressure. Reward him with a treat as soon as he takes a few steps in the right direction.

    • 3

      Move to the horse's right side and repeat the process until she is moving away from you as soon as she feels pressure against her side. You will squeeze the horse's side with your knees to guide her instead of pulling on the reins, so it is essential that she knows how to yield to pressure.

    • 4

      Fit the horse with a saddle and bridle, removing the halter. Mount the horse and ride him for a few minutes to warm him up and allow him to burn off excess energy. Once the horse is warmed up, drape one rein along each side of the horse's neck and tie them together to the saddle horn. This removes all pressure from her mouth while preventing the reins from falling to the ground.

    • 5

      Squeeze gently with both knees and lean forward in the saddle to encourage the horse to walk forward. Allow the horse to walk a few steps on her own, then sit back in the saddle and tell her "woah" to encourage her to stop. Pull up on the reins if she doesn't stop on her own. Ask her to move forward and stop again, repeating this exercise until she stops as soon as you say the word "woah."

    • 6

      Untie the reins from the saddle horn and dismount to remove the bridle, then remount and squeeze with your left knee to ask him to move to the right. Let him take a few steps to the right, then sit down and ask him to stop. Squeeze with your right knee to move him to the left, petting and praising him when he moves away from the pressure.

    • 7

      Work the horse at a walk until she is moving away from your knees and stopping every time you ask her to. Gradually increase her speed to a trot and a canter until she is performing all cues without a bridle.