How to Train a Greenbroke Horse

The training that a young green broke horse receives can set the tone for the rest of its life, so it is important to make that training as good as possible. Training a green broke horse is rarely an easy proposition, but if you have experience working with horses, training your own horse is often the best choice. When you train your own horse you can mold the finished product and train the horse for your needs, rather than relying on the training someone else has been able to do.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Longe line
  • Longe whip
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
  • Burlap sack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the halter on your horse and attach a soft cotton lead rope. A lead rope between 15 and 20 feet works very well for a green broke horse, since it provides a good range of motion and allows you to do some rudimentary longing by asking the horse to move around your body.

    • 2

      Work on leading the horse, making sure that it neither lags behind nor charges ahead. Proper ground manners are the foundation of good saddle training, and you should not move on to riding until the horse is trustworthy on the ground. If the horse begins to charge ahead, stop it firmly by tugging on the lead rope, then ask it to back up a few steps. Repeat this process until the horse leads with his body just behind yours.

    • 3

      Use an old burlap sack or similar object to get the green broke horse used to having its body touched. Rub the sack all over its body. Take the sack away when the horse responds calmly, then repeat the process.

    • 4

      Repeat the same process using a saddle pad. Throw the saddle pad casually over the horse's back, over his rump and along his side. This will get the horse used to the feel of the saddle pad and make future saddle training easier.

    • 5

      Remove the lead rope from the halter and attach a longe line. Stand still and ask the horse to move around you in a circular pattern. Some green broke horses will take to longing quite naturally, while others will need a bit of practice to get the hang of it. Use the longe whip only to provide encouragement and keep the horse moving forward.

    • 6

      Place the saddle pad gently on the horse's back, then carefully put the saddle in place. Tighten the cinch just enough to hold the saddle in place and prevent it from sliding around the horse's belly Move the horse out on the longe line and ask it to walk, trot and finally canter. It will take several training sessions to work through this early saddle training -- do not feel like you need to do everything at once. It can take many months to take a horse from green broke to a solid riding animal.

    • 7

      Place the bridle on the horse and allow it to get used to carrying the bit. Young green broke horses should be started in a plain snaffle, since it is a mild bit with a simple action. When you do move on to riding, be sure to use two hands on the bridle -- this will allow the snaffle bit to work properly.

    • 8

      Place the saddle on the horse and tighten the cinch. Put your foot in the stirrup and bounce up and down a few times. Repeat the process on the other side to get the horse used to having weight in the stirrups. Continue this process until the horse is accepting your weight, then casually swing up into the saddle. Ask the horse to move out a few steps at a walk, progressing slowly over several weeks until you are moving at all three gaits.