How to Train a Horse in Two Weeks

Put the horse in a round pen or corral. A round pen or enclosed area 60 feet wide or less is the ideal sized pen for training horses. That gives you a close area to work with the horse but it's large enough for the horse to not feel trapped.

Use a lariat around the horse's neck, up near its ears but not directly behind them. Place the loop there and hold the end of the rope. Make the horse move around in a circle next to the fence of the round pen while you stand in the center. Move toward the horse to make him move forward and jiggle the rope. Take large steps back away from him while tugging on the rope to get it to stop. That may not work the very first time, but after a few times of doing that consistently, the horse will begin responding to your movements. Do that a few times a day for at least two days.

Keep the horse moving until it wants to stop and look at you. If it loses interest, make him keep moving. If it wants to come to you, allow it to do so, and pet it, especially around its head and neck. Use the end of the rope to run over its body, letting the horse know it doesn't need to be afraid of ropes. Use other objects to rub it with, like saddle pads, sheets, plastic bags and other objects. Show the horse that those items won't hurt it. Do that step every day, even after riding the horse, to build trust.

When the horse is comfortable with being rubbed with various objects, slowly place a halter on the horse's head. Use slow movements so it doesn't get scared. If it shies away, make it move around the round pen until it calms down and wants to meet you in the center again. Try the halter again, repeating the steps until it is comfortable being haltered. Once the halter is on, make the horse move around the pen the same way as before so it can get used to the halter. From that point forward, place the halter on the horse every time you work with it.

Once the horse is comfortable with the halter, make it stand still while you keep one hand on the halter and lead rope. Press two fingers into its shoulder until it moves away from your pressure. Stop immediately after the horse makes any movement away from the pressure. Do that on both sides on its shoulders, neck, sides and hindquarters. That teaches the horse to move away from pressure and is preparing it for riding signals. Repeat this process every time you work with the horse, even after riding him.

Saddling the horse will require some help. Get someone to hold the horse while you place a saddle pad on its back. Next, place the saddle on his back. Use smooth, firm movements; don't move too slow or be too gentle. Swing the saddle over its back and let it land with the stirrups bouncing off its sides. It shouldn't be scared since you have had other objects rubbing and tapping on its body for a few days. Tighten the saddle and allow the horse to stand for a few minutes.

Work the horse in the round pen, repeating all of the exercises you have been doing so far. The only difference is now the horse has a saddle on its back. Work the horse like this for a few days.

It's time to try riding the horse. Saddle the horse like normal and then place a side-pull bridle and reins on him. Climb up into the saddle using smooth and quick movements. Pat its neck and talk to it while you sit on its back. Begin riding the horse around the pen the same direction it has moved around it for the previous week. Use your legs to apply pressure to the horse, just as you did with your hands previously. Press your left leg into its side to signal it to move to the right. That teaches the horse to turn. Sit down deep in the saddle and pull back on the reins gently until it stops. Keep doing these things every day for the remaining week, and the horse will be trained very well.
Keep the horse in familiar surroundings for the first few days of riding.