How to Train a Well Mannered Stallion

A stallion is physically powerful and typically high-spirited. A well-mannered stallion has usually been handled from a young age and trained to respect and obey humans, although like people, stallions sometimes just have a good temperament and natural good manners. Arabian stallions, although fiery and showy, are known to be generally well-mannered and easy to handle. There is no right or wrong way to train a stallion. As long as you use patience and kindness and have respect for his strength, you will be rewarded.

Instructions

    • 1

      Halter train your stallion. Ground work is the basis of all horse training. Place a halter or head-collar over your stallion's head and teach him to lead without resisting or pulling. Walk him around the property. Be authoritative. Once he is willing to go your way, teach him to yield when you push him sideways and backward. Stroke him all over and handle his legs, ears and all over his body.

    • 2

      Get him accustomed to a sack or tarpaulin. Show it to him, then rub it over his body. He may snort and jump away at first, but with repetition and patience, he will finally accept it and realize that it is not going to harm him. When you can flap it in his face and he does not object, lay it over his back and throw your arms over his back and get him accustomed to feeling your weight.

    • 3

      Train your stallion to lunge. Attach a lunging rope to the head collar and use a whip to drive him from behind and teach him to go round you. Do not strike him with the whip. Crack it to make a noise. He will soon understand, and you will be able to get him to walk, trot and canter on command and halt and turn around. Some horses only want to go round one way, and it is important to insist that the work is done evenly in both directions. Do not over-exert your stallion. Twenty minutes is enough to start with.

    • 4

      Place a saddle on his back. He may hump his back and throw it off at first, but if you repeat the operation often enough, he will become accustomed to its feel. Make the girth fairly loose at first until he accepts it being around him. Never forcibly tighten it when you have just saddled him, as some horses find that it pinches them.

    • 5

      Bridle your stallion. Use a thick snaffle bit coated with molasses or honey to make him chew and salivate. A wet mouth is considered to be a soft mouth, and it will make it easier for him to accept the bit. Lead him around with the reins and get him used to stopping when you pull back on them and turning when you exert pressure on either side.

    • 6

      Lunge your stallion with the saddle and bridle on. Get a helper to give you a "leg-up" so you are lying across his back. Allow him to become accustomed to seeing you on both sides above him before you slide your leg over him calmly. Sit on top of him for a while and stroke his neck. When you are certain he has accepted you, have the helper lead him around. Once he is accustomed to leading, ask the helper to lunge him with you on his back. Ride him without the assistant as soon as he responds to your commands.