How to Train a Mustang Stallion

When they are rounded up and captured by the Bureau of Land Management, mustangs have never interacted at close quarters with humans. These wild horses are gelded before being offered for sale, so anyone owning a mustang stallion is most likely to have bred him in captivity. The time taken to train a mustang stallion depends on many things, including his temperament, age and level of aggression. Stallions are strong and excitable and can be challenging to train, but with patience and understanding a mustang stallion can make a fine riding horse.

Instructions

    • 1

      Be patient. The first job is to get the mustang stallion to trust and respect you. In a wild herd the stallion's job is to protect the mares. The leader of a horse herd is the lead mare, not the stallion. If the stallion thinks of you as the lead mare, he will not try to assert his authority over you. Spend time with him touching him and stroking him through the bars while he is confined in a stall and do not show fear. Do not place yourself in a position where he could bite or kick you and do not turn your back on him. Always face him and look him in the eye. Use a strong voice command to keep him in line, and a gentle voice when he responds.

    • 2

      Halter break the stallion. Once he is safe to handle, slip a halter or head collar over his head and teach him to lead. Start in a small space and reward him with a pat when he walks forward. Once he walks forward easily, push your shoulder against his and make him move sideways. Use your body language and firm pressure to train him to move backward when you push on his chest. If his head is held high and he has a wild look in his eyes, you must calm him and try to get him to lower his head and yield to your commands. Horses have a short attention span, and this type of work should be carried out for only a half hour at a time.

    • 3

      Accustom your mustang stallion to having something on his back. Start with a sack or an old tarpaulin. Rub it all over him until he is not afraid of it and he relaxes his head and lowers it. Place it over his back where a saddle would go. Lean over him and place a little weight on his back. When he is ready, place an old saddle on his back and very gently tighten the girth, speaking gently and rubbing his neck until he relaxes again. Repeat the entire process again and again. Do not pull the girth or cinch very tight until he is completely at ease with the process. Never feed tidbits to reward the horse. A pat or scratch behind the ear is reward enough.

    • 4

      Place the bridle on his head and gently slip the bit into his mouth. Some trainers coat the bit with molasses to encourage saliva and to make the horse look forward to being bridled. Work on the ground, leading the horse and accustoming him to the feel of the bit.

    • 5

      Attach a longe rein to his head collar and train him to lunge. The longe rein is a long rein that enables you to stand in the center and make the horse move in circles around you. Carry a whip, not to beat him but to crack and drive him from behind. Longeing helps him to learn to obey your voice commands. It is convenient to have a round longeing ring in which to work your stallion, but a horse can be trained anywhere. Once he gets the hang of it, you will be able to make him walk, trot, canter and stop on command. Change direction often and longe in both directions.

    • 6

      Mount your stallion. When your mustang stallion is calm and easy to handle in all situations, he is ready to be ridden. After he has been lunged for enough time to settle him down, have a helper hold him and stroke him. Start by mounting from a mounting block, or let someone give you a "leg up." Talk to the horse quietly and have the helper lead him around. At first he may be a little surprised to see you up there, but time and repetition will help him to accept you as his rider. Your stallion should already respond to your voice commands, and once you can ride him without the aid of a helper, you can teach him to respond to your legs and hands.