How to Break a Stallion to Ride

A stallion is a male, entire (ungelded) horse over the age of four. They can make excellent riding horses due to their strength and energy and are particularly successful at athletic sports such as racing and show jumping. Stallions can be more difficult to break than mares or geldings, as they tend to be physically strong and have high levels of testosterone which can make them difficult to handle. Stallions that have been used for stud purposes often do not take kindly to being ridden unless they have exceptional temperaments; these horses should only be handled by experts. Before you start to break a stallion for riding, it should be well-handled, accustomed to wearing tack and working calmly on the longe.

Things You'll Need

  • Two assistants
  • Third assistant (optional)
  • Rider
  • Saddle and bridle
  • Longe line
  • Three helmets
  • Safe, enclosed work area
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tack the horse up and lead it into the arena. Attach the longe line to the bridle, secure the stirrups and work it round on the longe (in circles on a long line) for several minutes. This will warm up the back muscles and encourage the horse to be more receptive to a rider's weight. Bring the stallion back to a halt and lower the stirrups. If the horse stands quietly as it feels the stirrups at its sides, ask it to walk a couple of steps then halt again.

    • 2

      Have one assistant hold the horse's head, standing on the offside (right). Position yourself at the horse's nearside as though mounting normally, but do not yet try to mount using the stirrup. Have the second assistant give you a leg-up so that you lean on your stomach over the saddle. If the horse is calm, ask it to walk a step or two. If the horse becomes agitated, slide down as calmly as possible and walk the horse on without a rider until it settles before trying again. If the horse is particularly nervous or agitated, position a third assistant on the other side of the horse's head for more control. Work on the horse until it walks and halts calmly with the rider's weight on board, then stop the session.

    • 3

      Start a fresh session by working the horse on the longe again. Have it halt and ask your assistant to hold its head. Have your other assistant leg you up into a normal riding position in the saddle, being very careful not to touch the horse's back as you swing your leg over. Do not put your feet in the stirrups at this stage in case you have to jump off quickly. If the horse stays calm, have your assistant walk it a step or two. Build this up until the horse is happy to be led around the arena with the rider on board.

    • 4

      Have an assistant work the horse on the longe and walk with you in the saddle. The other assistant should walk by the horse's head. The circle should be kept fairly small so that the person longeing has control. Start to teach the horse basic leg commands by squeezing gently and giving a voice command, "Whoa!" At the same time, the person leading the horse should stop. If the horse remains calm, introduce the reins as well. As the horse's education progresses, omit the person leading.

    • 5

      Remove the longe line and ride the horse round the arena under your sole control. Have both assistants present in case of accidents. As the horse increases in experience and confidence, start to teach turns and introduce trot work, going back a step if the horse becomes agitated. Build up the ridden work gradually to allow the correct muscles to develop and never try to introduce new exercises too fast.