Things You'll Need
- Lubricating oil
Instructions
Practice maneuvering your horse along fences or gates at home. Before you can open gates on horseback, you need to be able to manipulate the horse so that he is willing to stand next to a sturdy structure. If he fidgets, dances or sidles away, you'll have a much more difficult time.
Look for signs around the gate that suggest you shouldn't open it. Gates are sometimes markers for private property and you shouldn't go through unless you know that you have permission. The same is true if the gate is secured with a lock--don't just assume you can jump the fence.
Walk your horse toward the gate until he is almost touching the latch with his nose. Make sure that you know where the latch is located and how it might be undone before you attempt this portion of the process.
Use your right leg to move your horse's hindquarters clockwise toward the edge of the fence. Your goal is to make your horse parallel with the fence and as close to the gate as possible. Alternatively, you can walk farther down the fence line, turn your horse and approach the gate in a parallel line.
Walk the horse forward until you can reach the latch. If he tries to dance away from the gate, hold your right leg against his side and use it as a wall.
Hold the reins in your right hand and unlatch the gait with your left. A small can of lubricating oil can be used to loosen the hinges if they are stubborn, but use spray cans carefully so you don't spook the horse.
Swing the gate away from the horse if possible, but if it only swings toward you, walk the horse forward while dragging the gate behind you. Make sure the horse isn't close enough to nick his legs on the gait, regardless of whether it is metal or wood.
Walk through the gate, then repeat the steps to close it.