How to Open a Gate While Mounted

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Trail riding is one of the most relaxing things for a horse person to do. Both the rider and the horse get to leave the arena, stop working and enjoy the outdoors together. Minimizing any stressful parts of these adventures is the key to having the best time possible. Dismounting for miscellaneous reasons can become physically tiring on you and your horse. Not having to dismount to open gates is one way to make trail riding easier.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Start by making sure that your horse is comfortable trail riding. A nervous horse is rarely willing to try something new.

Step2

Begin practicing on gates at home. Lock the gate to the arena, and start by opening and closing this gate in a familiar setting.

Step3

Walk your horse up to the locked gate and allow them to smell it. Walk them forward so that their chest is touching the gate and their head is hanging over the gate.

Step4

Allow your horse to take a minute to relax before asking for the next step.

Step5

Once your horse has settled start to ask for a slight turn on the forehand. To do this have a feel of their mouth, but not too overbearing or your horse will backup. Then slowly use the leg that is on the same side as the lock to push your horse’s side and hind end over toward the gate.

Step6

Let your horse take a moment to unwind once their body is parallel to the gate and your one leg is almost touching the gate. While you are waiting for your horse to relax pet them and take a deep breath yourself.

Step7

Holding your outside leg and rein very firm, using these tools as a wall to keep your horse from evading the fence. Then ask your horse to walk forward enough that you are next to the lock on the fence.

Step8

Lean over and unlock fence. Slightly push open the gate, trying not to be too forceful. Any quick motion with the gate could scare your horse.

Step9

Practice this multiple times and each time your horse should get better at it. Your horse and you will start to work out a formula that works best for the both of you.