How to Saddle Train a Horse

If you want to ride your horse then you need to train it. Ideally you would begin training your horse as a foal. However, people do not always train or imprint young horses. Therefore, you will begin at whatever age your horse is. However,if working with a foal go at a much slower pace. Do not attempt to ride your horse until it is near two years old. However, you can set a small child on young horses to get them used to the idea. How do you saddle train a horse?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Saddle blanket
• Saddle
• Horse
• Halter
• Lead rope
• Bridle
• Grooming supplies

1. lunge your horse Lunge your horse before attempting to saddle train every time.
2. Groom your horse and develop trust Spend time getting to know your horse. Brush your horse, clean its hooves, and develop trust.
3. Show your horse the saddle blanket and then rub it on the horse's side very slowly.
4. Lay the saddle blanket on the horse. Lay the saddle blanket on the horse's back. If your horse is skittish repeat this step several times. If your horse does not calm down stop and try again tomorrow. Repeat daily until your horse is not afraid of the blanket. You should be able to walk up to your horse and lay the blanket on its back without the horse shying away. The horse should stand and allow the blanket to stay. Do not go any further until you have accomplished this step.
5. Place the saddle on the saddle blanket Show your horse the saddle and very slowly lift it towards the horse's back. If your horse steps away or is overly frightened place the saddle on the ground. Allow the horse to graze around the saddle until it is no longer afraid of it. Try to place the saddle on the back again. Do not attempt to cinch the saddle.
6. Repeat step 5 until your horse is comfortable with letting you place the saddle on its back. This may take several days. If the horse is under a year I wouldn't go any further than this.
7. Cinch the saddle but not as tight as you would to ride the horse. Lead the horse around. For the next few days lunge the horse with the saddle on. Tighten it more for lunging so it doesn't slip and scare the horse.
8. If your horse is very calm and social set a young child in the saddle who doesn't weigh much. If your horse isn't calm or social use a bag of sand. Lead the horse around with the added weight. Do this for several days.
9. Pull on the stirrups snapping them down several times. Pat the seat of the saddle loudly. Have a person the horse trust hold the horse while you mount.
10. Have the trusted person lead you around on the horse. Continue leading people around on the horse until it seems very comfortable with the idea. While lunging call out "Walk," "Trot," "Canter," and "Whoa," to get the horse used to verbal commands.
11. Begin riding your horse in a confined area alone. It will take patience and time for the two of you to understand each other. Begin using the reins individually to get your horse to turn. As your horse understands knee and leg pressure you can work on neck reining. Gradually work on adding trotting and then cantering. Good luck.

Tips & Warnings

• Always lunge a young or high strung horse before riding or training.
• Wear a riding helmet.
• Do not attempt to put an adult on a horse under two years you could do damage.
• Do not attempt to break a horse if you are pregnant or have chronic back pain.