How to Train a Horse for Riding

Training your own horse can be very rewarding.

Training a horse for riding is a long process and it is important for horse owners not to rush their animals. Ideally, the training leading up to that first ride should start when the foal is very young--it is easier to instill good habits in young horses than to break bad habits in older ones. But no matter what the age of the horse, you need to exercise plenty of patience and tailor your training methods to the individual animal.

Things You'll Need

• Rope halter
• Soft cotton lead rope
• Longe line
• Longe whip
• Bridle
• Saddle

Instructions

1. Start working with the young horse as early as possible. Even though it is best to wait until the horse is at least three years old before doing any serious riding, there are plenty of things you can do to get the horse ready for that first ride.

2. Work on ground manners and ground training while you are waiting for the horse to be mature enough to ride. Before you even think about getting in the saddle, the horse should walk calmly and quietly on a lead line, with no pushiness or aggression. If he starts to charge ahead or become pushy, stop him, back him up and start again.

3. Wait until the horse is at least a year to 18-months old before beginning any serious longing sessions. The ligaments, bones and joints in the young horse are still maturing, and long longing sessions could damage those joints. Attach the longe line to the halter and ask the horse to move around you in a circle. Ideally you will remain still while the horse moves around you. Use the longe whip to point in the direction of travel and provide encouragement.

4. Place the bridle on the horse and remove the reins. Use only a snaffle bit for starting young horses--the snaffle is a mild bit that is easily tolerated by most horses. Allow the horse to move around the arena on his own as he gets used to carrying the bit.

5. 

   Introduce your horse to the saddle early

   Place the saddle pad gently on the horse's back and then place the saddle on his back. Tighten the girth on the saddle only enough to prevent the saddle from slipping around. Allow the horse to wear the saddle and bridle while turned out in the round pen, indoor arena or other enclosed space. Horses can start getting used to the bridle and saddle at least a year before they are actually ready to ride. You do not want your horse's first introduction to the saddle to be the day you try to ride.

6. Put the saddle and bridle on the horse. Again, allow the horse to wear the saddle and bridle while turned out in the round pen, indoor arena or other enclosed space. Let him move around at will, then attach the longe line and longe him briefly.

7. Put the reins back on the bridle and tighten the girth of the saddle slightly. Step lightly in the stirrup, then step back down. Continue doing this as you watch your horse's reaction. Watch out for signs like pinned ears and sour expressions--these are signals that the horse needs some additional ground work.

8. Swing up into the saddle in one fluid motion. Sit as lightly in the saddle as possible, keeping your weight in your heels in case the horse bucks or tries to bolt. Allow the horse to stand and get used to the weight on his back, then ask him to move a few steps. These early training sessions should be kept short--10-15 minutes is fine. Frequent short sessions work much better with young horses than longer sessions.

References

• Equisearch Website: Tips for Training Young Horses