Horse Training Tips and Guidelines

Posted by HERD Institute on March 12th, 2020

Horses are magnificent and proud animals. These characteristics sometimes make them difficult to train. If you want to train a horse, you should know some basic horse training tips and guidelines. EFPL Certification Programme

Before you start with the actual training, it is important to do some warm ups with the horse. You should warm up the horse's physical and mental conditions. This is to ensure that they are physically and mentally fit to be trained.

One of the most important in horse training is to start on the things that the horse instinctively knows. This could be trotting, cantering, and so on. It is important to practice these familiar moves with your horse first before teaching it other new tricks. 

If you're afraid of a horse then you shouldn't face the animal. Horses, like many other animals, can sense fear and your horse will know if you're scared or nervous. You have to present yourself as confident and in control to win a horse's trust. EFPL Training Certification

If your horse is stabled or in a pen or corral then walk around it slowly. Check the feed, buckets or water troughs and let the horse get comfortable feeling your presence. He'll soon get used to you being around and won't be bothered by you being close. Wait until your horse moves towards you before you attempt to approach or touch him. A horse with a friendly disposition is easier to approach and will become comfortable more quickly than one that is skittish or bad tempered. 

When adding a new piece of horse accessory or equipment such as a saddle, it is important to do this repeatedly after a few minutes' interval. This will make the horse get used to the feeling of having something placed on or taken off its body. Once the horse feels comfortable, have somebody ride on the horse while the horse is standing. Add a new piece of accessory one at a time. EFL Training for Individuals

Do things slowly. Surprises are no good for horses. They will only feel confused and agitated if they can sense something unusual is happening. Always be gentle and patient. Take your time and do not force the them to master tricks or moves easily. 

Since you started the training session with warm up sessions, you should likewise end it with cool down exercises. This will make the horse more relaxed after an eventful training session. Do not wait for the horse to get tired before ending the session. End it before them feels tired. As a horseman, you should be sensitive with your horse's changes in moods and behaviors. You should be able to determine when your horse is still up for training or not.