Finding a good place to ride your horse helps you train your horse. The Cherokee National Forest Ride is a good place to train your horse and a good place to go horse back riding.
Horse owners love to engage in horse races. However, how can you possibly win a race if the horse doesn’t obey you? Through proper horse training techniques, you can make your horse obey your commands on the dot. Untrained horses can be dangerous and it’s vital that you train them. You can’t teach old dogs new tricks but in the case of a horse, you might be successful in training an older horse but you must have patience and determination. Training younger horses is much easier. Soon, you can win one of the horse races in your area.
Never face a horse if you’re afraid of it. The horse can easily tell if you’re nervous or frightened. If you want to win your horse’s confidence and trust, you should possess such qualities too. If the horse is in the stable or the pen/corral, you can walk around it and check the buckets or water troughs and feed. Make sure that your horse feels your presence. When he gets used to it, he will no longer be bothered if you’re there. Don’t attempt to go near the horse or even touch it; just wait until the horse approaches you. Friendly horses are easier to take as compared to skittish and snobbish horses.
When the horse approaches you, this is the signal to start the training. Firstly, you should train your horse in wearing a lead or halter. Show the halter to your horse and let him sniff or taste it. Do this everyday for about 15 minutes and when he’s already used to the halter, raise it over his head but don’t attach it. Don’t push your horse to the limit. Observe the body language because it tells a lot about the horse’s feelings. Keep on trying until your horse no longer shy away from the halter. Take your horse for a walk pulling the lead.
When a horse is frustrated or tired, it can be dangerous and it depends on the personality of your horse. Slow training is better than forcing your horse to obey you. Make use of careful movements, calm voice, and steady training for better results.
Once you attach the halter and lead on, tell your horse to come to you without pulling the lead; if the horse obeys, give him hay or any treat. As the horse walks towards you, give the lead a tug. Do this all over again until your horse acquaints the tug with moving.
Train your horse to human touch. You can start by touching his ears, chest, and muzzle. It’s natural for horses to shy away, bite, or kick. Soon you can groom your horse and try saddle training.
If you feel any fussing, just stand still beside your horse. When you’re about to introduce something new to him, just stand still and let him see the thing you’re holding (e.g. halter, lead, etc). Try moving away from him and you will notice that he’s waiting for you to return. Do the training calmly, slowly, and in a short yet steady manner. Well trained horses can win horse events with ease.
Horse training is the only way to use your horse at work, when traveling, or when doing other tasks. Not all horse trainers achieve success. Just follow these simple yet effective secrets and see for yourself.
Some horses tend to show bad habits. Once you notice them, determine the cause and correct the bad habits at once. Here are some of the bad habits of horses and how you can handle them properly.
Balking – the horse refuses to move forward and the horse shows bad temper. This habit is curable. Try to review the forward work through longeing and in-hand. Turn the head of your horse to un-track right or left. Don’t pull the rein or exert force because you will definitely lose.
Barn sour/herd bound – the horse rears, balks, screams, and swings around the herd or barn. Like balking, this is also curable. If your horse is stubborn, you may need professional help. Review your lessons concerning ‘whoa’ and ‘go’ just in case your horse is not too stubborn.
Biting – horses nibble or grab with their teeth/lips. This is common among young horses. When your horse nips, handle the muzzle, lips, and his nostrils frequently and tug on the nose chain. You can also use the thumb tack on the sleeve. Hold the wire brush to the horse’s lips and use the muzzle.
Bolting – some horses bolt when you turn them loose. This is a dangerous situation because the horse often kicks as he bolts away. Before removing the halter, tie a rope around his neck and use ground treats.
Bucking – the horse leaps or kicks with the hind legs, lowers its head, and arch its back. Progressive training is required and make sure that you check the tack fit. You should also monitor exercise and feeding.
Can’t catch – the horse avoid humans carrying halter/lead. This is curable but you need to give your horse time. Start training in a small or confined area and as the training progresses, move to a larger area. Don’t punish your horse when it can’t keep up with the training.
Halter pulling – rears when being tied. This is another dangerous situation and in some cases, incurable. You must seek the help of a professional at once.
Kicking – kicks a person with the hind legs. This is also a dangerous situation where professional assistance is needed. Remedial methods to restrain the horse are usually employed. You can’t completely sure this problem.
Rearing – the horse stands on its hind legs and sometimes falls backwards. Check for any back or mouth problems. Review training on longeing and forward in-hand. If nothing happens, get professional help.
Striking – the horse uses its front legs by swiping. If your horse rears at the same time, you should be very careful because you might be struck on the head. Try head handling techniques (ears, mouth, and nostrils), head down lessons, sacking out, and body handling.
Shying – spooking at imagined and real sounds, sights, occurrences, and smells. This habit is generally curable. Control the movements of your horse with restraining aids and driving.
Stumbling – the horse loses balance and falls. This is another curable habit. You need to assess hoof balance, condition your horse properly, check the break-over, and ride your horse with additional weight.
Wringing of the tail – the horse rotates or switches its tail angrily; if your horse gets used to this habit, it may no longer be curable. Correct it by proper fitting of saddle, massage, rider lessons, and medical therapy. Make the training progressive and set achievable demands.
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