Young horse training is an art that works best when you cast aside the lesson plan and listen to your horse. Often a horse that’s labeled spooky or timid or uncooperative or afraid isn’t. They’ve been taught to react this way by the humans who have touched them. Yes, horses are naturally flight animals (although our eight-year-old Thoroughbred farmhand Cowboy would beg to differ on this point), but there’s nothing natural about riding and the way horses are introduced to this activity – or treated as seasoned mounts – will affect how they handle each new request.
Creating confidence with young horse training
I always try to help the young horses that come in here to be brave. Beating them past an object that concerns them isn’t going to make this so. It just adds more fear and pain to existing fright that’s likely to cause them to react more dramatically the next time something scary catches their eye. Yet, if you quietly encourage a horse to proceed while giving him time to process the sight, he’ll want to show you how courageous he can be the next time. Of course, if you’re timid or alarmed or tense or even shaking, the horse will pick up on this, so it’s important, if your goal is to help a horse get gutsy about new situations, that you are confident, relaxed, encouraging and clear.
One of the best approaches to building confidence in young horses (or taking a little bit of the cockiness out of a pugnacious one) is with hills. Obviously, you don’t want to tackle a cliff your first day out, but when young horse training is geared toward building confidence and a partnership, there’s nothing like a hill to improve balance, help the horse learn how to carry himself (and you) properly and encourage the horse to look to you for some guidance in maneuvering through difficult terrain. Plus it provides the added benefit of legging up a horse at slow speeds with low stress on young bodies.
It’s remarkable to witness the glee a tentative horse shows after successfully handling a difficult downhill slope. What’s incredible is that finishing this feat also tends to reduce spookiness and hesitation with all other issues encountered on the trail afterward. They know they did it and are grateful for your help – and confidence in them.
Trails are the best for starting horses under saddle
Trails in general are a great way to start young horses under saddle. We’re fortunate at Halcyon Acres® to have a laneway that’s lined with cherry trees on about a ½ mile gentle slope at the start of the trail head (up heading out and down coming home). It’s straight so you can see if there are deer or other wildlife ahead long before you reach them. Behind that hill is a steep slope down that requires the horse to depend on the rider to navigate the trail without getting into trouble (there’s a bit of a cliff to the left). This second hill is a major milestone for young horses. Of course, we could ride the perimeter of fields and stay on relative easy rides, but these challenges help the horse gain confidence in himself. It’s so much more fun to ride out on a horse that’s eager to see new things and tackle new challenges than one that’s wondering what’s going to eat him next.
If you’re wondering what to do to start off on the right hoof, here are some quick tips on young horse training to consider as you begin to ride out. You can also find ten tips on keeping horse training a happy event for you both. Try some of these ideas if you’re struggling with a spooky horse.
What are you doing to reach your horse on his terms?
I laugh when I hear the term ‘teach a horse respect.’ Really? I’ve always considered respect as something that’s earned. Sure, you can teach a horse to fear or obey you, but discipline isn’t going to build trust, which is generally a precursor to respect where horses are concerned. There are times when a correction is necessary, but with young horse training, it’s rarely when you’re on their backs. You won’t get a partnership with a horse where he’s looking out for you as much as you are for him if you rule by intimidation or force. The most reactive horse, however, can become a trusted and steady mount if you encourage his confidence and demonstrate you’ll keep him safe. Building that kind of rapport is what true leadership with horses.
