I wouldn't venture to suggest that there is the standard formula to preparing a horse for riding. Every pony is an individual in its own right, and you have got to work with each pony according to its nature. You also need to take under consideration regular changes in the current circumstances. Occasionally, circumstances can change each day for a young pony.
These are some steps that may help you ease your horse into its first ride. While these are steps that have worked consistently for me, I should remind you that every pony has his or her own quirks, and so you could need to do some tweaking here and there.
Step 1: Let your horse get familiar with a saddle pad. Be sure to do this in a circular pen after you have your pony on a halter and a lead rope. Introduce the pad casually to your horse. Let him poke and smell it. The idea is to get him acquainted with it. Rub him softly all over his body with the pad, especially on the neck, the back and the hindquarters. Be sure to cover either side of the pony with the same motions. Don't go to the very next step till you have got the distinct impression your horse is ok with the pad. Lay the pad on his back gently without any sudden motions and retreat. After a while take away the pad. Lay it on your pony again. Take it off, keep repeating. When you are reasonably sure your horse is comparatively used to the pad, walk him around a bit with the pad on. Take the pad off and rub him down a bit, before putting the pad back on. Be exceedingly patient, and repeat this as many times as necessary until you're feeling your horse has become pretty much unexcited by the pad. Remember, haste at any stage may destroy everything you have attained until then.
Step 2: You are ready to bring on the saddle now. Get your horse used to it just like you did with the pad: never hurrying, always persist. Use your right hand to hold the saddle, with the lead rope in the left hand. Once you are positive the saddle causes no further unease in your horse, it's saddling time. With a swift but delicate motion, get the saddle onto your horse's back. Take it off and retreat. Do this numerous times, with a rub down or two to keep your horse calm. When you believe that it is time, put on the saddle with the intention of cinching it. If your horse is in motion, yield the hindquarters to bring him to stillness. Be sure to knot the cinches tight so they don't drop and spook him.
Step 3: Get around to your horse's right. Let the cinches down easily. Get back to your horse's left, Now with total confidence walk back on the left-hand side of your pony and take hold of the cinch with your left hand without looking down. In easy motions, take hold of the latigo and tighten up the cinches. Don't make them too tight, but just enough so the saddle will not roll around to the bottom of the horse's body. That would quite possibly be tragic. If there is another back cinch, tighten that too, again, not excessively tight, but satisfactory to ensure the pony won't snag his rear leg. Typically a back cinch functions to prevent jumping of the saddle. Never forget: keep your cool, and more important, make sure the pony keeps his cool. Back off temporarily at the smallest sign your pony is getting upset.
Step 4: After you've saddled and cinched the horse, stand loosely next to him and let him get use to the saddle. Don't be in a rush to move him or yourself. When you consider that he's relaxed sufficiently, walk him a touch, then come to a halt. If he starts bucking let him, just get out of the way. When he has got the kinks worked out, go back to him and give him a rub to ease him.
You have just saddle-broken your horse.
These are some steps that may help you ease your horse into its first ride. While these are steps that have worked consistently for me, I should remind you that every pony has his or her own quirks, and so you could need to do some tweaking here and there.
Step 1: Let your horse get familiar with a saddle pad. Be sure to do this in a circular pen after you have your pony on a halter and a lead rope. Introduce the pad casually to your horse. Let him poke and smell it. The idea is to get him acquainted with it. Rub him softly all over his body with the pad, especially on the neck, the back and the hindquarters. Be sure to cover either side of the pony with the same motions. Don't go to the very next step till you have got the distinct impression your horse is ok with the pad. Lay the pad on his back gently without any sudden motions and retreat. After a while take away the pad. Lay it on your pony again. Take it off, keep repeating. When you are reasonably sure your horse is comparatively used to the pad, walk him around a bit with the pad on. Take the pad off and rub him down a bit, before putting the pad back on. Be exceedingly patient, and repeat this as many times as necessary until you're feeling your horse has become pretty much unexcited by the pad. Remember, haste at any stage may destroy everything you have attained until then.
Step 2: You are ready to bring on the saddle now. Get your horse used to it just like you did with the pad: never hurrying, always persist. Use your right hand to hold the saddle, with the lead rope in the left hand. Once you are positive the saddle causes no further unease in your horse, it's saddling time. With a swift but delicate motion, get the saddle onto your horse's back. Take it off and retreat. Do this numerous times, with a rub down or two to keep your horse calm. When you believe that it is time, put on the saddle with the intention of cinching it. If your horse is in motion, yield the hindquarters to bring him to stillness. Be sure to knot the cinches tight so they don't drop and spook him.
Step 3: Get around to your horse's right. Let the cinches down easily. Get back to your horse's left, Now with total confidence walk back on the left-hand side of your pony and take hold of the cinch with your left hand without looking down. In easy motions, take hold of the latigo and tighten up the cinches. Don't make them too tight, but just enough so the saddle will not roll around to the bottom of the horse's body. That would quite possibly be tragic. If there is another back cinch, tighten that too, again, not excessively tight, but satisfactory to ensure the pony won't snag his rear leg. Typically a back cinch functions to prevent jumping of the saddle. Never forget: keep your cool, and more important, make sure the pony keeps his cool. Back off temporarily at the smallest sign your pony is getting upset.
Step 4: After you've saddled and cinched the horse, stand loosely next to him and let him get use to the saddle. Don't be in a rush to move him or yourself. When you consider that he's relaxed sufficiently, walk him a touch, then come to a halt. If he starts bucking let him, just get out of the way. When he has got the kinks worked out, go back to him and give him a rub to ease him.
You have just saddle-broken your horse.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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