Where To Start With Horse Training - Approach Your Horse

When wanting to train a horse you first need to catch it. While this may sound simple, it is not necessarily so, particularly at the first attempt. This is actually the most important step of all in training. In this step you will lay the foundation of trust. It is important to remember the three Ps of horse training - patience, persistence and positive reinforcement - at every stage during the process of training your horse. Each step of horse training will involve the use of these three elements.

If you start by having your horse within an enclosure of an easily manageable size this will be the most efficient way to begin the approach. A round pen is the best type of enclosure to use, but you can use any large fenced area or paddock if you don't have one.

Begin by approaching the enclosure with a casual demeanour. It's important to relax and appear calm here. Leave any stress you may have outside. As horses are prey animals in nature, they will pick up on aggression or stress and become intimidated. You wouldn't want your horse to see you as a possible threat, which is how he will interpret those emotions. You need to work on building trust between you first.

Go inside the enclosure but not to catch the horse yet. This will happen in good time. The important thing here is to let your horse get to know you and vice versa. Walk inside and just stand around for a couple of minutes. Don't look at the horse directly. Predators eyeball their prey and stare into their eyes to intimidate them. You musn't let your horse see you as a predator. The horse needs to see you as part of the herd.

Next time you enter the enclosure, take a fork or shovel and do some tidying. Check the fence panels and see if they need mending. Keep busy with other things, but do not approach the horse. The horse will eventually approach so he can see what you're up to. They are naturally very curious animals. When the horse realises it's you again, he will come to check you out with a good sniff.

A horse unfamiliar with human contact will take more time with this step. There are some horses who will not feel too shy and approach immediately. Either way is acceptable. However long it takes for the horse to become accustomed to you, it is important for trust that you let him get there in his own time. Patience!

Don't see this as an opportunity to grab the horse. The importance of patience here cannot be stressed enough. To build this foundation for training and for a lasting relationship takes time. This step should not be rushed.

As the horse approaches, you should then turn and walk away. Ensure that you are the first to walk away. By walking away first, you will indicate that he is not in charge of you.

Once you feel that you and your horse are comfortable in each other's presence you can approach your horse from the side. Remember to use a slow, relaxed manner to walk towards the horse. Stepping sideways can be a good approach for a skittish equine. Move towards the side and avoid staring. Looking sideways, move towards the horse. Never sneak up on or surprise your horse with the halter. If you even can "catch" the horse like this, how do you then hang onto him if he is scared? Your mutual trust will be breached and you'll have to start all over again. A serious injury could easily be inflicted. Patience and persistence.

Use plenty of positive reinforcement when the horse allows you to come close. Allow these first moments to be a quality experience. You should only be thinking about bonding with your horse. Simple grooming, brushing, scratching behind the ears, conversation, stroking along the neck area are positive reinforcement tools. Your horse should be able to enjoy these first moments as much as you. The both of you should now be ready to start with training.

A note on safety around horses:
Never approach a horse from behind unless you are very familiar and the horse knows you. A swift kick can connect long before you can contemplate moving away. Horses are faster than we are, especially when starlted or if feeling threatened. Make sure you can be seen when you approach.

Whether it is your own horse, or you are training the horse on somebody else’s behalf, it is always advisable to ensure that there is adequate equine insurance in place to protect you both should an accident occur during training. A single kick from one of these beautiful yet immensly powerful creatures can potentially put a horse rider out of action for a long time. A good horse insurance policy will include third party liability, and it is definitely worth checking this before you begin with your training.