Horse Training Secrets - Slow And Steady Wins The Race - 2

By Author: Chris Tischer
Total Articles: 2
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The next step is lead training. This is best done with a long lead. As with the halter, take things slow and easy. Let the horse sniff the lead before you use it. Clip it to his halter and let it hang down, so he can feel the weight of it. Try to get him to walk toward you without pulling on the lead to start. Do this with a favorite treat or a handful of hay. Once he begins to step toward you, tighten the lead so that he acquaints the tug of the lead with moving. Stop after 15 to 20 minutes. Once he is comfortable walking with the lead, come back beside him. Take a step and tug the lead. Take another step and tug again. He will quickly learn that he walks when you walk. If he doesn't like to stop when you stop, try placing your hand in front of his nose and tugging the lead backward. You can add a verbal command if you like, but it is not necessary.

Your horse will need to learn to tolerate being touched all over. Certain body areas are more sensitive than others and horses will naturally shy or become defensive when touched in those areas. Start by giving a positive, pleasing touch with on hand while the other hand ...
... moves to an area of discomfort. The horse will soon get used to the feel of a hand on his ear, muzzle or chest and will no longer bite, kick or shy away. He'll learn to trust you with his body, making vet care, hoof care, grooming, as well as saddle training and other types of training easier and more pleasant for all involved.

Poorly trained horses will often pull or whinny and fuss when tied. One way to train a horse to stand quietly while tied is to first just stand beside him and not move. He'll most likely be used to walking beside you. Standing still may confuse him at first, but he'll get used to it. Move on to tying the lead, but still standing beside him. Next, stand a little farther away, so that he can see you but not so far away that you can't reach out and reassure him or stop him if he becomes upset or tries to move. Once he remains calm after you move away, walk out of his sight for just a moment or two. Gradually build this to longer and longer periods of time. Your horse will soon quietly, waiting patiently for you to return. Standing quietly will also help you when it comes to grooming, cleaning hooves, or administering medical treatment.

Getting him walking beside you, allowing himself to be touched, and standing quietly are perhaps the three most important things you can teach your horse. Even if he is only ever going to serve as a pasture ornament, walking on a lead, tolerating touch, and standing still make vet care, grooming and other necessities of horse ownership so much easier and stress-free for both horse and master. Always remember to allow your horse to become accustomed to any new idea or item slowly, calmly, and for short amounts of time to start. You may never take the stakes, but a well-trained horse is a winner, hands down!

Chris Tischer is the owner of LiveryStable.net. If you're in the market to sell or buy a horse, LiveryStable.net is the place to start. They offer horses for sale http://www.liverystable.net/ as well as detailed information on riding, selecting a good horse and much more.