Beginner’s Horse Training Guide: Teach How To Respect
From the audience's perspective, horse riding may seem very fascinating and thrilling- which it undoubtedly is. And, from a rider's point of view, it is physically and mentally challenging. As a rider, you need to develop quick reflexes, handle your own posture and movements of the horse, all at the same time. But, once you get a hold of it, you will surely enjoy riding.
Nevertheless, learning to ride is a time-consuming process. It generally begins with getting familiar or friendly with the animal and teaching them how to respect you. It helps in establishing a safe partnership between rider and horse. That’s why in this article, we’ll share some tips to help you out. So, let’s begin!
Learn What Respect Means
Before you begin training, learn what it means to be respectful in animal language. For instance, if your horse is biting, rearing, or kicking, it means lack of administration or regard. On the other hand, signs like bumping with the shoulder, tossing the head, or nudging with the nose mean approval.
Other signs that show approval or appreciation are:
- Following your movements, such as walking forward or back up.
- Moving head away when you step into the face area.
- Moving hindquarters away when you walk to his rear.
It is noteworthy that your horse might rear if he is nervous or stressed. So, before you presume his behavior as disrespectful, you must try to understand the cause. Learn correcting horse rears with a few fundamental groundwork exercises. Also, remember that you have to resist the urge to hold tight on the reins when correcting rears. Otherwise, you might fall and injure yourself.
Beware Of Dominance
It is natural for animals to establish a hierarchy to select the “head” to lead the others. That means, if you let the “head” horse push against you or swing its head into your space, it might turn out to be a hassle for you. Such behavior will communicate that he is a leader and you are a follower. It will further make it challenging for you to train other animals, as they will presume you as a follower.
So, you must pay attention to who the group leader is and learn how to protect your space. Luckily, training him to move on your cue (the basics of riding) can help you establish your dominance.
Avoid Physical Reprimand
Depending on the breed you are training, you may or may not need a physical reprimand. It is usually recommended if you need to protect the animal, yourself, and others around you. If you are reprimanding, make sure to continue until he steps out of your space. Focus on building trust and partnership; it will ensure that he listens to your commands. Otherwise, it can be quite challenging to keep them under control.
Obviously, it is not going to be easy. But, you must train regularly to create a bond and earn
respect.
Wrapping It All Up!
Teaching respect will ensure that your horse listens to your command and follows them. It also helps in creating mutual trust, which is crucial for riding. So, make sure to follow the tips mentioned above and begin your training right away.
