| Many people are under the impression that you | | | | 7. Don't make eye contact or show any interest |
| can just train a horse and that is all you need to | | | | in your horse. |
| do to get your horse to do anything you want. | | | | 8. At first, just ignore them. |
| While training is extremely important and proper | | | | 9. The horse may ignore you too at first, |
| training will take you a long way with your horse, | | | | especially if you had a hard time catching them in |
| there is one element that almost always goes | | | | the first place. |
| unmentioned. If you want to develop a close | | | | 10. In a short period of time, your horse's |
| relationship with your horse, there is no | | | | curiosity will get the best of them (typically less |
| replacement for spending time alone with them. | | | | than 5 minutes) and you'll find them wandering |
| Now, I know that might sound strange but horses | | | | over to see what your doing there as this is not |
| need a close bond with their owners to develop a | | | | your normal behavior. |
| sound trustful relationship. Once you develop this | | | | 11. At first, don't even raise a hand and make |
| mutual trust, the bond will last forever. Horse | | | | sure your posture appears relaxed and |
| trainers/owners spend hundreds of hours working | | | | non-threatening. |
| on control but very few know that spending a | | | | 12. Your horse may walk away briefly but don't |
| small amount of leisure time with them can have | | | | worry, they'll be back (they can't really leave |
| a dramatic effect on their attitude. | | | | anyway). |
| Have you ever gone out to get your horse and | | | | 13. Let the horse check you out. |
| they avoid you like the plague? You have to | | | | 14. If the horse begins to show any signs of |
| consider how the horse feels when they see you | | | | aggression, stand on top of the bucket for a |
| coming towards them. If they feel like you are | | | | moment and look large but remain passive. |
| just going to put them through another torture | | | | 15. Once you feel your horse has accepted the |
| session, chances are they will not be looking | | | | situation and feels comfortable, you may slowly |
| forward to it. | | | | raise your hand and pet your horse briefly. |
| I would like to offer a simple technique that I | | | | 16. You may even find that your horse will turn |
| have learned and I believe this can be beneficial to | | | | around and back up to you. As long as this is not |
| you as well. | | | | aggressive in nature, the horse may acting out of |
| 1. Take your horse and put them in their stall or | | | | instinct and stand guard as they do to each other |
| small pen (Example: 8' x 10') and take something | | | | when one wants to lay down. This is their |
| small for you to sit on like a water bucket turned | | | | protective nature and they all have it in them. |
| upside down or a short stool. | | | | 17. After doing this for about 15 minutes, your |
| 2. The quieter the area is, the better. | | | | horse should be really calm and the bonding |
| 3. If you have have other horses, put them | | | | process will have begun. |
| somewhere else first so the horse you are | | | | 18. After the session is complete, show your |
| bonding with can't see them. | | | | horse some love by rubbing them and showing |
| 4. Do not take treats, hay, brushes, or any other | | | | your appreciation. You may even go fetch them a |
| sort of bribes to get the horse to pay any | | | | little treat, carrot, or apple. |
| attention to you. You want them to act | | | | 19. Repeat the practice about twice a week while |
| voluntarily. | | | | NEVER showing any signs of aggression or control |
| 5. Remove the rope and halter and toss it outside | | | | during this period. |
| the stall where they can't see it. | | | | 20. Your horse will soon realize that just because |
| 6. Take your bucket or stool and set it in the | | | | you're around them, you not necessarily asking |
| corner of the enclosure and have a seat and just | | | | them to do anything but asking for a little mutual |
| wait. | | | | trust. |