| Training begins when you prepare your unbroken | | | | anatomy and to recognize that it takes time with |
| horse to be backed and ridden. Once he is broken | | | | skilful and patient training to enable your horse to |
| in, you can get him to respond to your | | | | develop muscle, but his physical ability is just the |
| instructions so that you can get real enjoyment | | | | start. Your horse must want to use his ability, for |
| from riding him. | | | | any horse that is overtaxed, he will become |
| You may find that you can take your horse | | | | disobedient. To persuade the horse to work for |
| further with some dedicated training if you are | | | | you and with you at all times, it is important to |
| interested in areas such as show jumping or | | | | understand his mentality as well as his anatomy. |
| dressage. Do bear in mind however, that the | | | | Whilst horses have limited intelligence and powers |
| average horse and rider do not go this far, so | | | | of concentration they generally want to please. |
| don't feel this has to be your next step. If you | | | | You need to encourage these qualities by making |
| enjoy riding, continue getting pleasure from your | | | | your training lessons simple and easy to |
| riding and don't worry about what else others are | | | | understand. Plan each lesson in advance with |
| doing. There's nothing nicer than feeling the breeze | | | | specific goals in mind. You need to judge how |
| on your face as you ride through the countryside. | | | | much training your horse can take without getting |
| Although while learning to ride, you will have | | | | bored or overworked. Keep your horses attention |
| gained some experience from handling your horse | | | | by varying your lessons and by keeping them |
| unless you are an experienced horseman, with a | | | | short and to the point, but most importantly |
| thorough knowledge of horses and how they | | | | make them fun. The other key to success is to |
| work, under no circumstances consider training a | | | | give praise as appropriate and to only use force |
| young horse on your own. Whatever your level | | | | as a last resort and then only to win a battle. |
| of experience you should always work with a | | | | Make sure your horse understands the difference |
| good assistant who should be of a quiet and | | | | between "yes" and "no" by giving both praise and |
| reliable temperament and needless to say | | | | punishment, but limit punishment as much as |
| physically fit. | | | | possible because it can do more harm than good. |
| The next step is to get your aims clear and how | | | | Remember your horse is not like a dog and |
| best to achieve them. Your principle aim is that | | | | cannot be bribed with tidbits to perform well. His |
| both you and your horse should enjoy the | | | | reasoning powers are not developed in this way. |
| experience of riding. Your horse should be willing | | | | The best way to reward him is through his |
| and able to listen to your instructions and obey | | | | sensitive response to feel and hearing -- offer him |
| them to the letter. This will mean designing | | | | a pat, a kind word or, best of all, release him |
| specific training programmers and schedules and | | | | from restraint.Ultimately training is always a |
| this is where understanding your horse comes into | | | | two-way process you need to learn about your |
| being. | | | | horse, so he can learn from you. |
| It is also important to understand your horses' | | | | |