Start a Horse Under Saddle

Starting horses under saddle can be an easy and painless task. It can even be fun, if you know how to do it right.

Steps

Before You Start

  1. Make sure both you and your horse has had basic training.
    • Has confidence and trust in you.
    • Can be led and tied properly.
    • Has been bitted
    • Will "stand," "move over," "back up" on command.
    • Knows basic aids on the lunge and long rein.
    • Has accepted the feel of rugs, halters, and roller.
  2. Make sure the horse is mentally and physically mature. Various breeds and individuals mature at different rates, but the minimum age should be 3 years to enter light work. No horse is too old to be backed.
  3. Make sure all tack fits. Many people use a cheap "breaking" saddle, as the horse will change shape quickly. Some people use a treeless saddle that is easier to fit.

Starting to Back

  1. Choose a day when you have lots of time and people to help you.
  2. Introduce the saddle in the same way as you did the rugs, roller etc.
  3. Have someone hold the horse at all times; do not tie him.
  4. Gently place the saddle (without stirrups) on the back.
  5. Unless the horse is very distressed, do not remove the saddle until he is calm. Removing the saddle is a reward. You want to reward calm behavior.
  6. Do up the girth (one hole at a time) just tight enough to keep the saddle in place. (The horse should be used to this from the roller.)
  7. Walk the horse to allow him to get use to the feel of the movement. You could also lunge or long rein in the saddle.
  8. Ask the horse to stand beside a mounting block. Stand close to the horse leaning over him. (Most horses are more worried about something over them then the weight.) Make sure the horse is balanced.
  9. Push down on the saddle adding more and more weight until you’ve leaned across the horse with all your weight in the saddle.
  10. Mount the horse from the block, putting your weight gently in the saddle. Unmount after about 10-15 seconds. This shows the horse that you do intend to get off, and is in itself a reward.(in the wild a predator would hang on and not get off!) This step should be done a number of times before moving on.
  11. Mount the horse from the block. The horse should then be led to get use to the feel of a rider. He can also be lunged with a rider. The rider isn’t giving any aids.
  12. A horse learns by being given a new aid and then an old (understandable) aid. For example, if the horse understands "walk on", squeeze the horse with your legs and then say "walk on". In time when you give the leg aid the horse will know you’re going to ask him to walk on and will walk before you give the verbal command.

Tips

  • Reward your horse when he does something well. If you don't he won't know he did the right thing.
  • Don't get frightened. Let him know that he/she is safe with you, so they will began to trust you and feel safe when you are around.
  • Take lots of breaks, keep the session short and give your horse rest days.
  • Each step is only complete when the horse fully accepts, or understands, what you’re asking, and is calm and happy. If the horse becomes distressed, go back one or two steps.
  • Confidence is key. You must be confident in yourself and the horse.
  • It may take you several days to get on your horse. Remember it can be very stressful, and you don't want your horse to have bad memories of being ridden.
  • If things are going badly, go back a few steps to something the horse knows and then end the session. Always end on a good note.
  • Have good horsemanship. If the horse doesn't trust you, it will be too frightened.
  • Schooling is important: this is teaching the horse how to react to aids from the rider.
  • This process should not happen in one day. You only should work on this until you get good results, so about 10-15 minutes. As you continue to work with the horse you can go longer in the training.
  • Work in an enclosed area.
  • Before you try putting on a saddle, make sure it is the right size and fits perfectly. If the saddle isn't correctly fitted, this could cause permanent damage to the horse's back.

Warnings

  • Protective clothing should be worn by everyone (including the horse).
  • Never lose your temper - horses react to our emotions.
  • If you do get frustrated give the horse and yourself a break. Be calm and confident when you start again.
  • Do not ride or work with a horse without someone knowing. Horses are very large and can be dangerous when they are frightened - you could lay outside forever and no one would know.
  • Never get in a hurry - you have a lifetime to ride the horse(this may or may not be true in all cases, but it doesn't help when you get anxious)! ALSO: make sure you have enough time to finish before you start something new. Don't say "OK today we're going to put the girth on!" then you go out and get him/her all worked up and then say "oh, i have to leave" or "this is too frustrating" if you continue to procrastinate or not finish things, you'll never get anywhere.
  • Never hit a horse. They always remember and it can cause problems later.
  • The horse may buck. This is not bad, it is just him/her getting use to new things. Be prepared for the worst and the best.
  • This is only a rough outline. This should never be tried without expert help. Horses are individual and unpredictable animals, and no two animals will react the same to training.

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