First Coast Pet

Training cannot begin if you have not first tried to catch the horse. Although this may sound simple, it can be surprisingly frustrating when you attempt this for the first time. This is the most important step in horse training. The foundations of trust are laid in this step. No matter what you do with any horse at any stage of training, remember the basic 3 p's- patience, persistence, and positive reinforcement. Each step of horse training will involve the use of these three elements.

The best way to start with approaching your horse is to have the horse in an enclosure of an easily manageable size. If you don't have a round pen - which is ideal for this - any large fenced area or paddock can be used.

You should start by casually approaching the enclosure. You should try hard to relax and remain calm. Don't allow your stress to enter the pen with you. Since horses are prey animals, they are easily intimidated by anyone or anything that emits stress or aggression of any kind. You wouldn't want your horse to see you as a possible threat, which is how he will interpret those emotions. A bond of trust needs to be made between you and your horse.

Go inside the enclosure but not to catch the horse yet. That will come in good time. Your aim for now is to familiarize yourself with the horse and more importantly, for the horse to become familiar with you. Just walk into the enclosure and stand around for a bit. Don't look at the horse directly. A predator will eyeball and stare at it's prey until it is intimidated. You are not a predator and your horse should not see you as such. You need to be seen as part of the herd.

The next time you go in, take a rake with you and do some tidying up. Inspect the fence to see if there are places it needs mending. The horse should not be approched yet. The horse will approach you eventually and will want to see what you are doing. Horses are naturally curious. The horse will come to have a sniff and check you out once you are a regular visitor.

This first step can take a long time if the horse is unfamiliar with human contact. There are some horses who will not feel too shy and approach immediately. Either way is acceptable. Allow your horse to take his time when getting acquainted - this is how the all-important trust will be built. Patience!

Do not be tempted to reach for your horse just yet, even though it might seem like a good opportunity to do so. The key here is patience. This takes time and you are building a foundation that will last throughout training and well beyond. Do not rush this step.

As the horse approaches, you should then turn and walk away. Make sure that you walk away before your horse does. By doing this you will show him that he is not in charge of you.

Begin to approach your horse, sideways on, only when you feel that you are familiar and comfortable in each other's presence. Walking slowly, remember to also have a loose and relaxed posture. Step sideways to alleviate the nerves of a skittish equine. Move to the side without staring. Glance sideways and move toward your new friend. Don't think to surprise your horse with the halter, or sneak up on him with it. If you even can "catch" the horse like this, how do you then hang onto him if he is scared? This will break the initial bond of trust forcing you to start again. A serious injury could easily be inflicted. Patience and persistence both come into play.

When the horse allows you to come close, it's time for positive reinforcement. Work or training should be far from your mind whist making this initial contact with your horse. This bit is just about the bonding. You can employ positive reinforcement tools by simply stroking, brushing, scratching and talking to your horse. Your horse should be able to enjoy these first moments as much as you. You are both now ready for training.

A note about safety:
A horse should not be approached from behind unless you are very familiar with each other. A horse can register a swift kick before you can even think about getting out of the way. Horses are much faster than humans, particularly if they feel threatened or surprised. Do not approach where you can't be seen.

Whether it is your own horse, or you are training the horse on somebody else’s behalf, it is always advisable to ensure that there is adequate equine insurance in place to protect you both should an accident occur during training. A single kick from one of these beautiful yet immensly powerful creatures can potentially put a horse rider out of action for a long time. A good horse insurance policy will include third party liability, and it is definitely worth checking this before you begin with your training.

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