| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Once you and your horse are comfortable with what |
| Most horse owners are not looking to merely become | | | | he already knows, it is time to start adding something |
| friends with their horse. They also expect to be able to | | | | new. All training should be done in small steps. Horses |
| ride that horse, and to train it to be suitable for their | | | | learn best by repetition, so take the time to teach him, |
| needs. This all-important step is where you begin to | | | | one step at a time, repeating that movement until he is |
| push the limits of the bond you have created. | | | | confident before moving to the next. |
| Once you have established a good relationship with | | | | It is perfectly normal for a horse to resist training, even |
| your horse, you can get started on training him. If your | | | | when in a good relationship with his owner. At first, |
| horse is already reasonably well trained, this can be | | | | your horse will not understand what you are asking. In |
| fairly easy. On the other hand, even well trained horses | | | | fact, much of his apparent resistance may be his |
| can offer some surprises. | | | | attempts to figure out what you want. For example, if |
| Start out with something your horse knows. Keeping | | | | you merely pull on the rein to tell the horse to turn, at |
| the balanced relationship you established on the | | | | first he might pull back. This is not because he is |
| ground, work with your horse, practicing the skills he | | | | fighting you. Instead, it is because he is trying to figure |
| learned before he knew you. This will give you a | | | | out what you want – you pulled, so maybe you |
| chance to see what he is like when asked to work, | | | | want him to pull back. Eventually he will discover that |
| without the added stress of asking him to learn new | | | | pulling back does not relieve the situation, and he will try |
| things. | | | | something else. |
| If your horse is resistant, you will need to take some | | | | Be patient with your horse as you train, but maintain |
| time reestablishing your lead mare position, showing | | | | your dominant role in his life. Do not allow him to |
| him that you are the boss of the situation. As soon as | | | | disregard any boundaries you have established. Happy |
| he begins to accept that dominance, return to the | | | | horse-human relationships are built from these |
| friendly relationship you developed on the ground. | | | | boundaries. Without them, you just have a big, scary |
| Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Your horse | | | | animal, who can hurt you without effort. |
| must believe that you are the bigger, stronger, more | | | | Lastly, this simple three-step process of forming |
| dominant member of the relationship. This is far more | | | | friendly and professional relationship with your horse is |
| important than being his friend. Friendship comes after | | | | pretty easy to implement on practice if you treat your |
| a horse knows his place in the herd. It is impossible to | | | | horse as a partner, without being an overpowring |
| be friends with someone you are constantly trying to | | | | personality. |
| dominate. | | | | |