You can’t force your horse to accept you as his alpha. You have to earn it.
5. It’s critical to put your safety first. Being safe will help build your confidence. So if you think you should get off your horse, GET OFF! If you try to stay on (no promises that you WILL stay on!) you will most likely become scared stiff and have a bad experience, which will definitely make you lose confidence. If you lose the connection with your horse in the middle of a trail ride, don’t be too embarrassed to get off.
6. If you DO get off, get your horse left-brained on the ground (send your horse sideways and backwards; focus his energy on a task). Be provocative; don’t let your horse predict what you’re going to do. Teach your horse to handle unpredictable things, and stay on the ground until you reach your goal. Then it will be safe to get back on.
7. Finally, ride with people who will support you in practicing good horsemanship, and who are willing to assist you in being successful with your horse. With that group of people and a confident, prepared, left-brained horse, your trail rides will be far more successful – and fun – from here on out.
PRIOR AND PROPER PREPARATION
Pat
Parelli
ACTHA Monthly | March 2015 | 43