in place. Spend about ten minutes like this, giving him large amounts of praise and reassurance.
This is a huge step for him and he is placing a lot
of trust in you.
After the ten minutes is up, if he is calm, remove
his tack and be done for the day.
Day 3-6:
Before you head to the round pen to work your
horse, slowly and calmly put the saddle on him
like you did yesterday. Tighten the girth enough
so that the saddle is not going to slip while he is
working.
Then, repeat Day 6 of Week Two.
Week Four:
You Need:
As for Week Three, plus:
1 extra person that knows how to handle
your horse.
Riding clothes (no spurs) and a certified
equestrian helmet.
Bucking strap for your saddle if you feel
the need for extra security.
Day 1:
Repeat Day 6 of Week Three. After you are done
for the day, stand next to your horse and take
the stirrups down. Walk him around so he can
feel the sway. Then, pull down slightly on each
stirrup. Have your ground person hold on to your
horse’s lead rope while you stand on the mounting block. Place your hands on the saddle seat
and lean some of your weight on to the saddle. Praise and reassure your horse. Have your
ground person do the same. Once your horse
stands calmly while you do this, put one foot in
the stirrup like you are going to mount and put
your weight in the stirrup for a few seconds.
Repeat until your horse is calm. Then, with
both feet on the mounting block, lean over your
horse’s back. Pet him and praise him while you do
this and have your ground person do the same.
He needs to feel very safe. If he shifts or side
steps, do not scold or reprimand. Just reassure
him and bring him back and do it again. Once he
is calm, you are done for the day.
Be prepared because tomorrow is THE BIG DAY!
Day 2:
Repeat Day 1. After your horse is once again
calm, go ahead and swing your leg over sit in
the saddle. Then, dismount and repeat. Repeat
this until the horse stands calmly. Then, you are
done for the day.
Day 3:
Repeat Day 2. Once the horse is calm today with
you on his back, have your ground person lead
him a few steps and then stop. Both you and
your ground person should give praise and reassurance. Have your ground person give him a
treat. DO NOT give him a treat from his back. If
the horse is calm, have the ground person lead
him in a walking circle. Sit quietly. Do not give
any sort of seat or leg aids. The ground person
should now bring the horse back to the mounting
block, calmly and carefully dismount, and you are
done for the day.
Day 4-6: Repeat Day 3, increasing the walk
circles until you are walking 3 times around the
round pen each direction.
At the end of Week Four, your horse should now
be free lunging almost entirely by voice command
at all three gaits. He should be calm and accepting of the bit, the saddle, and someone sitting on
his back while being lead at a walk. If he is not,
please go back to the point of issue and repeat
those steps until the horse is calm and accepting.
Starting with Week Five, you will start riding
your horse. We will also be introducing side reins
during lunging. At this point, you should start
lunging your horse in the round pen and with a
lunge line to give you a little more control. You
should not attach the lunge line in any way to the
bit. Either use the halter or a caveson designed
for that purpose.
Your side reins should be just tight enough to be
safe. Their weight is all you need right now. The
side reins should NEVER be used to pull the horse
into any sort of frame or behind the verticle at
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