Horse breaking is something of a misnomer since in reality you are training your horse to accept you as a rider. It's the last step in the relationship that you as a trainer have been undertaking since the horse was a foal.
Early Training Essentials
From day one, it is important to imprint yourself on your horse through patient consistent training. Foals can't concentrate very long, but you can work with them for short sessions. One of the first things to teach them is how to back up and go forward. Use a rope so the young horse gets the feel of what it is like to move on command. As the horse gets older, you need to watch for signs of calmness. This is when the head is down rather than up. This is the time you should work with your horse. Bit by bit you will come to know and respect each other. Be sure to reward your horse with a pat. It means a lot and shows the horse that he is doing what is expected of him.
The Best Age to Ride a Horse
When to ride your horse depends completely on the breed. Some horses, like the quarter horse, can be ridden when they are two years old. But others, like the Arabian may need to be as old as four years before their legs are developed enough to hold a rider. Whatever the breed it is the better part of wisdom to wait until the horse's growth plates in his legs are completely grown. Consult with a vet on whether your horse is ready for a rider. But even if a horse is too young to ride, it is a good time to introduce riding gear to the horse to make him comfortable with it. The bridle and bit and saddle and reins are all parts of the equipment that he needs to accept.
Preparing to Ride
Longeing a horse is a good way to prepare him for a rider. This type of training has the horse on a long rope with the trainer in the center of a training ring. The object is to get the horse to go in a circle, at varying speeds, responding to the trainer's commands, such as walk, trot, canter, whoa. Another useful training technique is to have your horse walk backwards. Both will show whether or not the horse is ready to be "broken" or mounted and ridden.
Riding
When the horse is sufficiently used to the riding equipment, is responsive to your commands, shows a willingness to be cooperative, and is ready physically for a rider, it is time to mount him. It's a good idea to have someone knowledgeable about horses help you by holding the horse as you mount. Once you are in the saddle, sit back into your saddle and give your horse commands softly. Try various commands, but from time to time, tell your horse to stand still. This is an important skill that your horse needs to follow, so you can dismount when you want.
Early Training Essentials
From day one, it is important to imprint yourself on your horse through patient consistent training. Foals can't concentrate very long, but you can work with them for short sessions. One of the first things to teach them is how to back up and go forward. Use a rope so the young horse gets the feel of what it is like to move on command. As the horse gets older, you need to watch for signs of calmness. This is when the head is down rather than up. This is the time you should work with your horse. Bit by bit you will come to know and respect each other. Be sure to reward your horse with a pat. It means a lot and shows the horse that he is doing what is expected of him.
The Best Age to Ride a Horse
When to ride your horse depends completely on the breed. Some horses, like the quarter horse, can be ridden when they are two years old. But others, like the Arabian may need to be as old as four years before their legs are developed enough to hold a rider. Whatever the breed it is the better part of wisdom to wait until the horse's growth plates in his legs are completely grown. Consult with a vet on whether your horse is ready for a rider. But even if a horse is too young to ride, it is a good time to introduce riding gear to the horse to make him comfortable with it. The bridle and bit and saddle and reins are all parts of the equipment that he needs to accept.
Preparing to Ride
Longeing a horse is a good way to prepare him for a rider. This type of training has the horse on a long rope with the trainer in the center of a training ring. The object is to get the horse to go in a circle, at varying speeds, responding to the trainer's commands, such as walk, trot, canter, whoa. Another useful training technique is to have your horse walk backwards. Both will show whether or not the horse is ready to be "broken" or mounted and ridden.
Riding
When the horse is sufficiently used to the riding equipment, is responsive to your commands, shows a willingness to be cooperative, and is ready physically for a rider, it is time to mount him. It's a good idea to have someone knowledgeable about horses help you by holding the horse as you mount. Once you are in the saddle, sit back into your saddle and give your horse commands softly. Try various commands, but from time to time, tell your horse to stand still. This is an important skill that your horse needs to follow, so you can dismount when you want.