It’s that time of year again! Yep, if you are like me you get excited when the time changes and the longer days mean more time to ride! But before you hit the trails, here are five skills your horse should learn to ensure a safer, more enjoyable riding season.
How to Come When Called
This is a skill all horses should have period. On the trail, however, it is even more important your horse will come back to you when called. In the event that your horse gets untied while camping, spooks while being led, or you fall during the ride, this command can save his life. If you can’t catch him quickly he could end up disappearing into the woods. Worse yet, he might run into nearby roads. You could end up on foot far from home or your trailer. You might even have to go home without your horse after hours of searching.
So how do you teach your horse to come when called? It’s simple and can be done in as little as five minutes a day. First, find a treat your horse loves. I use alfalfa pellets because they are convenient to carry and nutritious too. The next time you go to catch your horse in the pasture, call him with whatever signal you want him to recognize. For me that is his name followed by the command come. For example, “Indy, come!”. You could also use a whistle or another sound if you want. At first it will not mean anything to him, but when he gets a treat every time he comes he will connect the dots. Do this each time you bring him in. Soon enough he will come quickly when you call.
I also strengthen this behavior by asking for it while in the ring. For instance, before I mount (or bridle him), I will walk to the other side of the ring and call him. When he comes I will praise him and give a treat. If he doesn’t respond at first, shorten the distance you walk away from him until he understands to come when called. After a ride, this can be a fun game to do while cooling out. Just a few repetitions a day will be enough to ensure he knows this essential skill if needed out on the trails.
To Load and Unload Calmly
You would think this would go without saying, right? Unfortunately, loading manners are an often overlooked area of a horse’s education. Your horse should get on your trailer willingly and unload quietly. There is nothing more frustrating than a horse that won’t get on the trailer when you want to go somewhere, or even worse, when you are ready to go home! If your loading routine includes ropes, brooms, chains on halters, or requires two or more people, he needs work on this skill!
Often times loading is considered as a means to an end. It is rarely taught as a separate skill although it should be. It is usually forced on the unsuspecting horse the day of the ride, show, vet appointment, or whenever else he has to go somewhere. Any method that ends with the horse on the trailer is considered successful. Little thought is given to the stress it causes the horse. The next time he sees his trailer is the next time he has to get on to go somewhere. He never has the chance to develop confidence in loading without the pressure of his owners who just want to get him to X event that day.
( Whiskey during an at liberty loading session)
Plan a day to work on loading your horse. A day without any demands on your time for a few hours at least. Properly hitch your trailer whenever practicing loading. Bring a snack (for you and some hay, grain, and treats for your horse), some water, and your patience.
Allow your horse to inspect the trailer without pressuring him to load. When he is calm and relaxed, walk into the trailer and expect him to follow you. If he doesn’t just stop and wait. Let him think for a minute. Be sure not to wrap the coils of your lead rope around your hands in case he pulls back. Allow the rope to slide loosely through your hands if he backs up. When he takes a step forward praise him and give him a treat. Ask for another step and wait for it. If he seems stuck for a long time without showing any effort, back him off the trailer and start over.
Most horses will load themselves within ten minutes if they are not being pressured or rushed. Once he has loaded just allow him to stand there and eat his hay or grain without tying him or closing the trailer. Horses are claustrophobic animals and many loading issues come for the doors being slammed as soon as their hind feet are on. If he backs off that gives you another chance to ask him to practice getting back on again. The key is not to lose your patience and to end on a positive, stress free note.
Horses will learn to back off a trailer quietly by themselves when the have confidence in the loading process. Do this a few times with your horse and he will be a pro at loading the next time you want to hit the trails.
( Indy during an at liberty loading session)
To Cross Water
Sooner or later you are going to come to a puddle, stream, or river that you cannot go around and must ride through on the trails. Some horses really dislike walking through water. They can be downright unpredictable when asked to cross water. A few minutes at home can help you avoid a nasty wreck on the trail.
Most properties have a few spots that puddle after a heavy rain. You can take advantage of these by asking your horse to lead through it. A good pair of rain boots will be helpful here. He may try to avoid it that first, but if you remain calm and lead the way he will eventually follow. Be aware that some horses might try to jump it. If you think he will try that, stand to the side of the puddle and lunge him through it if possible. If you can’t find a puddle, a tarp is a good substitute. Repeat this exercise under saddle until you can ask him to navigate through small and large puddles and across tarps quietly.
He may still be apprehensive when he encounters larger water crossings on the trail. However, the practice he had at home will give him the confidence to trust you when asked to cross it. Remember to always use caution and good judgement when crossing water on horseback. Stick to well known trails with established crossing points for safety. If you get into water deeper than your horse’s chest dismount and swim beside him (next to the saddle), using the reins to guide him. Never ask a horse to cross water while wearing a tie down-It can cause the horse to drown.
The One Rein Stop
This a basic skill every horse should learn and every rider should master. The one rein stop allows you to regain control of your horse when he bolts or acts up. There is nothing scarier than a runaway horse and it’s hard to enjoy a ride if your horse won’t settle down. The one rein stop causes the horse to disengage his hindquarters and lose his forward energy coming back under the control of his rider. It is a powerful tool that can stop some dangerous situations.
When you teach this you want to do it in an enclosed space and use a snaffle, sidepull, halter, or other non-shanked bit. Ask your horse to walk and run one hand down a rein and bring it around towards the horse’s hip, allowing the other rein to loosen so he can bend his neck. Hold the pressure steady until the horse stops turning and stands still. Release the pressure and praise the horse if he stands quietly. If he walks off again before you ask, simply use the one rein stop again until he learns to stand still after he stops.
It is important that the rider remains upright in the saddle and doesn’t lean towards the rein when applying the stop. Doing so will cause a loss of balance especially at higher speeds when you might need to use it most. Once he understands it at the walk, repeat at the trot, then at the canter. Make sure you work with both reins, as you never know which way you will have to turn your horse to stop him in an actual emergency on the trail.
It should become second nature for a rider to apply and your horse should instantly respond when asked to stop using this method. If you have to apply the one rein stop while riding in a shanked bit on the trails, remember the shanks increase the amount of force being applied to the horse’s face. Use only the amount of pressure needed to stop your horse.
Knowing that you can stop your horse quickly no matter what happens can go a long way towards enjoying the trails!
The Leapfrog Game
Horses are herd animals and sometimes their herd instincts make riding in groups more complicated. It can be annoying or even dangerous if your horse takes off every time the horse in front of him goes faster, If he won’t lead the group or crowds the horse in front of him. This simple game helps a horse listen to his rider and ignore what horses around him do.
This game requires two or three riders. Start with one horse leading the others in single-file order. Have the horse in the back trot around the other two and take the lead at the walk. The two riders who are being passed should correct their horses if they try to trot when they are passed. Do this until all horses have been in front, middle, and back, and can stay calm at a walk when passed. Then have the passing horse continue to trot once in front for a little distance then stop. Allow the other horses to catch up and repeat. Repeat with the passing horse trotting and cantering until the horses have lost interest in keeping up with it. This exercise can be done a few times a year to remind your horse of his manners in groups.
These are a few very important skills that are easy to train at home. A simple investment of a few hours at home can help to ensure many safe and fun hours on the trails!
