Horse Training Tips

The following free horse training tips will help you teach your horse some basic things that will keep him and you from getting hurt. Some horses will learn more quickly than others. Many elements come into play when we look at this fact more closely. Research has indicated breed, temperament, and even age can all have an influence on how quickly horses learn.

Classical conditioning is probably the most familiar method used for training horses. We teach the horse to respond to a new stimulus or cue by combining it consistently with a stimulus for which there is a response. This horse training tip can be an easy way to teach all horses.

A practical example of classical conditioning is teaching the horse to stop his feet when you say "whoa". Your horse probably already knows to stop his feet when he feels the pressure of the rains. If you say "whoa" before you apply the rein aid he will in due course learn to stop when he hears the word.

Say you want to train your horse to come to you when you whistle. You may begin by shaking some feed into his bucket (or feed can) and give him a chance to smell the feed. Before pouring the food into his feeder begin a distinct whistle. Repeat the same whistle each time he is fed. Over time he will come to you when he hears your distinct whistle. This free horse training tip is a simple example of classical conditioning.

Operant conditioning is another method used for training horses. With this type of learning for horses a behavior is strengthened, or in other words the behavior will take place regularly. The horse will learn to act on his environment to gain a reward he wants.

I recently experienced an example of operant conditioning, although it required no training on my part. One of my horses figured out she could open a gate and let herself out of her pasture. The first time she did this she probably was playing with the latch with her mouth and inadvertently pushed the latch out of place. She wondered out of her pasture into another larger pasture. Her reward was new grass or possibly a new place to explore.

After placing her back into her original pasture she once again experimented with the latch. She did not remember exactly how she managed to get the gate open but she did remember the latch had something to do with it. She kept experimenting until she was able to unlatch the gate. Each time she was placed back into this pasture she would return to the same gate and play with the latch until it opened and each time she became faster at doing this. Through operant conditioning she learned how to unlatch this particular gate and let herself out. This is a training tip that she taught herself, but with a little experimenting, you can find ways to use this method to train you horse yourself for free.

Operant conditioning is simply the animal performing the behavior not the trainer. With this method of training the horse learns to deliberately offer a behavior that has previously been reinforced. When positive reinforcement is used, operant conditioning can become a very effective training tool. This method can work exceptionally well for everything from trick training to training the horse to go into a trailer. And the best thing about this training tip, it is free. You just have to spend a little time and effort and with a little patience, you can reap some tremendous rewards.

How Organising Horse Training

As you're acquiring your equestrian horse back riding training knowledge and getting enthusiastic about practising your horse training - you need to organise your tools and training areas so they're on hand and available when you need them. Just as cricket players wouldn't train or play amongst briars or on scrubby pitches and practise in specifically designed nets to improve their focus, you also need to have access to a variety of practise areas, so as your comfort and confidence increases with your horse back riding and horse handling skills training - you can then graduate to larger areas - WHY?- because until you've calmly and gently proven to your horse that you are in fact the leader, if they know they have the advantage and you let them show disrespect to you by the horse not stopping, or slowing when asked or they take off with you on their back unasked, they have gained leadership and won't feel the need to demonstrate respect to you.

Areas you need access to are:

A yard;

A 22 ft round yard;

A 40 x 60 ft arena or fenced area of a size similar to that;

One acre;

Larger acres, a track or trail.

Remember - your horse doesn't have the same view of YOU that you do - when you walk into a paddock of 9 horses, there is a pecking order - number 1 is the boss and number 9 is lowest ranking - when YOU walk in the paddock they ALL SAY here comes number 10! That's right they think they can boss you! - That's why learning the art of gentle communication and leadership is so important. When your horse is comfortable, you are confident and comfortable with your training and know that you have leadership, riding on the trail is relaxing for YOUR HORSE and you can practise a training move every now and then, get it right and go on enjoying the trail.

Many horses that have trouble with the bridle and bit prefer and respond kindly to the "Natural Hackamore", as they soften in the body and all of their stiff unwanted muscle memories due to 'opposition reflex' to the bit disappear and they look forward to their work. NOTE: You need to learn about the "Hackamore" and demonstrate effective use and skill at directing, stopping and slowing your horse using the "Hackamore or halter" in the round yard and arena before attempting to use it on the trail.

Tools that you need for effective training are:

A natural halter with knots - like one by Nungar Knots;

A natural Hackamore with reins;

A loose ring jointed bit snaffle bit - a sweet iron bit is nicer for your horse;

A plain bridle with No Cavesson or dropped nose band - this is replaced by effective training;

Sports mans reins;

A 12 and 22 ft lead rope.

The 12 and 22 foot lines allow your horse to respond to you from a distance and show you respect, or if frightened to move away impulsively but still have a connection with you. These tools allow you to communicate to your horse in a way that builds the horses comfort and allows you to also build your comfort levels when you train your horse and advance your equestrian horse back riding skills.