Both a new horse and a fresh start are always exciting. Sometimes it’s a brand-new horse, and the challenge of learning to communicate and become best friends can be a bit intimidating. Other times, it’s a familiar horse with whom the relationship has been strained, and starting over can also be daunting, as breaking old habits can be tough. These three simple exercises can help establish a solid foundation for a lifelong partnership with your horse.
Create an atmosphere where your horse feels relaxed, focused, and confident in you as his leader. Think of yourself as his alpha mare. Always empathize, encourage, and support him as he learns to interact with you.
To keep him relaxed and eager to please, give him time to build trust and look to you for guidance. Riders often rush to explore their horse’s potential, but this sense of urgency can create tension and disrupt the establishment of mutual trust. Go slow and avoid rushing into lunging or riding. Use this time to build a strong relationship. Your goal should be to find activities that are relaxing and enjoyable for both of you and to build on those gradually. Avoid letting tension creep into your interactions.
Whenever possible, get to know your new horse before bringing him home. Working with him in his current environment can help establish a bond beforehand. This is a great opportunity to turn three ordinary routines into enjoyable activities for your horse:
- Coming to you when you call his name.
- Grooming.
- Leading.
You will need:
- A halter and lead rope
- A fanny pack or pocket filled with rewards (small bits of carrot, apple, or horse pellets)
- A bucket with a small amount of hay or pellets
- A bucket of water
Use the word “Good” to encourage your horse and “Nice” to reward him for his efforts. Avoid giving rewards without first asking for something and acknowledging it with “Nice,” as this can turn your horse into a beggar. Remember, horses want to please their herd leader. Unfortunately, humans sometimes scold or punish when horses are confused, distracted, or tired. Keep your sessions short and fun, as several 15-minute sessions throughout the week are more effective than a weekly one-hour session.
Coming When You Call His Name:
Your goal is to create a positive relationship so that he will eagerly come to you when called. Stand about four feet away, call his name, and when he looks at you or turns an ear in your direction, say “Good.” Walk up to him, stroke him, say “Nice,” and give him a reward. Back up a few steps and call his name again; say “Good” when he looks at you. Reward him with “Nice” and a treat when he steps toward you. Gradually increase the distance between you. Limit this exercise to four repetitions per session.
Grooming:
Instead of rushing through grooming, spend at least fifteen minutes grooming and massaging him. Show him each grooming tool and teach him to touch it. Tell him the name of the tool, say “Touch,” and bring the tool to his nose. When it just brushes his nose, say “Nice” and give him a reward. Gradually increase the distance until he reaches out to touch the tool. If he seems afraid of something later, you can ask him to touch it and reward him with “Nice.”
Leading:
Walk beside your horse rather than pulling him along. Say “Walk” (you may need to cluck) as he takes a step forward, matching his right or left hoof with your same foot. Walk for three strides. Teach him the half halt by saying “A-n-n-d” while gently squeezing the lead rope and stiffening your body. Say “Whoa” as you slowly stop. As he slows, say “Good.” When he comes to a complete halt, say “Nice” and give him a reward while standing at his shoulder (this keeps him from turning to face you). Increase the number of strides between transitions and always use the half halt. Soon, you’ll be able to walk, trot, and halt in unison, and this will carry over to your mounted work.
Once your horse has learned a new word or activity, replace “Nice” with “Good.” Save “Nice” for new words and activities, after a sequence of activities, and at the end of the session. While food rewards are effective, variety is important. Use caresses, scratches on hard-to-reach areas, hugs, rest, and moments of grazing as additional rewards. Gradually reduce the frequency of “Nice” as your horse learns the meaning of your words and as your relationship deepens.
When you finish your session with him, bring out his special bucket of hay or pellets and a bucket of water so he can enjoy a few minutes of munching before you put him away.
By the time your new horse arrives home, you and he will have established a bond that will ease the transition to his new environment. After he steps off the trailer, take him for a walk around his new home, matching feet along the way as you have done before. Have your rewards ready so you can occasionally say “Nice” and reward him.
Take him to his new grooming spot for a thorough grooming and body massage.
Continue to end each session with a little something to eat from his special bucket. It may take a few days for your new horse to adjust to the new smells, sights, and sounds of his surroundings.
By Chris Forté
For more in-depth ideas about how to build a bond with your horse:
WHO IS IN YOUR HORSE’S CIRCLE OF TRUST
Further reading: