Horse Handling and Training Tips from Animal Friends Equine

Horses are magnificent animals and can also be strong willed and stubborn, as any horse lover will testify to!

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility; it's not as simple as taking out a good insurance policy - you have to take a lot of time and patience to train a horse properly. Horses have to be controlled; however, training should be gentle and firm but nothing that would break a horse's spirit.

Every time you are riding a horse you are interacting with them and they are always learning something from you. The important thing is to make sure all interactions are positive and not negative. The moment you get on a horse you have to be in control and make sure that they know who is boss. A horse is not like riding a bike, horses have a mind of their own and even the best trained horse could get spooked or bolt.

When you are first learning to ride a horse, it is essential that you get at least some basic lessons from a professional. A trainer will help you to understand a horse's way of thinking and the proper way to handle them. You have to have basic understanding of how and why a horse will behave in a certain way so you will know how to control them. Without this knowledge you could be putting both yourself and the horse in danger.

Using force on a horse is never a good idea and could have serious consequences. Horses need positive reinforcement and firm control. When you are first learning how to ride it is best to be in a contained and controlled environment. It is also important to find a coach or a trainer that you and your horse are comfortable with.

Horses can provide you with years of enjoyment and companionship. Learning how to look after horses and training your horse correctly are vital steps in your riding experience. Just remember that you should be in control all the time; however it is not necessary to use force to get your horse to obey your commands. Patience, persistence and positive reinforcement are all attributes you will need in order to successfully train your horse.

Do you have any advice for our readers when learning to ride their first horse? Animal Friends Equine Insurance would love to hear what you have to say. Please post your comments below if you would like to share your opinions or experiences with other members of the Horse Community. Thank you and enjoy the blogs!