WESTERN HORSE RIDING

Explaining Spooky Horse Training Tips

In this article I will explain actually the major importance of using spooky horse training tips to make your horse riding safer and more enjoyable.

Bottom line is should be prepared and know how to deal with a spooky horse.

If you look at a horse and a rider, you soon will realize that there is a need for great communication between them.

Know What Your Horse Responds To

You must learn to use the languages that a horse responds to. A horse has very sensitive and mobile ears. Sounds are picked up quickly and easily.

You must always remember that the nature of a horse is either flight or fight. Your horse will act naturally, according to its natural instincts.

Flight can abruptly happen. Many things can trigger the flight response. Don’t let this happen to you as it could be very dangerous for you.

If you don’t want this to happen, then you need to be in-tune with your ride. You and your horse are a team.
Here are a few facts you should know about your horse. Knowing these will help you be able to read your horse better.

• A horse sees only in two dimensions. So the horse can be scared or spooked very easily with sudden movements or when faced with different things than the horse has ever experienced.
• The horse will have trouble identifying what’s going on or knowing physical things well, just by its sight. Be aware of its other sensors being put to use.
• Items that appear suddenly could be something blowing in the wind. Or maybe a motorized car that makes noise appearing suddenly in the horse’s view. A motocross bike would be another great example of something you come across suddenly that causes it to be scared.

Top 5 Spooky Horse Training Tips

So I have been talking about great teamwork. You and the horse are in sync. But how do you get there?

1. Learn the horse’s language. Concentrate on its use of ear placement, and realize just how flexible a horse’s ear is. Ear placement can be, frontward, backward, or one ear in each direction. All of these have special meanings to you as they are being signaled from your horse.
2. Use the horse’s night vision to your advantage. Be aware it can see things you can’t. Trust it and its sudden response of being unsettled.
3. Be able to spot a swishing tail. This means the horse is restless or angry about something that may be going on in sight, or physically happening to the horse.
4. The rider learns to control the horse’s calmness by using their voice control. The tone and calmness of the voice can make all the difference in the world. You should have a series of horse calmers for spooky horses in your repertoire. You will experience safer riding if you do have this knowledge and awareness.
   You might be wondering what makes the horse calm. It could it be the tone of the owner’s voice or maybe it’s the words being used? The answer is both. Please remember a calm lower toned, clear voice will ease the horse into a calm state. Usually repeating a calming word phrase will be helpful to the horse. It knows everything is all right. Nothing to run from, Just Calmness. That’s where you want to be.
5. Feeding the horse a snack that it really enjoys. Such as always having a supply of hay nearby can help you avoid further irritation with your horse. The use of hay, feeding it small hand fulls at a time with a calm conversation will work wonders. Again settling the horse into familiar situations is a calming effect for a spooky horse.

2 BONUS CONCEPTS

Two of the techniques used by some horse trainers are called the 300-Peck Pigeon Method and the head down method. Horses are known to be ones who lift up their head, the more in the air the more upset they are getting.

Getting used to the fact that the more the head is lifted up, probably the more upset the horse is. Then you can use the 300 Peck Pigeon Method and the head down method to full effect to keep your horse calm.

Clicker Training for Your Horse

I would like to share a podcast by Equoisity the goes into detail about using the 300 peck pigeon training method to calm down your spooky horse, a great spooky horse training tip you can use on your horse.

Equiosity Episode 49: “300-Peck Pigeon” Horses This podcast is done by Alexandra Kurland.

Might I suggest an excellent training book on the Clicker Training Method by Alexandra? It is featured on Amazon.com. ⏩⏩⏩⏩

You may take a look at it as a great resource to help you out with clicker training if you are curious about this form of calmness training for horses.

As a horse trainer, you should not panic. You should be calm in order to calm your horse.

You need to know how to deal with a spooky horse. When you look at your horse try to wear a smile of contentment, not a frown. The horse will feed off your demeanor.

Keep your posture non-threatening always try to avoid abrupt movements. This shows your horse that you’re not bothered by his movements of being unsettled.

You can tell your horse to lower its head or you can rub the neck and withers. No one can refuse a great relaxing rubdown, not even your horse.

If You Learn Better From Pictures

The Click That Teaches: A Step-By-Step Guide in Pictures

In researching Alexandra for this post, I discovered what I know would be a great companion for the above mentioned Clicker Training For Your Horse.

Ms. Kurland has also published the same training, but this time it is expressed in a book with over 600 photos.

In The Click That Teaches: A Step-By-Step Guide in Pictures by Alexandra Kurland, you will be guided by pictures to the exact moments to click for the most effective results in training your horse.

The book takes you from the basics up through the most comprehensive and complete training for your horse. The Clicker method has never been explained completely and thoroughly. I don’t think you can get lost in this exact training guide.

So if you learn better through pictures as I do, this is a great tool to have in your training library.

Where To Get A Clicker

EcoCity Upgrade Version Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Strap, 4-Pack

You may also find it helpful to include a clicker in your tools. I found this most sought after Dog Clicker which will work very well for your horse clicker training.

With this product on Amazon, you will get a 4 pack of these dog clickers.

They are multicolored and are very highly rated for satisfaction by customers and purchasers of the clickers.

You will also receive each clicker on an elastic wrist band for easy peace of mind keeping.

Read More About Training Both Horse and Rider-View Related Posts Below

6 Basic Steps of Western Horse Riding Lessons

Western horse riding lessons are needed if you are going to ride a horse safely. You need to really enjoy the ride as well. Horses can be a great recreational activity. Follow me as I go through 6 basic steps of the lessons that you really should take.

The Beginner’s Guide to How to Ride a Horse Western Style
The beginner’s guide to how to ride a horse western style is a detailed report on basics that you need to know. I cover many different areas that a new horse rider should be informed of. So differences between western riding and English riding are pointed out.

Why You Need To Know the Difference Between English and Western Riding

When You first become interested in a horse and riding, you will need to make a choice of which horse riding style you wish to pursue.

There is a difference between English riding and Western Riding. You will need to know how English riding vs Western Riding is. Then you will be able to make a much better, informed decision.

Learning to ride a horse means learning the different riding styles that are available. When people are new to riding horses, they often wonder about the difference between English and western riding.

These riding styles have their differences and similarities and one is really no more difficult than the other to learn. With this information, new riders can better understand the similarities and what makes each of these riding styles unique.

Riding Style History: English Riding & Western Style Riding

I am of the strong belief that if you are trying to understand anything, or anyone, you get history on it or them. Until then it’s a crapshoot. Your information could be slanted as sub-standard or lacking.

It could be looked at as bigoted, or small-minded as well if it’s your view on a person.

So since we are talking about a riding style for the horse the first description might fit better. I believe you will be much better informed to make a proper riding style decision if you have a clear picture of what the history looks like for both styles.

English Riding

The English style of riding started in England and the European area of the world. This style is much more a horse, man type of communication type of riding. This style is used more for fox runs, dressage, and horse event jumping and riding competitions.

It uses a small saddle.

If you are of an undisciplined riding control patterns then you will have a mixed up horse and I am, sure your ride may be unsafe as well as not enjoyable.

Horse and man, or woman and horse, it is the relationship that makes a tremendous difference in the English style of riding.

Western Style

Western-style horse riding was developed in the western plains of the United States and the pampas(the large flat surface) grasslands of Argentina, in South America.

The intention here was that the horses were being used for long periods of time by cowboys here in the United States and gauchos in Argentina. Also, it is used by ranchers in Southern Canada and in Australia as well.

They were using the horses for ranching duties and a long day in the saddle leads to the development of a larger, more comfortable saddle.

Thus western style riding does not require as much body control from the rider. This makes western style very popular and easier to achieve great results with than the English style of riding.

The Main Difference Lies in the Tack

When attempting to gain an understanding of English vs western riding, one of the first considerations is the type of tack that is used.

The type of tack presents the main difference in the two styles and sets them apart from one another.

The western saddle is larger and

it covers more area of the horse’s back. It is also much heavier than an English saddle.

The western saddle was designed to evenly distribute the weight of the rider across the expanse of the horse’s back for a greater level of comfort for the horse.

The western saddle was meant to provide a more comfortable ride for horses spending long days on the ranch.

In direct contrast with the western saddle, the English saddle is much lighter in weight and smaller. A smaller saddle allows the rider to have a greater level of contact with the horse’s back.

This type of saddle is meant to provide comfort for both the horse and rider, ensuring the horse’s movements are not impeded by the saddle.

Some riders believe English saddles allow for more intuitive interaction with the horse.

The style of saddle is a primary difference between English and western riding, but there are also other differences, such as riding style, that set these two types of styles apart.

Understanding these differences will help new riders to be able to decide which one will be preferable for them.

The Differences in Riding Styles

For new riders, it can be a bit confusing understanding western riding vs English riding. There are some slight differences in riding styles, but there are also some similarities.

In both riding styles, the rider should always sit up tall and straight.

Slumping or leaning places undue pressure on the horse’s back and can lead to pain and problems with the horse’s natural gait.

Aside from the posture being the same, there are some aspects that create a difference between English and western riding.

English

The English style of riding has the rider taking the reins in both hands. The rider has contact with the horse’s mouth via the reins and directs them accordingly.

An English-style rider also uses the saddle and their legs to direct the horse. These are used to control the speed and direction of the horse so the rider remains in control at all times.

Western

Western styles of riding involve the rider placing both of the reins in one hand. This leaves the other hand available for roping cattle. In western riding, the rider uses the saddle, their weight, and the reins on the neck to control the horse’s speed and direction.

With English or western riding, the horse and rider work as a team, complimenting one another’s moves and intuitively responding to the cues given by both.

Conclusion

If you are new to horse riding, the above information should help you understand what is the difference between western and English riding.

Many new riders try both before deciding which riding style feels most natural to them. Mastering either riding style is not difficult as long as the rider is in tune with their horse and develops a relationship of trust and respect.

In fact, many top trainers of horseback riding will start their students on the English type of riding.

This is done because they figure the lack of saddle and needing to use more of the rider’s body to control the horse will make it just that much easier to switch to western style riding.

Basically, master the more difficult of the two and the lesser will be much easier to accomplish when you are wanting to switch.

Read More About Horseback Riding and The Riding Styles-View Related Posts Below

Horseback Riding Lessons For Kids-What to Expect For a Child
Consider horseback riding lessons for kids as an alternative fun activity for your kids. You can get started today. read about it in this informative post for the parents of today’s seemingly always bored kids. Horseback riding lessons could be a godsend for you.

How to Turn A Horse Some Notes to Improve the Ride
Learning how to turn a horse is a vital riding skill. If you have teamwork, your ride will be much safer. Learn to move your horse in another direction.

Western Horse Riding Lessons Will Improve How Scared Of a Horse You Are

When you are unfamiliar with a horse, the best way to get to know a horse is to take western horse riding lessons.

You will learn so much in just 3 or 4 sessions, that you will find, you are no longer scared of the horse.

But rather you are actually looking forward to seeing the horse again. Petting the horse and riding the horse, and you are now getting pleasure from the activity.

Some Reasons Why Riding Is a Great Activity For You

Horseback riding is a great pastime. Not only can the rider get out in nature and spend time with an amazing animal, but there are also health benefits associated with riding.

Horseback riding can improve the rider’s core strength, it increases muscle tone and flexibility, and it improves coordination.

You will also find that bringing the horse to and from the stable strengthens the muscles and increases cardiovascular capacity.

Riding a horse isn’t something that a person will instinctively know how to do. Before riding, the individual will need to know how to ride a horse step by step.

One thing leads to another thing, Its baby step 1, then baby step 2, etc..

Before learning advanced horse riding techniques, the individual will need to know a bit about horseback riding for beginners.

To get these basics you may go to my posts titled, The Beginner’s Guide to How to Ride a Horse Western Style,  I cover it in detail there for you.

I also have found an excellent training source for this, called the nearly the same name, The Beginners Guide to Horseback Riding, You can check it out here Horseback Riding Guide

Even with knowledge of the basics, first-time riders should work with the professionals in your area, as you progress with your knowledge of western horse riding lessons.

Let’s Now cover the 6 Basic Steps in Western Horse Riding Lessons.

Step 1: Preparing For the Ride

Before riding the horse, the rider needs to be prepared. First, they should wear long pants. Closed-toe shoes with a small heel should be worn.

Please make sure the clothes do not have any loose ends or pieces hanging down or around. Be aware of having anything loose hanging that could be caught suddenly on something.

This could be very dangerous, as the rider could be pulled from the horse very abruptly, causing major body injuries  to the rider.

The heel will keep the foot from coming out of the stirrups. Finally, the rider should wear a helmet. I have written several post on this site about about how important I feel wearing a safety cowboy helmet is.

Whether the rider as a beginner is young or older you need to protect your skull. The number one horse riding injury involves head injuries.

You may read these two articles just to start with on helmet safety importance.

Here are two articles to get you started on Helmet Safety.

Cowboy Hat Helmets Help You Protect Yourself

Buy Only a Riding Helmet Certified By ASTM

The rider should be aware of the fact that horse response to any nervousness or fidgeting, the rider brings with them. Being calm before and during the ride would be highly recommended.

That way the horse is very calm, and thus  very great thing, to be a much easier to be ridden, if both the rider and the horse are relaxed and not uptight.

Finally, the rider should arrive at the stable 15 minutes before the ride so they can get to know the horse and the horse can get to know the rider.

Step 2: Getting On the Horse (Mounting the Horse)

Most first time riders won’t be able to get on the horse without help. Most stables will have a mounting block beside the horse which looks like a small set of stairs.

This will help the rider to get their foot into the stirrup so that they can swing their other leg over the horse.

When getting on the horse, the rider should hold the reins in their left hand or hold onto the rounded knob on the saddle which is called the pommel.

When the rider is up on the horse, they should put both of their feet in the stirrups.

Step 3: Using the Reins

The reins are what the rider uses to steer and stop the horse. They are connected to a bit in the horse’s mouth, which is how it knows what the rider wants it to do.

When starting to learn to use the reins, it would be very important that the new rider would be very alert as to what they are being taught about holding to the reins with the horse.

The rider should always be gentle with the reins. If the rider wants the horse to move left, they should gently pull the left rein toward them. To turn right, the right rein would be pulled.

To get the horse to stop or slow down, the rider should pull back on the reins gently.

Step 4: Changing Speeds

Horses have four speeds, walk, trot, center, and gallop. The horse will start out walking. As a beginner with western style riding you will nbeed to get use to the slowest which is the horse walking.

The other 3 speeds are something you can be taught and work into the longer you have ridden a horse.

Very important to do what you and the horse a most comfortable with. The other speeds are great but not neccessary at the beginning of your experience.

If the rider wants the horse to speed up to a trot, they should gently squeeze the horse’s side with the inside of their legs.

In some cases, a gentle kick with the heel will be necessary. To increase the speed, the rider should put more pressure on the horse’s side.

To stop the horse, the rider should pull back on the reins gently.

Step 5: Cooling Down

Riding a horse exercises it. As with any exercise, the horse will need a cooling down period before the individual completes their ride.

So at this point you need to know that you will need to cautiously dis-mount your horse. After dis-mounting the horse needs to have all of the tack removed.

This will make the horse much more relaxed and then you can calmly walk the horse for a few minutes in the cool down mode.

The cool down period, if done properly will help in you develop a tighter relationship with the horse.

In turn you will have a safer ride and a much more fun ride as well.

They should walk the horse slowly for 10 to 15 minutes until the horse’s neck cools down.

Step 6: Dismounting the Horse

Before getting off the horse, the rider should make sure that it has come to a complete stop. They should hold onto the pommel with the right hand and slowly swing the right leg over the horse’s back.

This will allow them to slowly slide toward the ground. Once the rider is safely on the ground, they should pet the horse and praise it for doing a good job. This will help the horse bond with the rider.

First-time riders should always work with a professional. Their experience can be invaluable to the inexperienced rider.

Riding a horse is a very involved thing, and should be very respected by the rider.

It is not that it is hard to do, but rather that it is very different than anything a person has ever done before. Western horse riding lessons will help first-time riders enjoy a safe and enjoyable ride.

Over time, the rider will learn advanced horse riding tips and techniques.

In Conclusion

The Beginners Guide To Horseback Riding

Horse riding is a fun experience. But always remember you need to respect riding and the horse you are riding.

Horse riding demands good physical condition as well as a sharp mind and the ability to communicate well with your horse.

All that you need to learn can be taught, and putting it into practice will always maximize the fun of riding as well as the safety of riding will always be remembered.

My recommendation for a great study of riding a horse would be to start with this well written and common sense packed knowledge of that special relationship between you and your horse.

Read More About Horseback Riding Lessons-View Related Posts Below

Horseback Riding Lessons For Kids-What to Expect For a Child
Consider horseback riding lessons for kids as an alternative fun activity for your kids. You can get started today. Horseback riding lessons could be a godsend for you.

The Beginner’s Guide to How to Ride a Horse Western Style
The beginners guide to how to ride a horse western style is a detailed report on basics that you need to know. I cover many different areas that a new horse rider should be informed of.