Bonding with lesson horses?

Question

I don't own a horse, but I take lessons once a week. I ride a random school horse every week. I feel bad for the school horses, having to so much work for people they don't even trust. How can I use the 30 minutes I have to groom and tack up to get the horse to trust me, just a tiny bit more before I ride them?

Answer 1

If there is a certain lesson horse you enjoyed riding better than the rest, ask your trainer if you can ride him/her all the time.  If you get used to riding that one horse you will know him better and he will know you better.  When you tack him up, take your time, get there earlier so you have more time.

Answer 2

i first off dont suggest treats...you dont want them to get bratty and demand them...i really dont understand the whole trust thing  though i mean if they are lesson horses their used to having lots of different kids riding them and u dont really have to gain their trust because u havent done anything to them that would make u have to gain it so just getting their submission while riding is really it i mean be friendly and give pats but like i said u havent broken their trust so...

Answer 3

Horses remember humans who are authentic. No matter how many people they carry, they do remember the ones who show up with an open heart, the ones who don't try to hide who they truly are. If you love the horses, just love the horses in whatever time frame you have.

If you feel good offering your love through carrots or apples, then bring carrots or apples - but I do suggest putting them in the feeder rather than hand feeding to minimize the chance that they will upset another human. If you feel like you can offer your love best through grooming and touch, then groom and touch with an open heart, letting the horses feel what you feel for them.

It is your presence that they will remember from week to week, and it is your presence that will earn their participation and trust when they meet your for the first time.

Show up in love with horses. Show up with no judgment for any of the other people who ride or teach with these horses. Just love the horses in whatever way is most authentic to you that is reasonable within your time frame.

You can prepare yourself before you even go to the barn by:

1. slow your body down and breathe. You don't have to breathe any particular way, just notice your breath. When you put your focus there, you can let go of whatever else is going on and reconnect with your own body.

2. Notice how you feel. Are you feeling anxious? Angry? Hungry? Tired? Frustrated? Excited? Gotta pee? Are you feeling sorry for the horse you're about to ride? When you know how you feel, and you are honest about it (without ever needing to say it out loud to anyone), the horses sense it. They can relax when the people around them remain aware of themselves and aren't walking around with anxiety (for example) that they can't see for themselves. When you are honest with yourself about how you truly feel, then the horses feel like you are telling the truth, and they find nothing to protect themselves against. Be who and what you truly are.

3. How would you like to feel when you are finished with your ride? Can you remember the thrill of riding a horse, like a little kid who just LOVES being with the horses, just because they're horses? Can you remember what that feels like in your body? The openness, the total absence of judgment or concern...just the pure love? Tap into that sense before you even get to the barn, and walk around with it. The horses will see it immediately. It feels good to them, too! Let them see your love. It's safe with them!

The ultimate message here is to be authentic, show your love in the way that best suits you (follow the barn rules and use safe practices), and know...don't trust, know...that the horses notice. Most school horses are shut off because they don't find many people who are open to them - most of the people are rushed, trying to satisfy the trainers, etc, when we're all drawn to horses in the first place because we feel such love in their presence. Let yourself be in love when you are there! The amount of time you spend with them is irrelevant when the love is authentic!

Answer 4

Im 14 and sometimes teach, trust me the lesson horses really see so many people that any work you do accomplish will most likely be undone. I sugest asking if you can lease your fave pony, then just take your pony grazing and brush him/her alot! food also helps!

good luck!  

Answer 5

well A.A ur answer is wrong. horses need the the trust of u to no that ur there to be their friend and ur not going to hurt them because its like ur dog or cat u need to let hem no that ur there friend. so just spend time with him/her giving them attension, grooming them and like somone said try to get tere earlyer.

good luck

  

Answer 6

I felt the same way when i started at my barn. But at my barn the lesson kids didn't even tack up their own horses the workers did! So i asked if i could work for free rides after 2 1/2 months i could every single lesson horse to follow me with no halters! (More time to spend with the horses)

Don't offer them treats at first, if you do do give it to them after they do something good for you, and blow on it and stick it in the grain bucket. Have you seen horses greet each other? they will usually hold their noses together and blow at each other... that's how they greet each other, so when i give a horse a treat i always blow on it, i don't know if it actuall works, but it's worth a try.

Pay attention to his body language, lets say you have your reins tight, and he's jerking against you, he want's them longer, a horse will not respect or trust you if you if you aggravate him, just be relaxed and calm and youll do fine. and don't be loud and annoying like all the other kids that ride them

Horses also don't like it if you make direct eye contact when you first get to know them.... it can be threatening to them.

Answer 7

Take your time to groom, come to the barn earlier if possible. Most horses love it when someone takes the time to do the job properly. If you find a particular spot the horse likes being scratched, give him/her scratches every time you walk by their stall when you're not riding him/her. If you have time after your lesson, untack the horse and sponge the sweaty parts yourself. Hand-graze for 15-20 minutes and just stand there, giving him/her pats and carrots.

Answer 8

spend a bit of time strokeing the horse and give it a carrot after then they will be your firend for life!

Answer 9

wel.

i get 2 riding quite early

maybe get there and give him some carrots and apples

thats what i did every week 2 gain trust of the horse i use2 ride.

pat, talk 2 him while ur grooming him and tell him hes a gd boy

while riding tell him hes gd and all.

Answer 10

I'm in a similar position though i tend to ride one horse for a few weeks and change over. I don't get to tack up where i ride but unstack, i find just brushing them, talking to them and then petting them all over and finding their favourite spots really helps. Mostly i've found forehead, cheeks or even under the chin/down the neck to be good spots on a tacked up horse too.

I do take treats, normally carrots and find that well behaved school horses will not become bratty over them, and if they do, then simply don't give them on demand, only give them when they are nice and quite and polite. I think the horses have nicknamed me treat girl because i always get the 'treat?' nicker with ears forward now, even from horses/ponies i have never been on! Also i take extra and give them to horses standing around or in the paddocks later and they seem to remember that ;)

Answer 11

give him luvs and kisses!!!!!! talk to him and make him feel all spacial and some treats will make him love you!