Horse Riding Confidence?

Question

I need more confidence in letting the horse I ride know "I'm Boss" whist in the saddle . . how do I do this ? I start college in a few months and have been told to keep up my lessons and become "stronger" any help would be grateful !

Answer 1

Well maybe you need to be physically stronger and more confident within yourself.  Being confident does not come from being told to be.  It comes from overcoming fears.  If you are not as physically strong as you need to be to control the horse then no amount of thinking is going to change that.  Try some exercises.  In the end try to be kind to the animal and I am sure it will pay off.

Answer 2

You need to link up with your horse and this will make you boss automatically because your horse will consider you the leader and wait for your instructions and if you give them clearly in horse language he will go and do just about anything that you ask.  Find a parelli instruct on linking up with your horse.  This will also give you confidence to know that your horse is waiting for the right cue from you.

Answer 3

What you want to do is be firm with your horse while not making him think you are mean.  You must earn a level of respect with your horse.

First you need to earn his trust.  When you are around him,

talk to him and pet him and let him know you are there.  When you are doing his feet, GENTLY set his foot down, this is a good way to improve your level of trust with him.  

Second, you need to make sure you are always the one in control.  When you are in the saddle, make sure you never let him get his way.  I've found with my horse that he respects me more when I let him do something himself, instead of forcing him to do it by hurting him.  Make sure you give him clear aids, so he knows EXACTLY what you want him to do.  This will help him respond to you better and be confident in everything you do.  Horses can sense when you are unsure of yourself and will try to take advantage of that.  He can sense when you are confident and ready to take control.

Try to do new things with him that he is reluctant to do, but make sure to encourage, not harass him.  Horses want to have a leader to follow, it's the way they are designed.  You have to fill that role.  If he trusts you and knows you are in control, he will be very willing to please you.  Your horse will probably try to see what he can "get away with", when you are in the saddle, and you have to make sure that you let him know that he can't get away with anything, without being too harsh.