I have 5 yr saddle broke gelding. Good on trails. What should I do in arena to start real training?

Question

He easily saddles, clips, loads, bathes. Very responsive to ground work... showmanship and lounging. When riding him he walks and stops easily on command, but thats pretty much it. We need work on backing turning and really everything else. He had some training before I got him but I basically need to start from the beginning in the arena. I know him well, and know his attitude well. I have ridden horses of all levels for 15 years now, but I have never actually trained one from the ground up so to speak.

Answer 1

Groundwork is always the best place to start.  You can work on yielding to pressure, flexation, transitions...everything begins with a good groundwork foundation.  It's vital to make sure that the horse fully complies with all of your commands on the ground, then move into the saddle.  Start off very basically...everything from a walk.  As the horse gains confidence, them move in speed from there until the horse can complete any task that you ask from any gait.  If there's ever any misunderstandings or disobedience, then you go back to the walk, and work back up.  

It takes a lot of time, patience and skill to develop a great partner.  Best of luck!

Answer 2

A lot of times it depends on the horse, if it is skittish or lazy or agressive then you have to approach ridding differently. Dont try to do everything at once. Work on perfectng one thing at a time then move on to tie in the next thing. It takes time and loads of work but it pays off.