Riding my horse?

Question

My mare hasnt been riden in a few years. Well really been riden. I ride her bareback, now and then.

But we now live by her, her im going to begin her training and riding again.

When i put the saddle on her she didnt take to it well. I dont think she was use to it. What are some things i can do to get her use to the saddle again?

Should i lunge her with it on?

What are some training things you can do?

Im going to have a round pen that i can train her in, but do you need the sand? thanks!

Answer 1

Approach and retreat - slowly.

Slowly approach with the saddle - if she's showing visible signs of fear or anxiety, retreat a little and speak soothingly to her.

Place the saddle on her back, carefully and slowly, then remove it. Wait a minute, then do this again, leaving it on a little at a time while she gets used to the movements and understands you won't hurt her.

Begin cinching, same patterns. Pull up the cinch, if she's anxious.  Drop it back a little and speak soothingly to her and move slowly.  Watch her all the time for anxiety.

You must teach her that waht you are doing will not hurt her.  Do not immediately cinch her down tight.  Cinch enough to hold the saddle on.  Then go to the round pen and move about for 10-15 minutes.  Gait transitions up and down, changes in direction to get her focused on you - doing this each time, you'll see that one day she's hooked right on you, the next maybe it takes longer for her to focus.  They have good and bad mood days just like us.

slowly cinch up the saddle tight before getting on.

A round pen may benefit from sand if the ground you're on is very hard.  I don't have any in mine, I just keep it worked up good so it doesn't get hard.

Answer 2

Take your time and she will do fine. It will come back to her.

Just remember if you make a big deal out of it, your horse will too.

Answer 3

Let her smell it, and get her used to seeing it. Put it on her without the girth or her bridle (just a halter) and leave it on for a minute. Work up the time, then actually tack her up with it. Lunge her with it on for a while, and then you could try to ride her. In the early stages (saddle on for a minute, tack up, etc.) give her treats while she wears the saddle. Don't give her any treats when she isn't wearing the saddle. She will incorporate the saddle with good things, and will want it to be on.

Answer 4

What actually happened when you put the saddle on her?  Did you cinch it, or did she react so you removed it without cinching it?  If you did cinch it, how did she react?

Answer 5

Check websites with helpful hints. And some of the answers r good

Answer 6

put a bridle on and walk the horse around..

place the saddle on and tie to bridle to the saddle horn so the reins don't fall. lunge your horse wiht the saddle once your horse calms down take a lead rope and walk/trot/back your horse with it.. lunge your horse again.. have it lope. when it gets better have someone either get on while you lunge the horse or have someone lunge the horse while you get on. round pens are GREAT! sand ( i find ) is more comfortable for my horses. you can lunge them in that and then work their hindquarters by moving the horse in a circle so the back feet pivot but stay planted and the front feet move around the back feet.. back the horse again.have some one ( or your self get on the horse ) and let the horse walk where ever it wants to in the round pen.  ( WEAR A HELMET) just incase.. walk the horse. trot and lope the horse.

email me at [e-mail]... i train my horses and i have much more to tell you if you want to know how to break your horse start to finish...