Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Horse riding is a daily activity that no horse owner can do without. But before you can ride it, the horse must be taught basic skills.

Steps

1. 1 First, the horse must get used to the bridle. Especially if you are working with a young horse or foal that has never seen a bridle before. You can buy it at any horse store, pet store, or online.
   • Make sure the bridle you choose is made of good material. Poor quality material will rub and cause ulcers on the foal's sensitive skin. Remember that a thin and strong bridle is better than a thick and soft one.
   • The foal must be taught to be touched. Do this gradually. Start by lightly touching and stroking around your head where the bridle should go.
   • Playfully teach your foal to touch. After he gets used to you, show him the bridle, let the animal smell it and get used to it.
   • In the early morning or late afternoon, when the foal is asleep, approach him. Ask someone to help you.
   • Whispering and humming, carefully prepare the bridle while the animal sleeps.
   • Place the bridle over the foal's head. Do this slowly and carefully. Most likely, the foal sleeps quite lightly.
   • Don't be alarmed if the foal throws its head back and starts rubbing its muzzle against the fence to try to remove the bridle. This is a completely natural reaction.
2. 2 Then try to get the foal out of the barn and back into the barn. Repeat several times.
3. 3 Now you need an assistant. Put a bridle on the foal and ask the assistant to bring the mare into the barn. Have your helper lead the mare while you lead the foal next to you.
4. 4 Follow the mare slowly, holding the foal slightly. You can loosen your grip a little if the foal is well behaved. Don't let go of the bridle and don't let the foal walk in front of you.
5. 5 Go ahead of the foal. If the foal lags behind or, conversely, runs forward, try to persuade him to obey you, pet him and talk to him.
6. 6 Now try guiding the foal in a circle. Change your location during this time. Be on the side first, then in front, then a little behind.
7. 7 Slowly move further and further away from the foal. If you've been able to lead your foal around the barn for a long time, consider that you've almost reached your goal. Keep in mind that after you saddle a foal, he will still get lost at first and pay too much attention to you.
8. 8 Try to start training as soon as the foal is weaned. Take your time, some foals learn more slowly than others. All horses are capable of incredible tricks, you just have to give them enough time and attention.

Tips

• Do not let go of the bridle until you reach a place that is completely safe for the animal. Teach your foal to obey you and respect other horses.
• Do not put on the bridle too quickly, otherwise you may scare the animal. Of course, you will have to spend some time doing this, but be patient and you will be rewarded.
• To calm an animal, be kind and gentle to it.
• You will need comfortable work boots and gloves to train your foal.

Warnings

• Never stand behind a foal or you may get injured!