Mike Reel working with Sultan, a black walking horse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GylHQKBdhz0
Some people believe that you just throw a saddle on a horse and take off riding. This theory gets many people hurt because the horse they get on is not trained properly. Horse training is very important not just for riding horses but for every horse. A horse that does not know how to behave is dangerous to people and to itself. Every time you work your horse, whether in the saddle or on the ground, you are training the horse. Most people, without knowing it, are training their horse wrong. The rider will let the horse walk on top of them or will let them by with being stubborn, so the horse learns that they can do what they want. If you do not want to train your horse to do the right things, then you will have issues that will never go away. An experienced rider can handle a younger, green broke horse because they know what the horse is saying through body language, but a young horse is never a good idea for a unexperienced rider. A checklist for how to find a good trainer/riding instructor follows:
- Do you work with beginners?
- How long have you been teaching? How many years have you been involved with horses?
- Do you teach children? Adults? Can we ride together?
- What are your prices?
- Do you offer private, semi-private, group lessons?
- Can I watch you teach a lesson?
- Can you give me some references – other students, resume etc.?
Remember you make your horse what it is. The time you spend with your horse means all the difference in the world.
Arena Buddy 