| It is far more enjoyable to ride a horse that | | | | hurdles. This way he develops trust in you. |
| trusts you rather than one who does not. But | | | | Never make him do anything which is beyond |
| getting a horse to trust you is a difficult | | | | his capabilities. |
| task, especially if the horse has a history | | | | |
| of past abuse. | | | | Gaining trust from a horse which has been |
| | | | previously abused, is nearly impossible. |
| It is indeed possible to befriend a horse who | | | | However with a lot of patience, you may evoke |
| is shy and reticent but does not have a | | | | some confidence at the end. |
| history of past abuse. Make sure that you | | | | |
| approach the horse from the left. And always | | | | Taking to your horse if a soft, soothing |
| remember to show him what you have in your | | | | voice helps. Do this before you ask him to do |
| hands - even if it is a hoof pick, meant to | | | | any task. Never make yourself overbearing to |
| be used on him. | | | | your horse, demanding to get his attention. |
| | | | And never try to ride him before you get his |
| The second thing to remember is always to | | | | trust. Relieve him of any fright or mistrust |
| wear tight clothes. Loose clothing flaps in | | | | first. When he is used to your presence as |
| the breeze and may unnerve you horse. And | | | | well as your voice, approach him then. |
| once you have scared him, it is difficult to | | | | Remember always that a horse who is scared is |
| make him believe you. Its hardly comfortable | | | | very difficult to manage, so never force |
| both for the owner as well as the horse, if | | | | anything on him. On the contrary, offer him |
| there is an element of fear and mistrust | | | | some food that he enjoys. Soon after he has |
| between the two of you. | | | | relished something given by you a few times, |
| | | | gently stroke his muzzle to befriend him |
| To put it simply you should not make the | | | | further. |
| horse do any activity, which he does not feel | | | | |
| confident to do. The horse has to have full | | | | You know you have reached some understanding |
| confidence on you, when you ask him to jump | | | | with your horse, if you find that your horse |
| or trot down an unfamiliar path. If you ask | | | | is letting you stroke him. You must however |
| him to take a jump and he fails to do so, he | | | | never ride an abused horse, without the help |
| will lose the confidence he has in you | | | | of a horse trainer, who has had some |
| instantly. He will be frightened to take any | | | | experience with abused horses. These horses |
| command from you the next time. So, instead | | | | are calm when you are on the ground but |
| try and build his confidence in you slowly | | | | starts panicking when you are trying to ride |
| and gradually. Practice with him, going down | | | | them. |
| a wide and easy road or jumping over easy | | | | |