How to Start a Horse

Unillustrated (no pictures), 115 pages

This book provides simple and objective training for the unbroke horse, from first-time bridling and saddling to sacking out, bridle work from the ground, pre-mount work, and your (necessarily short) first ride. You'll learn tried and true, proven methods, tips to keep you safer, and tricks to save time.

- If you began your training in the round pen, this book outlines the next steps.
- If you haven't round penned your horse, you can still begin with this book BUT round penning beforehand is highly recommended.

Section I gets you into the saddle for a first ride. You start on the ground, you end in the saddle. Today's the perfect day to get started putting a proper foundation on your horse, a solid start that'll pay big dividends for the rest of his life.

Section II offers additional related training helpful at this stage in your horse's training career. It includes a chapter designed to prep you the rider/trainer for all future rides, demonstrating specifically how to use your reins for quicker, easier results with horses of all ages. A good 90% of the issues I see at a typical riding clinic could have been prevented if the rider knew a few simple rules about how to hold (and release!) those reins.

Finally, pinned to the tail of this book, you'll find 3 additional chapters, including a trick to gain your horse's respect, a tip to keep its attention--and specifically what to do when you find yourself facing a "Cinchy Horse."

Only you can judge whether your colt or filly is ready for this material!

Though not a mandatory prerequisite, round penning training your horse (using the methods of John Lyons) is the smart thing to do before completing the material in this book. At an absolute minimum, your horse must remain calm and willing in most circumstances when being worked with (today), is thoroughly used to being handled, and you must have the ability to turn the horse toward you as well as away. You must be able to lead your horse, he isn't head shy, and you can handle his entire body, ears, and all 4 feet. If not, check out the prerequisite work found in my book "Round Pen: First Steps to Starting a Horse."

This book is broken down into five "Days" or sessions, each designed for you to take at a pace you set:

• Day One: First-time bridling
• Day Two: Bridle work from the ground (hip and shoulder control)
• Day Three: Sacking out and first saddling
• Day Four: Pre-mount work up
• Day Five: First Ride

Plus:

• "The Reins: 5 Tips to Improve Your Use"
• "Cinchy Horses"
• Reverse of Respect (Getting respect when you've lost it)
• How Do I Get My Horse's Attention?

What this book does not cover: It's loaded with early-stages training for the green horse - but it does not c...