| No matter how well trained your horse may be there | | | | stop the horse and allow them to become familiar |
| are always little things that can spook or startle a | | | | with the object that is bothering him. Talk calmly to |
| horse, causing him to jump sidewise, stop suddenly | | | | the horse and even cue him to back away and then |
| or even take off running. Knowing what bothers your | | | | approach the object from a different direction. You |
| horse is important, as you can be alert and watchful | | | | may also want to dismount and lead the horse past |
| of any potential problems while you are out. | | | | the object, allowing them to smell and look at it. |
| If you have a horse that is a known to shy or | | | | When you return, allow the horse to walk past at a |
| startle, it is important to be sure that they are as | | | | distance, soon they will accept the object or area |
| calm as possible before starting out on a ride. Using a | | | | without hesitation. Never try to run a horse past an |
| longe line to work the horse for 20 minutes or so | | | | object they are frightened of as this will establish a |
| before riding will help take the edge off, plus it will | | | | really dangerous habit. |
| help your horse work with your when you get on its | | | | Avoid any types of stunt riding with your horse |
| back. A horse that trusts its rider is much less likely | | | | unless you are in a training arena with someone that |
| to over-react to a sudden noise or a bird flying out | | | | knows what they are doing. Riding side saddle, sliding |
| of the bush ahead. | | | | off the back of the saddle or even trying to stand |
| A good idea is to start introducing new things to | | | | up in the saddle are simply accidents looking for a |
| your horse in training, this helps them to understand | | | | place to happen. You should also avoid your friends |
| that while you are around they have nothing to fear. | | | | or fellows if they tend to engage in these types of |
| Aside from watching for blowing objects, flapping | | | | activities as they are likely to cause problems for you |
| flags and weird shaped objects that may be new to | | | | and your horse through their actions. |
| your horse, as the rider you also have to stay in | | | | Another consideration that a responsible rider will |
| control of the horse. Always maintain contact with | | | | make is to avoid specific things that they know are |
| the bit through the reins, don't ever drop the reins or | | | | upsetting or frightening to the horse until they have |
| hang them over the saddle, this is really dangerous as | | | | had a chance to desensitize the horse. For example, |
| if the horse bolts you will have no way to calm and | | | | if the horse is afraid of vehicles, avoid riding them |
| steady the horse. | | | | beside roadways, especially those with heavy traffic. |
| Also, don't allow the reins to become so loose that | | | | If the horse is particularly excited in stormy weather, |
| you cannot, with a gentle movement, apply pressure | | | | postpone your ride or do some work inside in a |
| to the bit to control the horse. If your horse does | | | | covered arena. |
| become spooked or seems hesitant to go forward, | | | | |