The First Ride

  My first ride on a young horse being started under saddle doesn’t happen until all the following are in place:

1. Nearly perfect ground manners.  This includes a square stop 100% of the time while being led, a yielding of the head, obedient transitions on a lead (except lope) and a whoa that lasts until the next command is given.  This also includes yielding willingly to pressure anywhere on the body.
2. A consistent willingness to please while free lunging including nice transitions at all gaits, impeccable whoa and an over-all “safe” way of moving and behaving.  This includes an understanding of voice commands.
3. An acceptance of a western saddle with a back cinch in all gaits while free lunging (regardless of the discipline you plan to do with the finished horse).
4. An acceptance and understanding of the bridle and bosal/bit you intend to use.
5. An overall work ethic.

To some, this may seem like a lot to learn prior to being ridden.  It is my opinion that this is the minimal amount of schooling a horse needs in order to set him up for success at the first ride rather than have him surprised or unprepared for the next step.  Horses that are not prepared for the ride are far more likely to buck, exhibit fear, pain and confusion.  In fact, I have never had a horse buck, kick, act fearful or attempt any contrary behavior at the first ride when they were prepared properly in advance.  I also believe that later in their riding career a horse often reverts to his first experience under saddle for setting the tone for his reaction to stress.  Clients have told me over and over again that the horses I start for them do not spook or over-react when stressed.  They are more apt to wait for the next command, looking to the rider for support and guidance.  THIS is the sign of a confident horse, one who looks to the rider for “what’s next”.  Horses that anticipate or attempt to “guess” can be dangerous, as they are often drawn back to herd behavior.  Herd behavior can include running off or looking at another horse’s reaction to gauge their own behavior.

Getting on

I typically have spent several days putting a foot and weight in the stirrup as part of a daily work routine.  I like the horses head pulled a bit toward me so I can see his eyes and he can see mine.  I always remind him to “whoa” with a verbal command when I put my foot in and when I sit down on the saddle.  I may stand up on one stirrup and step back on the ground several times.  I may get on with the first step.  It really depends on the horse, the look in his eye and my gut feeling of how far to push that horse, that day.  I cannot stress enough the ability to gauge the horse’s level of comfort at that moment.  This is an ability that comes with time if it comes at all.  If you are unsure of your own ability, you are better getting a professional to do the work for you.  An intelligent person knows when to ask for help…only a fool believes he knows it all!

The mounting/dismounting is the most important part of the first ride.  Those of you blessed with long legs know that they really come in handy during this part of the training!  I use my long legs to move through the process in slow motion, praising the colt and reminding him of what I expect with a verbal “whoa”.  Mounting blocks, jumping up or using a fence to get on make a difficult lesson even more difficult.  They are best left for a later date.  I also stress that this is the time to mount/dismount on both sides.  It prepares the horse for movement and weight shifting on either side…something that occurs regularly while riding.  Typically, I will mount and dismount several times before actually settling into the saddle for the first steps.

In the saddle

 Once on, I praise the horse and adjust my saddle, still reminding him that the command is “whoa”.  A horse that walks off while mounting is not safe.  If your horse is not standing still at this point, you need to spend more time teaching the whoa on the ground, making sure you have offered plenty of praise when it is done properly.  “Whoa” should always be a safe place, your horse needs to believe in that and YOU.

Once the saddle is settled, I ask for my first few steps.  I usually use a voice command and very little leg.  If the horse is reluctant to move forward, try asking again while using a rein to one side and the leg on the same side moving the hindquarters over.  Most colts will worry about balance a bit and take a step to one side.  When that step is taken PRAISE the colt and again ask for whoa.  Build on this process adding a step or two at a time.  Remember, each horse is an individual.  Some may walk off like they’ve been saddled for years.  Others will be very timid about the first few steps.  Take the time that each horse needs…you’ll be glad in the long run as it builds self confidence in the horse AND increases their confidence in you.  If you ask for too much to soon, or punish a horse for showing fear/pain, you set him up for failure as well as teaching him that honesty results in being punished.  I want my horse to be honest.

 A few pointers:

1. DON’T RUSH
2. During groundwork I always teach that slow, rhythmic clucking means MOVE.  When I ask for the first step, my clucking really helps the horse know what I want.  It also provides mental “familiarity” which seems to make a new task easier and less stressful.
3. Move at the horse’s own pace.  Some horses will get through all the groundwork, saddling and the first ride in one week.  Others may take 3 weeks or more.  It’s OK to treat horses as individuals.  If you do, you’re more apt to end up with a sane, self-confident mount that trusts the rider.
4. Get help if you need it.  It’s simply not worth getting hurt!  All the training in the world doesn’t guarantee a horse’s safety, or yours!