How to Teach a Horse Shake Your Hand

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  Impress your friends with your friendly, hand shaking horse. Teaching this trick is easy and rewarding. Training goes quickly once the horse understands his reward. You can teach horses other behaviors like nodding, shaking their heads, bowing and rearing using this method. Use the following steps to teach a horse how to shake hands.
  

  Purchase a bag of hard, disc-shaped peppermint candy.
• Cut or break the candy discs into quarter. 
• Place the candy pieces into a re-sealable sandwich bag.
• Put the sealed bag into your pocket when you go to train the horse.

Teach the Trick

• Place the halter and lead rope on the horse and lead him to a place where there are few distractions.
• Stop the horse and stand in front of and slightly to one side of him.
• Choose a key phrase, such as, "Let's be friends," and emphasize the word "friends." The phrase, "Shake, Pardner" is another alternative.
• Say the phrase.
• Reach down and grasp the foreleg on the side you are standing on and pull it forward and up. If the horse resists, keep pulling until she lifts her hoof.
• Set the hoof down and praise the horse by petting or scratching him.
• Continue this process until the horse does not resist when you pick up the hoof.

Condition the Response

• Give the horse a piece of the peppermint candy when the horse gives you the hoof willingly. Rewards the horse with candy the first 10 times he gives you the hoof willingly. After that, give the candy randomly but only after she performs correctly.
• Watch for him to raise the hoof without you grasping it. When he does, he gets a candy.
• Feed her a candy the first 15 times he picks up her hoof for you.
• Randomize the rewards after the fifteenth successful behavior.
• Continue training him daily but for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Soon you will have a horse that shakes hands.

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How to teach your Horse New Tricks

Horses are creatures of habit and therefore willing partners when asked repetitive commands. A horse of any age can learn simple tricks with the right motivation. When it responds quickly to the cues, it can master more complicated ones. Problem horses can bond with a trainer by learning tricks, paving the way for learning more traditional riding skills. Trick training is also useful for days when the weather prevents riding or the horse is becoming ring sour.

You'll Need

Halter
Lead Rope
Horse treats

• Select one trick that takes a simple cue to perform. Teaching a horse to nod "yes" or shake its head "no" are good requests to teach first.
• Offer palm-size horse treats to entice a response. Commercial equine cookies, apple slices or carrots pieces will keep the horse's attention.
• Request the action verbally while giving the cue. Softly touch the whip in the area you want the horse to move, such as behind the poll for a head shake. This will associate the word and touch with the command so that future requests will not always need a treat.
• Praise the horse with tone of voice, a pat on the neck as well as the treat. Positive reinforcement is important even if the response is only slight.
• Repeat the request and respond with praise a couple more times to reinforce the cue.

Tips 

Spend only 10 minutes for teaching a new trick. If the horse does not respond to the cue, try later in the day or the next day. Once the horse understands the cue, practice several times a day for a few minutes every day for several days to reinforce the command. Do not give the treat if no response, but do not punish the horse physically or verbally either. Make this a fun training session, with the reward when it reacts correctly. Avoid biting and other bad horse behavior by not always giving treats after the horse has learned the cue. If the horse becomes demanding, stop treats completely. Avoid biting and other bad horse behavior by not always giving treats after the horse has learned the cue. If the horse becomes demanding, stop treats completely. Children can teach a horse tricks but the sessions should always be supervised by an adult.

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How to talk to a Horse or Horses

Is there really such a thing as Horse Whispering? Yes and No. This article tell you why and how can anyone able to do this.

1 Learning to talk to a horse in its own language is not magic. Anyone can learn to talk to a horse. Truly, the only thing required is patience, and the ability to adapt to a language that uses the body far more than it uses sound. The first, and most important step in learning a horse's language, is to spend time watching horses interact with one another. Watch them especially when horses are eating, fighting or when they are with their foals and/or friends. Pay attention when they groom one another, and any and all social interaction that takes place between different members of the herd.

2 Plan on making observations over a long period of time. In fact, lifelong horsepeople will spend as much time as they can each day just observing the horses. People who watch more than speak are true experts. By watching, observe how the horses talk to one another. Very rarely does actually vocalizing take place. The equine, body language and "energy" is horse communication. When a horse chews and licks its lips, it is relaxed, and its ears will rotate out and relax. Anger is displayed through tensed lips, pinned ears, narrowed eyes and flattened nostrils. If this is not enough to get the message across, a snort or a warning kick will be added. Still not enough? Be prepared for a savage bite and a whirl and kick out with both hind feet. Contentment is a heavy sigh and a cocked hind leg. There are as many ways for a horse to display feelings through its body as there are ways for people to talk with language.

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3 Watch and learn from books, tapes, and whatever other media are available, then put it into practice. Go out into the horse's world and say hello. How does one say hello to a horse? NOT by patting its nose. Horses, when they meet in the wild and wish to be friendly, will sniff one another lightly in greeting, then will rub each other on the neck, down by the shoulder. This will quickly progress to mutual grooming behind the withers and along the backbone. Make a proper happy greeting to the horse by approaching him with a hand out to the horse's neck. Touch the horse there. If a nose is offered, gently blow into the horse's nostrils. Pat the horse on the neck and scratch him. He will quickly communicate where to scratch, so continue to do so.

4 Do not allow a horse to crowd or push to earn respect. Horses are very physical creatures, and demand respect from one another. If a horse pushes, stab at his flank with stiff fingers to get the horse off. Squared shoulders and a firm voice make the horse know what is happening. As soon as the horse has listened, immediately back off. Press and release.

5 Use these steps and begin a wonderful lifelong conversation with horses. Horses are incredibly subtle creatures. For example, to calm a fractious horse, speak softly and soothingly, caress his neck and shoulder, and concentrate on thinking calming thoughts. Natural energy will communicate itself to the equine, and the horse will respond. If the trainer is upset the horse knows it. The energy of angry feelings is sensed and acted on by the horse. Never underestimate the sensitivity of these creatures.

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How to Dress for English Riding

Like other sports, riding horses is easier and safer when the rider wears apparel and gear designed to protect him from injuries. A fall from a horse can occur at a speed of 20 to 30 miles per hour so not only should horse riding apparel be functional, it should protect the rider.

1 Choose your headgear by riding discipline or strictly for safety's sake. Beginning riders should wear a trail helmet at all times. English show riders wear helmets disguised under cloth caps. Western rodeo participants usually forego the helmet and wear a cowboy hat, despite the fact that it will not protect them from a head impact.

2 Select a tight-fitting shirt and tuck it into your pants. Long shirttails can catch on portions of the saddle, become entangled in the reins or snag on stable latches. Cotton fabric is cool and comfortable. In addition, long sleeved shirts with fitted cuffs protect your arms from sunburn and insect bites.

3 Pull on those long pants before mounting your horse. Even in swelteringly hot weather, shorts are inappropriate riding apparel. Your legs can easily chaff from the coarse sweaty hair on the horse's side. Boot-cut jeans fit into the top of riding boots and English riding apparel includes breeches that fit snugly around your calves. Baggy pants, like shirts, are not advisable.

4 Try on as many riding boots as needed until you find a pair that fits like a glove. Whether you choose a Western or English style boot, you will be safer. The heel of a riding boot is designed to prevent your foot from slipping too far into the stirrup and it will allow your foot to slip out should you fall. Avoid wearing tennis shoes when riding.

5  Remove any dangling jewelry or large rings when riding. Small stud earrings are permissible but loose jewelry can become entangled in the reins or on stable apparatus. In addition, large rings may catch on portions of the saddle, the reins or stable latches and, once caught, the momentum of a moving horse may unseat you or severe a finger.

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How to Tack Up any Horse

Tie up your horse in cross-ties, a single tie or tie the lead rope to a railing to keep your horse from wandering away.

2 Groom your horse in preparation for a ride.

3 Place protective boots or wraps on horse's legs.

4 Saddle up the horse.

5 Put on schooling aids such as a running martingale or drop noseband.

6 Untie the horse's halter and remove from horse's face.

7 Replace halter around horse's neck to keep him from wandering off.

8 Stand on near (left) side of horse and place right hand over horse's head and gently press downward to get horse to drop his head.

9 Hold bit in left hand while separating the bit from the reins with your fingers.

10 Hold the bit to the horse's mouth. A well trained horse should open his mouth. Give the "Open" command. If your horse won't open his mouth, slip your right thumb in between the lips and gums at the back of the mouth. There are no teeth there. If you wiggle your thumb, your horse should open his mouth.

11 Gently slip the bit into the horse's mouth. Don't force the bit.

12 Gently slip the headstall over the horses ears and buckle latch of throat strap.

13 Thread reins through running martingale loops if you are using one.

14 Check to make sure everything is attached and properly fitted.

15 Ride and have fun!

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How to ride English style

Riding a horse is fun and great exercise. There are many ways to ride, and this article will give you some tips on how to explore the Art of English riding

1 Riding a horse English style is challenging, fun, and fantastic exercise that will tone your muscles and increase your ability to balance. Unlike the Western or Australian saddle, the English saddle has very little to "keep you in the seat", and you will rely on your own sense of balance and your own leg muscles to keep you seated. The English saddle does not have a horn, and consists of a form fitting saddle that hugs your rear end and thighs, while allowing you the additional security of stirrups. Besides this, you are on your own!

2 To ride English, you must sit erect and maintain excellent posture. Direct your weight into your seat and channel the energy of your movement down your thighs and into the balls of your feet, which will be resting in your stirrups. The shoulder, hip, and heel should form a perfectly straight line. Knees are slightly bent, and toes are directed inward while the heel is pressed down. Expect to be quite sore the first few times you ride in an English saddle, as it makes you bend your leg in the opposite fashion you think it should go.



3 Using your reins while riding English is also very different from Western style riding. You do not "neck" rein, but use both hands on the reins independently - sometimes this is called "plow reining". But the art of proper English reining is not coarse in the least. The reins are delicately handled to communicate fine instructions to the horse through an English bit - such as the Pelham or the Snaffle. All of the Dressage schools in the world ride English style.

4 When trotting in an English saddle, one is taught to "post" at the trot. This is another major difference from other forms of riding, and means that the thighs are used to "lift" the seat out of the saddle as the outside shoulder rises up in the horses gait. This uses the natural motion of the horse to help raise you up, and also allows you to ride this gait in a smoother fashion than trying to "sit" the trot.

5 Having a professional instructor through all this makes learning infinitely easier, and your learning curve much shorter. Take the time to explore some local farms and ask for referrals to riding instructors who teach English. Whether you travel to their farm, or they come to yours, it is well worth the time and the money to have the assistance of a highly qualified trainer.

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How to Bridle a Horse

Put your horse in a halter while you prepare to bridle her.

Use cross-ties, a single tie down, or tie the lead line to a post to keep your horse in place. Attach cross-ties to the side rings of the halter.

Attach a single tie down to the ring at the throat of the halter.

Stand on the near (left) side of the horse when putting on the bridle.

Put on a running martingale (helps to keep horse from throwing its head up), drop noseband (helps keep horse's mouth closed) or any other schooling aids.

Check to make sure all other tack is adjusted properly. The cinch should be snug and the back cinch (if you're using one) should be attached.

Remove halter from face and replace around neck to prevent horse from wandering off. 

Place your right hand on top of the horse's head. (Use a mounting block if you can't reach.) With your wrist between the horse's ears and your fingers facing the nose, press gently downward to get the horse to drop its head.    

Grab the top of the headstall (the piece that fits over the horse's head) with your right hand. Separate the mouthpiece (the piece that actually goes in the horse's mouth) from the reins and hold it to the horse's lips. A trained horse should automatically open its mouth. Ask the horse to "Open."

Slip the bit gently into the horse's mouth. Don't force. Once the bit is in place, slip the top part of the headstall over the horse's ears.

Adjust the length of the face strap so there are one or two wrinkles in the skin at the corner of the horse's mouth.

Adjust the chin strap (if your headstall has one). You should be able to fit two fingers between the horse's throat and the strap when the horse's head is facing forward.

Hold both reins in your left hand while undoing the halter with your right hand. When walking with the horse, keep the horse on your right side and hold the reins in your right hand.

Warning and Tips

If you can't reach the top of your horse's head, either stand on a mounting block or slip the mouthpiece inside the horse's mouth and then gently lower your horse's head to fit the headstall.

If your horse fights having the bit put in its mouth, have your horse's teeth checked. Horses' teeth continually grow; the mouthpiece may be rubbing against a tooth.

If your horse refuses to open its mouth, hold the mouthpiece in your left hand and slip the thumb of your right hand into the left side of your horse's mouth, where the lips meet. There are no teeth back there. Wiggle your thumb in the horse's mouth; this may coax the animal to open wide.

Headstalls come with or without chin straps. The headstall either will have one or two ear loops, or will have a brow band that fits across the forehead and a strap that goes over the head behind the ears.

Be careful with a horse's ears when you are putting on the headstall. Horses' ears are sensitive and many do not like their ears touched.

Make sure the mouthpiece you use does not pinch the side of the horse's mouth.

Never force a mouthpiece into a horse's mouth. Allow the horse a few seconds to position the mouthpiece in its mouth.

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