How to Train a Horse to Lie Down to For Mounting

If you have a good relationship with your horse, you can put your horsemanship skills to the ultimate test by teaching your horse to lay down. Prey animals will not lay down alongside another animal they do not trust, so laying your horse down is a great way to prove the trust and respect your horse has for you. It is also a handy trick for mounting a tall horse when you do not have a stool or fence to climb unto.

Attach the bridle and have the reins over the horse's neck. Stand near the horse's left shoulder and make sure you can back him up and bend his head around to the right by pulling on both reins or just the right rein, respectively.

Tie the rope to the horse's left front leg, around the pastern. Take the tail of the rope under the horse's belly and up over his back so that the tail comes over the back and to you as you stand at his right shoulder.

Lift the horse's left front foot and pull the rope tight so it brings the horse's leg to his belly. Release. Repeat a few times until your horse seems OK with the process.

Pull on the reins--with the leg up--and invite the horse to rock backwards. It is helpful to bend the horse's neck slightly to the right. At first the horse might find this very threatening. Only ask him to rock back a little, release the reins first, then release the foot. Eventually, rock the horse back a few times without releasing the foot in between. Take your time and keep your horse confident. It may take a few days or weeks to rock the horse back far enough that his knee touches the ground. Congratulations. You just taught your horse to bow! That definitely deserves a treat. If you can, try giving the horse a treat while he is bowing to keep him in the bow for longer periods of time. Many riders can lean across the horse from this position to mount, so if you get stuck after this step, you may still be able to mount your tall horse.

Put your left stirrup over the saddle horn so your horse is not uncomfortable when he does lay down. Get your horse into the bow position and use the rein to pull his nose around to the right. (Pull the rein towards his hips, not towards his withers.) This may be enough to get your horse to fall onto his left side. If not, you can also pull on the saddle horn to encourage the horse to fall gently sideways. Don't be surprised if your horse resists and ends up falling to his right side instead. Either way, give him a treat and do not let him up until he is calm. It is sometimes helpful to repeat the lay-down a few times in a row so the horse learns it is nothing to be afraid of--you can put him down, but you will give him a treat and let him back up. Only when your lay-down is very controlled should you mount and ride the horse up. 

Thing you might need

1. Bridle

2. Long soft rope

3. Western Saddle

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How to Care for Horse After Riding

After a ride or a training session, it is important for your horse's safety and health to go through a series of tasks. These tasks also signal to the horse that the work is done for the day.

1. Cool the horse down. As with any exerciser, the horse needs to let his muscles cool down. Dismount and walk the horse around for a bit. The horse should be breathing regularly and starting to feel cooler to the touch before returning to the pen or stable.

2. Let the air in. Loosen the horse's saddle by loosening the cinch, which works similar to a belt buckle. Once back at the stable, you can take off the cinch, saddle and bridle.

3. Provide water. Give your horse access to fresh, cool water after a workout.

4. Consider grooming. Although not universally done, it's a good idea to brush your horse out after a training session. The area covered by the saddle may be sweaty, and if you allow the sweat to dry on the coat it may leave residue behind and attract dirt.

5. Never put your Horse Hot in the stall.

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Training a show Horse to Park Out

A show horse is usually required to park out during competition. "Park out" is a stance that shows off the conformation of the animal and shows that he has good manners. Your horse will be standing with its neck and head held high and front and back legs extended, like in the picture.

Train your horse to do this at a young age, after it is halter-trained as a yearling. You can still train an older horse, however. Make it something you do every day as part of your training routine. Here are a few basic steps to teach your horse has to park out with or without a rider.

1 Start with the ground training technique, meaning you are controlling the horse from the ground, either with a halter and lead shank or a bridle, without a rider.

2 Stand on the left side of your horse toward the front of its shoulder, and use the halter or bridle to raise its nose up, gently pulling its head forward at the same time. The idea is to get your horse to raise up and "stretch out," so it will have to move its front feet forward into the parked-out position.

3 While you are using your left hand to raise its head and stretch it out, put your right hand on its shoulder and put some pressure on the pasterns of its front feet with your own foot. The pastern is the spot just above the hoof and just below the fetlock. Use your foot either by tapping on the pastern or gently pushing it forward. You can use a training command here if you like such as "out." Do this with both its front feet, until the horse is in position.

4 Pet and coax your horse through this, to make it a pleasant experience. As soon as your horse gets into position, pet and soothe it with a calming voice. Gently coax its nose back down once it is stretched out, to put it in proper position.

5 Feed your horse treats while it in this position, to encourage it to stay there. Baby carrots or peppermints work well. Keep the pieces small, especially if your horse has a bit in its mouth. Your horse will have to park out and learn to stay in that position in the show ring.

6 Teach your horse to do this with a rider on its back, once the ground training technique is learned. You will be in the same position doing the same things in the steps listed above. Instruct your rider to tap her toes gently on your horse's shoulders as you ease your horse into the position. Use the same command: "out." At this point, your horse will have to get used to you walking away from it and staying in position for the rider. The goal, with a lot of repetition, is to have the horse park out simply by the rider tapping her toes on its shoulders.

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