Prior to the first horseback riding lesson, new riders frequently worry about their horse making a break for it and running off. However, the more typical issue during horseback riding for beginners is just the reverse: it is difficult to get the horse moving.

This is decidedly disheartening for the beginning rider, who has not cultivated sufficient leg power to successfully handle a sluggish horse. The only thing that he knows to do is to kick and hope that it works.

Teaching new riders how to goad the horse with the legs is not the purpose of horseback riding lessons, but what can be done concerning the issue of laziness in the horse?

Possible Reasons for Laziness

Before you can motivate your horse you should try to figure out why he is feeling so lazy. If your horse is accustomed to spending hours each day with unbalanced and inexperienced riders on his back, he may have learned to “switch off” or block out the commands of student riders.

Being overweight, a frequent and obvious cause of lethargy, or having feed or health issues are additional reasons that a horse may evidence laziness. Should you be the owner of the horse, investigate the potential source of the issue and determine how you can increase his energy level.

Energizing the Lazy Horse

One way to get your horse moving is to always carry a riding crop to your lessons, but make sure not to swat your horse inadvertently.

Ask him to move off in walk with quiet legs, and if he doesn’t respond, ask him with a quick jab of the heels. If he moves off, stroke his neck and tell him ‘good boy.’

If he doesn’t move, tap him on the shoulder with the crop while tightening your legs. Your horse should begin moving without you having to swat him on the rear with the crop. But if he resists use one swift reinforcement along with your legs.

Walk for half the length of the arena, then halt. Ask for walk again, repeating the above procedure until he walks off smartly. Continue this exercise until you can merely brush his sides with your legs for him to move energetically into walk. Praise him when he responds immediately.

Now ask him to transition into trot from walk, using the same methods as from halt to walk. By now the horse should be listening to you and respecting your aids. If at any time he ‘forgets,’ reinforce your aids with a swift tap of the whip.

Consistency is very important in teaching your horse to do as you bid the first time you ask. After this relationship is established you and the horse will build a partnership based on trust and respect that will be fun and exciting for both of you.

Horse riding beginners, check Jim Milton’s horseback riding how to website to learn how to ride a horse and read more from Milton’s horseback riding lessons.

Tags: Horses