It can be frightening to be around a horse.Whether you are on horseback or on the ground, there are steps you can take to help calm the horse down.Take your own safety into account before you do anything else.If the horse is acting aggressive, stay away and call someone for help.
Step 1: Take a moment to relax on both reins.
If you feel a horse getting excited, or something on the trail scares it, you might want to tighten the reins.This will make the horse more anxious.The horse may be a little calmer if you loosen your grip on the reins.Try to keep your legs out of the horse's side.If you overreact by yelling and yanking on the reins, you will reinforce that the horse had something to be afraid of.If your horse picks up on your body language, stay calm and relaxed.You don't want to make your horse jittery.
Step 2: The horse should be given clear commands.
Try not to shout even if you are nervous, and give the horse a command to slow or stop.Consistency in using verbal commands is important during training.The horse will know what you expect it to do when you are away from home.Most of your instructions to the horse should be through your body language and use of the reins, but verbal commands can be useful as well.
Step 3: Pull one side of the reins.
Pull one side at a time until the horse starts to turn.If the horse favors one side during training, you may want to turn it that way.The turning of the horse's head will stop it from moving forward and it will also cause it to lower its head, which is a cue to calm down.Don't drop the other rein, but leave plenty of slack in it.
Step 4: The horse's hindquarters should be pushed to the side by your leg.
Press in with your leg on the same side when you pull the rein.If you try to squeeze your leg into the horse's side, it will make it harder to control.The hips over technique causes the horse to step sideways to try to ease the pressure you're applying.If the horse doesn't respond in a few seconds, squeeze your leg against it's side harder.The horse will be deterred from moving forward if it is stepped sideways.
Step 5: When the horse steps sideways, release the pressure on the rein.
The horse will fight against the rein if it is held too long.If you feel the horse take a big step to the side, you can ease up on the rein and hold it in your hand.You should still be holding them securely even though the reins should have a lot of slack.
Step 6: If the horse has not settled down, repeat on the other side.
A more inexperienced horse may still be feeling excited even though a single turn is all it takes to calm a well-trained horse.If it is still jigging, pull back on the opposite rein and apply pressure on that side.You might have to repeat this a few times, alternating which side you turn toward.
Step 7: The horse should be given constant instructions to keep its attention occupied.
Give your horse plenty to do after you have calmed it down.If you want your horse to remember what you are doing, have it ride around objects along the trail.It may be possible to shift its attention away from what excited it in the first place.If you are riding in a group, you can move ahead or behind other horses.
Step 8: If you can't get the horse under control, dismount.
A horse that is excited may not respond to a calm down cue.If the horse is panicked, bolts, or otherwise causes you to feel that you are in danger, you should leave it immediately.Remove your feet from the stirrups, push yourself up off of the saddle, and swing one leg over it.Push away from the horse as you slide down the ground.You can avoid injuries if you land on your shoulder and roll away from the horse.Don't try to catch you while you're falling.
Step 9: If you get separated, don't chase the horse.
You won't be able to outrun a horse that panics and bolts, so there's no point in trying to chase it.Since a horse is a prey animal in the wild, if you run toward it, it will tell you to run away.When the horse is calm, approach it slowly.You will scare the horse if you wave your arms, yell, or lunge at it.As you walk toward the horse, keep your arms at your sides or slightly extended.Try to corral the horse in a corner if possible.Once the horse calms down, it will come back to the group.It may head there if you are close to home.
Step 10: Once the horse has calmed down, approach it slowly.
The horse should either be standing mostly still or jigging slightly if it is still worried or hesitant.If you walk near the horse's front shoulder, you'll be able to protect yourself from getting kicked.As you approach the horse, talk to him in a quiet voice.If you need additional people from the barn to help corral the horse, you may need to ask them.They can help you corner the horse.The horse could hurt itself trying to get away if you try to approach it.
Step 11: Pull the horse's reins down and onto the side.
Pull down and outward until the horse starts to lower its head.Horses lowering their heads is a trick used by horse trainers to encourage more peaceful interactions with the horse.Try to get the horse to look at you with both eyes as it lowers its head.It should become calmer as it becomes more focused.If reaching for the reins upsets your horse, try using a halter and lead line.Make a loop with the lead after you drape it over the horse's shoulders.If the horse doesn't have a bridle on, this technique can help.
Step 12: The horse needs to be lunged at.
The horse needs to be distracted by putting it to work.Attach the horse to the lunge line and then direct it to run circles around the end of the rope.If you stand in the center of the circle, you can stop the horse and have it change directions.If you put the horse into a stall with its food after it gets excited or spooked, it will feel like it is being rewarded for its bad behavior.
Step 13: If you are in the middle of a ride, mount the horse.
If you had to dismount and lunge your horse on the trail to calm it down, get back in the saddle after you finish the exercise.Don't get discouraged if the horse starts to get excited again later on, or on the next ride, because training a horse often takes consistency and patience.Continue to practice the same techniques each time.Once the horse calms down, you don't need to mount it.
Step 14: Make sure your horse isn't hurt.
What seems like disobedience in a horse is actually a reaction to pain.A poorly-fitting bit or a sharp edge under the saddle can cause extreme pain to a horse, which may lead it to rear or jig when you are riding it.Before every ride, inspect the tack and make sure it is in good shape.Make sure to groom your horse after you ride it to help keep it healthy and comfortable.
Step 15: Don't punish your horse for being naughty.
Horses can get mean towards their rider.Sometimes the horse is testing the authority of the pack leader, but it can also be due to poor treatment.If your horse acts up, never hit or punish it.It will know what you expect it to do if you give it positive feedback.If you're worried about hitting or punishing your horse, put it back in its stall until you both calm down.Try again.It's important to make your horse feel secure and to work with it frequently to get it to respect you.
Step 16: It's a good idea to exercise your horse several times a week.
Horses benefit from constant, ongoing training, as they need an outlet for their physical energy.If you want to establish that you are in control, lunge your horse for at least 10 minutes a week.The horse will be easier to control if you do groundwork before you ride.Change speeds and stop during groundwork training.This will allow you to have better control over the horse.
Step 17: During rides, keep other horses off the trail.
The more horses there are, the more excited your horse will be.This excitement can cause a lot of anxiety on the ride.If you can't control your horse during another ride, stick to a group of horses on the trail.The horse may struggle to keep up if it feels like it needs to get ahead of the group.The horse can become excited and difficult to control in either situation.It is best to know your horse's preferred place when riding with a group.It may want to be a leader or bring up the rear.Changing your horse's position in the lineup is a way to make it behave better during group rides.If you lose control of the horse, it's a good idea to ride in pairs or a group of 3.
Step 18: If your horse is hard to control, avoid unfamiliar locations.
If you don't feel confident that you can control your horse, try to limit its exposure to unfamiliar areas.Horses get nervous if they don't know where they are or what's going to happen.As you gain more control over the horse, gradually introduce it to new places and things so it won't be as likely to be spooked when you're out on a trail.When you go on a new trail, speak softly and encourage your horse so it will stay calm.Pet it along its neck and hindquarters to help it relax.
Step 19: If you can avoid it, don't ride in cold weather.
Cold, windy weather can make it difficult for horses to sense when a predator is near.If your horse has a history of being hard to control, it is best to avoid riding in this weather.A sunny day is the best time for a ride.