All excellent suggestions. You didn't mention what environment your horse came from. Was he used as a trail horse at some point previously? If so, he probably has the drill down pretty good. If he was or is a show horse, is he used to being tied at the trailer in-between times in the show ring? If he was or is, that all helps. If the horse has never had ANY kind of tying experience or if it's always been a show horse and has never had the opportunity to go on a trail ride and be tied up for even a half hour lunch break, my suggestion would be to take your horse with a horse that is street-wise when it comes to trail riding and standing at the trailer or tie-line. It's a whole lot easier for the new and/or nervous horse to "get it" if he has a "been there done that" horse with him as a good example. While you will probably be a little nervous on your first trail riding venture, try to rise above that nervousness because it will carry over to your horse. You are his alpha leader and if you are nervous, he will most likely be nervous. A good example (and this is just a "for instance"): If your horse were to somehow get the rope wrapped around his leg, you wouldn't want to run toward the horse screaming and hollering "oh lord my horse is caught in the rope!" All the hoopla coming from his alpha leader, would most likely make the horse panic and pull back even harder, causing more damage. Rather, you need to force yorself to stay calm, walk as quickly as you can toward your horse without being in a panic and say "Prince, look at you, you've gone and got yourself caught in the rope. Wait! I am coming to you". My horses know and comprehend several voice commands that go beyond the norm. "wait! I'm comin' to ya" is one of them and is a crucial one. They also know hand commands. People have smirked at my teaching my horses "dog" commands, but down thru the years, it has saved my butt and my horses'. While you do need to always "keep your eyes open", not panicking when potential trouble does arise, shows your horse you ARE his very good leader and he hopefully will listen to your commands, and avoid possible disaster. Hope this helps you some |