Thursday, July 30, 2009

How to ride a 7 year old horse who hasn't been ridden in a long time?

The horse is about 7 years old and 14 to 15 hands. She hasn't been ridden in a long time. I really love her! She extreemly sweet and loves to run around. She lives down the rode from me and the owner's don't want to ride her because of the fact that she hasn't been ridden in so long, but I want to ride her bad. So their neighbor who my sister babysits for and the horse owner's relative is going to ask if I can stary ridding her. The reason that I want to get this paint horse ridable again is pretty much for two reasons. 1) She beautiful and is a great horse just going to waist and 2) I only have one horse and my friend has two about to be three (hopefully) right now only one is ridable so it's kinda hard for me, her and her two brothers to all go ridding so by getting the horse ridable we will have 5 horses to ride so when she or I have a friend over we can still go riding.
So what steps should I go through to accomplish this? Thanks so much!
Answers:
If she's not been worked with for a while I'd start by grooming her and getting to know her. After a couple of days I'd start tacking her up and lunging her to she how she responds to work. If she seems willing, make sure you have a helmet on and someone else there and get on. Start her back slowly so she doesn't hurt, walking/trotting trails will build up good muscle tone. Soon she'll be in riding shape.
This can be very exciting for you but be aware that horses are "extreamly smart" %26 they know WHEN your trying %26 when your not. I'm not kidding when I say that they know even when your heart is racing fast so I would just go everyday to see this horse %26 just hang around with no intentions. Get to know one another until this horse can start to trust you or allow you to approach the next step. If this horse has been ridden before I think that you can get this horse to warm up to you in no time!
Do it old school ~ put the saddle on her %26 after she gets use to it jump on her back. Hold on for dear life %26 if she knocks you off get right back on again, keep doing this until she just lets you get on a ride. This is best if you have a 2nd person to hold the horse on a lunge leash so she can't run far or rear-up to much.
Try lunging her first. LUNGE LUNGE LUNGE! It is the first step to establishing respect in your partnership. Spend lot's of time grooming and then, try and lunge her with the saddle. Gradually work you way up and you'll be riding in no time again! It's going to be hard, but if you really work at it you'll do good.
Its so awesome to know that there are other horse ppl out there.
Ok, I think that you should bond with her first. Brush her and get her used to you and have her know she can trust you. Then start saddling. If she does well enough to be progressive then stop and let her know she is good. After a while you should start lunging her under saddle. Determine whether or not she is ready then just lean on her back for longer periods of time. If she does well for a couple of days then get on her. I would get on, take a couple strides, then get off. Do this repeatedly. You dont need to go through all these steps if you think she is ready to move on more quickly, but never take it too fast. It is better to have more lessons and more teachings with her and less time in each one. When you think she is good, start riding her for longer periods of time.
I know that this is a horse that has been ridden in the past so sometimes you can get lucky with a good horse who you can like not ride for three years and get up and have little problems. This may be the case. I dont know, except you should take it slow if you are just starting to work with her. I only got this info from personal experience. the owners are the ones to determine what methods presented are best.
Get a vet to see if she is Heath. i have been reading a house book that might just help you with this. it has behaviors and mood. And it can teach you how to get to know her. IT is called UNDERSTANDING YOUR HORSE. hope this helps
Since each horse is an individual, you need to get to know this horse's personality. Assuming she was started under saddle at one time, she will remember it. Some need constant work to be a good ride, some just need a little tuning up after a layoff. You should have a second person to keep you company the first time you saddle this horse. Watch her reactions. If all is good, then lunge or round pen her a bit to see what she does next. If she seems calm, then put a foot in the stirrup and see how she reacts to weight in the saddle. Be prepared for a quick dismount if she gets unsettled. If she's OK with you on her back, ask her to walk with your extra person nearby. Take it from there according to her responses from what you ask.
If at any point in this process, she reacts badly, she will need to be retrained by someone that knows how.
Start by grooming her. Especially her back were the saddle will be, since he hasnt been ridden in a while she may get saddle sores. Then I suggest LUNGING her for at least 15-20 min. That being said, you now have her respect. If you are able go get another person that would be safer. Get another person and have them walk the mare around while you are on her. After you feel safe, have your friend turn you loose. But remember. . . Take it easy the first day!

GOOD LUCK! :)
i just got a new horse and she hasnt been riden for like 9 years and i just got on her and walk,trot,lope and gallop but im a trainer so if iwas you i would get to know her and pet her let her know your not afraid and then if you feel like you are ready then go for it but just go slow with her cause you dont want to get buck off if your a begnner or you dont want to get buck off but if she is a nice mare then you do what you feel safe for ok

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