Understanding the different steps in the breaking-in of a horse to the saddle
The steps decribed here suggest a safe and secure way to get the horse to accept the saddle and the rider. The aim is to mount and ride the horse, first in an enclosed space, and then outside. The rider requires some prior training before attempting to take the horse through these successive steps. We therefore invite the reader to acquire these skills before attempting to put them into practice.
Get the horse to bend around the trainer, to the left, then to the right.
Hind leg flexion
Once the horse is curved, request hind leg flexion by pinching the left hock, then repeat the exercise on the right.
Traction on the lunge line
Exert a slight pressure on the lunge line, facing the horse, and then cease any pressure as soon as the horse shifts his weight forwards towards the trainer. Request mobility in the walk in hand, forward movement, then left and right. Finish the exercise by ensuring that the horse does not resist a sudden tension on the lunge line.
Habituation to the stick
Ensure that the horse does not fear the action of the stick, that he accepts its touch all over his body without reacting to any noise or movements of the sick. Stroke the horse with the stick.
This exercise is then repeated outside the stable by requesting walk/halt and halt/walk transitions towards the left and the right.
First steps in handling the horse, outside the stable
Walking round the trailer several times on the left rein
Have the horse sniff the van by bringing him close to the side and letting him sniff and touch the object, the « equipment ».
Repeat the operation with the trainer walking into the trailer through the small door. Ask the horse to come closer to the door, let him sniff and touch, then make some noises in the trailer with your feet on the floor of the trailer.
Loading into the trailer
Once the horse has moved up to the ramp, ask him to get onto the ramp and into the trailer by walking into the van in front of him, using pressure on the lunge and the action of the stick.
Habituation to being touched in the trailer
When the horse is loaded in the trailer, accustom him to being touched all over the body with particular attention paid to handling the tail.
Trotting in hand
Begin this exercise by running in front of the horse and associating the voice command « trot », then move back towards the horse. Request transitions walk/trot by associating tension on the lunge to a voice command and the action of the stick, adopt the following order : pressure + voice, then stick.
Do up the girth (without excessively tightening), undo it and repeat the operation.
Request the first step with the saddle, preferably to the side and to the left, then requset transitions walk/halt and halt /walk in the stable, both to the left and to the right.
Leading the saddled horse out of the stable
Come out of the stable and request the first steps at a trot with the saddle. Request transitions walk/halt, halt/walk, walk/trot, trot/walk, on both the left and right.
Habituation to the noise and movements of the saddle
Handle the horse’s tail to divide up the previous exercise. Move the tail from the left, then from the right, and have the horse enter and exit the trailer several times in beween manipulating the saddle and the tail.
Keep the horse still on a curve, put your foot in the stirrup, and follow through by getting onto the saddle, the rider should remain close to the shoulder mass and to the withers, while raising one’s voice, take care to put your foot in the right stirrup as well.
Straighten the horse out, reassure with the voice, put the horse back into a curve before dismounting, taking care to remain « close to the horse » while dismounting.
Repeat the exercise straight away.
First steps in the stable
Request the first ridden step by taking up a contact with the horse’s mouth. The voice command is associated to the action of the stick. Lighten your seat by putting your weight on the stirrups, and move your pelvis forward in the direction you want to go. Ask for transitions walk/halt and halt/walk, both to the left and to the right.
First steps outside
Move out of the stable and take the horse round the yard on both reins, the first time round and the change of rein can be carried out with a second person walking in front of the horse. Finish the session and dismount once you have requested immobility with the horse curved.
Trotting
Bridle the horse before putting the saddle on, and lunge the horse by clipping the lunge to the bit on the outer side, with the lunge line going over the poll (« Colbert » method). Lead the horse out of the stable. Ask for a few transitions in hand : halt, walk and trot.
Take the horse back into the stable, remove the lunge line and replace with reins. Mount in the stable. Ask for a few transitions : halt/walk, walk/halt on both reins.
Leave the stable whilst remaining in the saddle, and after a walk round the yard, ask for a few strides at a trot. Repeat the exercise on both reins.
When riding out choose a « boxed in » track, ride down this track at a walk, then trot, in both directions, then go back to the stable at a walk.
Lead the horse out of the stable, saddled and bridled, with the lunge line attached to the bit « Colbert » method. Request a few transitions halt, walk and trot.
Once the horse has been led round the arena track at a walk, changing rein on a diagonal at both reins, lead the horse back to the stable and mount using a mounting block or a step. Take the horse round the yard once or twice at a walk, then ask for transitions walk/trot/halt.
Leave the yard and ride the horse to the arena at a walk, go round the entire arena at a walk before asking the horse to trot. Go back to a walk to change reins on the diagonal and start off on the other rein at a walk before asking the horse to trot. Go round the arena at a trot, transition to walk, and circle in front of the open gate. Take the horse back to the stable.
Outdoor track or course
Mount using a mounting block or step if necessary, walk the horse round the track or course, then go round it again this time carrying out several walk/trot transitions. After the second round, ask for a few canter strides. Do the same on the other rein. Go back to the stable at a walk.
Rigorously following these different steps, making sure after each step that the horse has assimilated the exercises proposed, enables a safe progression in the work. Once again it is essential that the steps be repeated, and their implementation requires experience and being careful.
It is important to emphasize that there should not be a break in the beginning of the horse’s education called backing, or breaking-in and the following steps in the progression.
Being accurate and coherent added to the state of mind in which these learning steps are performed will guarantee a successful cooperation.
Know more about our authors
Translated from french by : Karen DUFFY Translator
Nicolas BLONDEAU Instructeur d’équitation BEES2, titulaire du BFEE3 - Ecole Blondeau à Saumur
Sophie BARREAU Enseignante BEES1, titulaire du BFEE2 - Ecole Blondeau à Saumur
