How a Horse Learns

Training a horse is as necessary as making sure your child gets a proper education. You should make sure to train him in all the techniques that cure bad habits and improve the bonding relationship between you and your horse.

Following are some characteristics of horses and how they learn:

1. Obedience: It is one of the most important characteristics of a horse. A horse learns obedience through repetition and rewards. To make your horse obedient it is very important to train him at a young age. A horse learns to respond to verbal commands at a young age. Proper training and rewards can make your horse respond to the verbal command of the rider. If your horse is not trained it becomes difficult to handle or control it. Generally, professional riders do not inflict physical pain, but instead, tap the horse at an appropriate spot.
2. Gait: A horse learns dressage by being conditioned to respond to its rider’s weight shifting and signals from reins. Cues are given to the horse when the rider applies pressure with his legs. Cues are given to a horse when the rider adjusts the pressure and position of each rein. Cues are given to a horse when the rider shifts weight on the saddle. Such cues are known as aids. In the first stage, a horse learns how to respond to the rider’s leg signals as well as weight-shifting signals. The horse needs daily practice to get familiar with such aid and will respond accordingly.
3. Combine motion: Once you are successful to train your horse to respond to your commands, then it is time to train him for combined moves. One type of combined move is called rearing up. In this type of motion, a horse responds to the combination of leg aids and rider weight shifts followed by rein signals to stop forward movement. Responding to these three signals, a horse can do other movements as well, including sidestepping, bowing and turning on point, etc. Once combination moves are firmly established in a horse repertoire they can be choreographed in a way that looks like they are dancing to the spectator.
4. Bit and Rinse: Bit is a mouthpiece for a horse. The reins are connected to the bit and are a conduit for the horse to receive signals from its rider. The horse feels the pressure on one or both of the reins and judges where the rider wants to move. A horse learns to take a wide turn or tight turn by feeling how the reins are draped near its neck and how much pressure there is on the bit. These are some of the tips which can help train a horse and to know how the horse learns their control and can train them accordingly.

See more: Horse Water Trough