How To Train Wild Horses

Wild Horse Training - In Hand:

What is in-hand when it comes to horse training? This is the ability to teach the horse the basics. This is also the ability to get the horse from one point to another in the best possible and trained manner. By using in-hand training, you are preparing the horse. And yes, training the horse to take the next training steps such as eventually riding. With in-hand training, you are doing nothing but the basics.

What will you need?

You will need a halter, a lead, bridle, obstacles like tarp, plastic, concrete, a platform, plywood, or poles in the ground. Other obstacles you will want might include a flat and a tractor. These are necessary to in-hand training and will help you and your horse become accustomed with the basics.

Your Goals - The First Set Of Basics:

Through this type of training, you will be teaching your horse many things. The first step in in-hand training is that your horse can be easily caught. This means that you can easily get to the horse without much hassle or running. The second goal is that you can smoothly halter the horse. Again, this means without bucking, bolting, biting or any other bad exhibits of behavior.

The third goal is the ability to safely turn the horse loose. This means that you will not have to deal with wheeling or rearing of any sort. After you and your horse have mastered these initial goals, you can move on to "bigger and better". It is important that both of you feel comfortable in moving forward. If there are still behavior issues, start back at step one. Or at the very least, the step in which you start to notice problems.

Moving Forward:

Now, the next set of goals are a little more difficult and will require a great deal of time and patience. This is where walking and some maneuvers come into play. In order to graduate from in-hand training, your horse should be able to calmly walk with the handler on either side, near or off. Once this is accomplished, you will move onto maneuvers. You want these to be performed calmly no matter which side the handler might be on. This includes walking, trotting, stopping, turning left or right, backing, turning on hindquarters or forehand, and halting.

Obstacles:

You want to be able to easily lead your horse with a bridle or halter and away from the others without troubles, then you can start on obstacles. Some horses get spooked when the ground levels or feel changes or when other elements are presented. You want to be able to calmly lead your horse over things such as tarp, plastic, concrete, platforms, plywood, and ground poles. Once this is mastered, you should try taking them past obstacles which might include fences, tractors, or a flag.