Saddle training

By Meredith Hodges

Equines need clear and consistent handling practices. Teaching an equine to stand still should not just be trained as a singular task. In order to change behaviors such that they become repeated as new habitual behaviors, one needs to be logical, sequential and consistent in our own behaviors. New behaviors need to be strung together in a logical, progressive sequence and then practiced EXACTLY the same way ALL the time.

Training begins with nutrition and the way your equine is fed. An equine that is fed at a specific time each day is far less stressed than those with inconsistent feeding times and will learn easier. What you feed and how is critical. The equine should ALWAYS be asked to stand still with a verbal WHOA and required to remain back when you open a door, or a gate, until they are asked to WALK ON.

The Lucky Three equines are ALL trained to come when they are called, stand back to wait their turn when coming through the gates and turn around to have their halters put on easily upon request. When these habits are asked consistently, the same way every time, they become HABITUAL behavior. Be cognizant that your own body language and movements are consistent as well. If you ask your equine to WHOA and you keep moving, your example is at odds with what you are asking them to do.

The Lucky Three mules willingly come off the grass pasture at any time of the day when they are beckoned. This is the result of routine management, humane training practices, with a prompt and generous reward system. Not one of our equines is herd-bound as we do not play favorites, we reward everyone for good behavior and we do not ask more than they are physically able to give. We have slowly built deep friendships with them that exceed their relationships with their equine buddies!

Training consists of a logical and sequential way to approach physical conditioning so that we build their bodies with postural balance and core strength in mind. This assures that their physical foundation is adequate to support all the tasks that we might ask from them.

We begin training with Leading Exercises in our postural aid we call the Elbow Pull executed in the Hourglass Pattern. The pattern has designated places where they are asked to halt, square up and are given a crimped oats reward. We wait until they finish chewing the oats before we ask for another movement. This will alleviate any anxiety and is their first real introduction to learning how to stand absolutely still upon request. They are grateful for this personal consideration which greatly improves their mental attitude. Each animal is continually assessed throughout training and the approach is modified according to their individual needs. Being fair, respectful, clear and consistent in handling practices with a carefully planned REWARD system –without bribery or indiscriminant treats – will enhance the pleasure and safety that you will experience during interaction with your equine! Anxiety and resistance is always kept to the bare minimum!

The next introduction to standing still will take place during their Ground Driving exercises. At first, they will again be driven through the Hourglass Pattern in the Elbow Pull postural aid with the verbal command to WHOA for all the designated halts and squaring up. You will put the lines across their rump, walk to the front, and give them their crimped oats reward. Then resume your position behind them and stand absolutely still while they chew their oats. Only allow them to go forward when you give the verbal command to WALK ON.

 As they become stronger in their core strength and are able to hold their good equine posture, you can add obstacles to the lessons. First teach them to go straight through the obstacles with periodic halts, again squaring them up, rewarding and waiting for them to finish chewing before giving the command to WALK ON. Then, repeat the obstacle lessons with strategic halts in the middle of the obstacles while asking them to stand absolutely still. You will eventually be able to phase out the Elbow Pull postural aid.

The next lessons will take place at the Work Station. Go through your usual grooming and saddling routine. Tack up as illustrated in Training Mules and Donkeys DVD #2. Check your animal’s girth to make sure it’s snug enough. You should barely be able to slide your hand between your equine’s side and the girth. Be careful of getting the girth too tight!

Ask your equine to stand quietly while you grasp the saddle at the horn 9Or mane at the withers) and cantle. Put your foot in the stirrup and boost yourself to a standing position at his side. Carefully, lean over his back, talking and petting him until he gets used to your new position. Be sure to reward him from his back on each side.

Slowly get down, go to the other side and repeat the exercise. Initially, you may mount your mule, or donkey, at the work station. First mount horses in the Round Pen where there is no ceiling overhead. Your goal is to get your equine to be at ease with you putting your foot in the stirrup, and lifting yourself over his back. Get him used to weight in the stirrups, the feel of the saddle and some weight on his back.

When he’s calm with this exercise, go to the Round Pen. I prefer to do this preliminary work in an English saddle. It is lighter, easier to handle and less intimidating to the animal.

However, you may prefer to use a Western saddle the first few times you mount in the Round Pen. The stirrups are larger, it’s more stable and the saddle horn might come in handy. Choose the saddle in which you feel most secure.

It’s best to have someone helping you for the next stage in saddle training, so ask a friend to act as your assistant. Have your assistant stand quietly at the mule’s head, but not actually hold him—you have control with your reins.

Your assistant will stand by for safety only and will give the illusion to your animal that he is still just to be lunged, only now with a rider.

Ask your equine to stand quietly with soothing verbal communication. Grasp the saddle at the horn 9or mane at the withers) and cantle, and then boost yourself into a standing position at his side with your foot in the stirrup.

If he spooks, or bolts, just let go of the saddle, but maintain your hold on the left rein so you don’t lose him. Have your assistant allow him slack with the line she (or he) is holding. Quietly, and firmly, ask him to “Whoa,”  get organized and try it again.

Hang off the saddle on the near side and run your hands all over the far side of his body. Do this on both sides. Add swinging your leg over his back. Stay low with your upper body, leaning forward on both sides. Make him pay attention to you by offering the oats reward from each side.

When you mount, drag your right leg firmly against his body. Move your leg gently up his hip, over his rump and down the other side to the stirrup. Don’t plop down like a sack of potatoes! Settle slowly and quietly into the saddle. Dismount on the opposite side from which you mounted each time.

Rock your weight from side to side and let him feel how the saddle moves on his back. Continually reassure him during this procedure by firmly, but gently, touching him all over his body (See IMPRINTING BEYOND BIRTH under TRAINING/MULE CROSSING on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com). Lean forward and ask him to take oats from your hand on both sides to make sure he is aware of where you are on his back. The more movement he can tolerate while standing still and the calmer he is taking the oats from your hand, the better he will do later.

Do only as much of this in any one lesson as he can easily tolerate. Always try to end your lessons on a positive note, and do not get in too much of a hurry—that’s usually where the trouble begins.

Then it is time to get him used to the mounting block in the Round Pen. Do things exactly the same way you have done, in the same order, complete with offering the oats reward from his back on both sides. When he finally stands absolutely still, reward him lavishly and then put him away. With each new lesson review the previous lesson and add a little more to it each time as you are able.

In order to keep your equine calm, and for the sake of safety, to avoid getting your foot caught in a stirrup and run the risk of having your mule drag you, each time you dismount always take both of your feet out of the stirrups.

With one foot still in the stirrup, you’d be in an awkward position. If your equine becomes frightened and shies away, your foot could get stuck in the stirrup and you’d be in big trouble. Practicing good technique will keep you and your equine safe and comfortable during all lessons.

By the time your equine is ready for the open arena or the trail, he will clearly know the meaning of WHOA and will learn to be patient and wait for your command to WALK ON. You will be able to halt him at any time with confidence about his absolute obedience. Too many of us get in a hurry to just get on and go.

When you take the time to go through this process, however slow it might seem, it can save you a lot of potential harm that could result in some pretty extraordinary doctor bills and vet bills for you and your equine. Speeding up, slowing down, halting and backing becomes a representation of your ultimate mutual cooperation with each other!

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.

Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.

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