New VocationsRacehorse Adoption Program

By Dot Morgan

In Part I we bitted the horse in preparation for riding. The first ride should take place at the end of a bitting session. It’s advisable to have a helper hold the horse when mounting the first time and be situated in a round pen or arena.

If it’s a Standardbred that has never been ridden, slowly ease into the saddle, reassuring the horse with soothing words and gentle stroking. If the horse seems the least bit apprehensive this can be safely done in a stall or with the horse’s face against the fence or side of the barn. Seeing a rider on its back for the first time can be unnerving, but after a few minutes of encouragement, the horse will relax. The rider should lean in all directions petting the horse’s shoulders, rump, and sides. The lesson should conclude with several mounts and dismounts, standing quietly for a couple of minutes between each.

Thoroughbreds are accustomed to walking off as soon as the rider is boosted into the saddle. They normally do not stand quietly while mounted. It is very important that horses of both breeds learn this fundamental lesson before moving onto the next step. Walking off should not be allowed until the horse has accepted standing quietly when mounted and remains so with the rider in place. It usually only takes one or two short ten minute lessons to accomplish this goal.

The next phase should be spent walking quietly while mounted with intermittent stopping and standing. It can be in a ring or up and down the driveway, but not in an open field. It’s helpful and more interesting if there are obstacles to go over and around. This is a time to re-enforce the bitting lessons and teach the horse to yield to leg pressure. Though the pace is slow, be creative. Execute patterns around pylons and over ground poles. As the horse progesses move out of the confines, maneuver through gates and around trees or vehicles. A minimum of three to four sessions should be spent in this manner before moving into the trot for the first time.

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