How to Get Your Horse to Trust You

Horses are sensitive creatures and building a close bond between the horse and rider is an important aspect of riding. When horses have had a bad history with abusive owners in the past, it can be difficult for the horse to trust the new rider. However with time, you can still get the horse to trust you if you do spend time and effort to get to know the horse. In this way, it will be much easier to control the horse when it has confidence in you.

If your horse has never been mistreated but is skittish by virtue, it will also make it harder for the horse to have faith in you. All it takes is some time together. You will reconsider how you approach him. Make sure you move slowly and approach the horse from the left. When approaching a horse with things in your hand, do put your hands in front of you to let him ascertain that there is nothing threatening with what you are holding.

Do not wear baggy outfits when you are moving close to a skittish horse. The wind could pick up your shirt or pants and cause a sudden clothing flapping noise that will spook him. Once they associate you with any kind of fear, it will take much longer for the horse to trust you at all. The horse should never shy away from its owner over anything.

No one should push a horse to do something before he is totally confident. You will want your horse to trust and depend upon you completely before you ask him to jump or go down an unfamiliar terrain. You can instead have him build up his confidence by letting him jump over smaller hurdles and travel down simple, wide and open paths. If he trips and regains his footing, it might make it that much harder for him to have faith in you while attempting it again and you will also doubt his abilities while attempting it again. So long as you know that each of you can trust the other, you will have a safe and successful ride.

If you have a horse that has been abused, it can be nearly impossible to gain the horses trust. You shouldn't give up hope, however. Plenty of horses have come back around after hours and hours of patience and love.

A good way to start with a horse that has been abused is to spend hours talking and sitting with him. Talk with a soft, calming voice and occasionally bring them a treat. Don't try to ride him and definitely don't ask him to do anything he doesn't want to do. It could take days before he is afraid at the very sight of you. Once he doesn't seem to mind your company, you can try to approach him. A frightened horse is a very dangerous animal, so be sure that you do not corner him. Offer him a treat and try to stroke his muzzle. You will know that you are making headway when he is willing to take the treat from your palms!

If you can touch your horse and he lets you pat him, you are nearly there. You still cannot get on the back of a horse that has been badly abused without a professional trainer nearby who has years of experience with abused horses. You do not want to get on the back of a horse who will trust you on the ground, but utterly lose faith once you are on his back.