How to Train a Quarter Horse

How to Train a Quarter Horse. Quarter Horses are normally easy to train due to their calm and friendly dispositions. Be prepared to go slowly and spend a lot of time with your horse. Here are some steps and tips to make the process go smoothly.

Things Needed

• Rope halter with integrated lead rope
• Grooming aids such as brushes and combs
• Long, large cotton rope
• Headstall with bit or hackamore
• Saddle and blanket
• Driving reins at least 20 feet long
• Riding boots or shoes
• Protective headgear

Step 1

Get the horse used to having you near it. Do things that feel good to the horse so it associates you with pleasure, like hand feeding, grooming, and rubbing the horse all over.

Step 2

Begin haltering the Quarter Horse as soon as possible and train it to follow you on a lead rope. If the horse resists leading, loop a large cotton rope over the hind quarters and pull gently on it as you go forward with the lead rope in your other hand.

Step 3

Tie the horse up after it is leading well and train it to stand tied. Use a strong anchor point, such as a large post buried deep, and a rope halter with a strong, integrated lead rope. Tie a quick release knot in case of emergency and make sure there is nothing close the horse can hurt itself on if it jumps around.

Step 4

Handle the legs and feet after it has become accustomed to standing tied. Pick up each foot and hold it for a few seconds. Rub and praise the horse when he lets you do this.

Step 5

Saddle and bridle the horse and let her wear them while you lead her, or just tie the reins up and turn the horse loose for a while in a small corral, as you keep an eye on her.

Step 6

Put some long reins on the horse and run them back through the stirrups, then get behind the horse and drive him from the ground. Do this in a small corral or round pen the first time and take it very slowly. This teaches them what you want when you pull on the reins, with you safely on the ground.

Step 7

Mount the Quarter Horse for the first time in a small enclosure. Go up slowly, even letting yourself back down a few times from a half-mount, until the horse is no longer concerned. If you have done the ground work correctly, the horse will already know what you want him to do when you turn him or pull back on the reins.

Step 8

Ride the horse 20 minutes to an hour at least 3 days a week at first. Keep graduating to larger and larger enclosures until you are riding free and the Quarter Horse accepts you as just a part of her day. You can now branch out into specialized training for whatever discipline you want to teach the horse.

Warnings

• Use a gentle bit, such as a ring snaffle, or use a training hackamore to start out with.
• Tie the stirrups together underneath the horse's girth before running the long reins through them to keep them from raising up over the back as you turn or if the horse bolts.
• Some trainers prefer to begin riding their Quarter Horse with just a halter and no saddle. You will want to introduce your horse to both ways of being ridden.

Warnings

• Never hurry when working with a horse. Stay calm and the horse will stay calm too.
• Stand to the side of the horse when picking up the feet to avoid being in the line of fire. Run you hands down each leg several times before you attempt to pick up a foot.
• Have an assistant with you the first few rides on your Quarter Horse.
• Wear protective headgear and boots or shoes with a pronounced heel.